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Re: batteries

> Those who may already have operating wessels: what are you using for
> batteries, assuming you used electric motors.
> 
> Those who are just building or just planning: what are you thinking about
> using for batteries?
> 
> I guess it depends on how gung-ho you're getting about speed/range, but....
> lead-acid (old car batteries, new car batteries, marine "deep-cycle"
> batteries, industrial/golf cart batteries like the ones I'm using in my
> solar powered house?)? More exotic and expensive NiCd's or ??? I may have
> found a source, if I'm willing to wait, for retired telephone co.
> lead-acids, around 300+ amp-hour 6 volt ones they take out of service with
> PLENTY of safety margin. Also, the local junkyard, er, auto recycling
> center, sells reconditioned biggish car batteries for $20.
> 
> 
>  - David
> <Buchner@mega-com.com>
> 
> 
> 

The LAST thing you want in a closed, life support, pressure vessel is 
H2SO4
and hydrogen gas!!!  One spark and BOOM!!! STAY AWAY FROM CAR BATTERIES!!!
(Not to mention what happens when they come in contact with sea water!)
The so-called maintenance free batteries are not truly sealed either.

What you want is a sealed, gelled electrolyte lead acid battery with
Absorbant Glass Mat technology which prevents hydrogen off-gassing.  The 
cheapest form of this would probably be a deep-cycle gell marine battery
such as the Exide Nautilus Mega-Cycle gell battery.  These are available
special order from K-mart for about $100 in a type 27 format.  These are 
designed to operate even if totally submerged in water.  This is the style
I plan on using in my sub (4 total).
--
Al Secor
e-mail: secor@btv.ibm.com