Battery question

[Barnacle_Bill]

I can't find it now but it seems like I read somewhere that you shouldn't use maintenance free batteries with an unregulated system. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Battery question

With an unregulated system, the battery often being overcharged. When the battery is overcharged, it will produce lots of hydrogen and oxygen that simply escapes into the atmosphere. Eventually, you'll need to add water to make up for loss.<br />There's no way to add water to a maintenance free battery. In other words, maintain it.

 

[ED21]

Re: Battery question

I think the higher voltage of an unregulated system tends to cause the electrolyte to boil away & it can't be replaced.<br />Maintenance Free = Maintenance Proof

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Take a good look at most marine batteries though, as its not sealed...you can pry the two caps off, they just look sealed

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Battery question

Thanks for the replies. I'm currently using a Stowaway and the caps cannot be removed.

 

[Boilermaker]

Re: Battery question

Are there batterys with the "OLD " screw-on style caps still being manufactured???<br />>>> I have an unregulated charging system (1978 Johnson 115)"Maintance Free" 24 series battery with "pry-off" type caps. I haven't had problems with low electrolite yet>>>but I DO check it from time to time. My understanding is to use a larger battery or run 2 in parallel>>>I was told (by my mechanic & someone on this board), this will help prevent over-voltage problems.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Even batteries that look "sealed" aint. Stick a screwdriver in the groove around either of the two long retangular caps...yes, they are caps...and pry a little at a time all around. You will be amazed.......fill with water (distilled) as needed, but they usually don't use much as they have great recovery systems built in, but they aint sealed.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Originally posted by......<br />There's no way to add water to a maintenance free battery. In other words, maintain it.

See my post above..they might be maintenance FREE, but they are not SEALED, and you can maintain it by adding water...trust me

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Let me clarify this a last time. If your battery is sealed there are no visible caps. This is a AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)or GEL battery, and is indeed maintenance free, and the gases NEVER escape (too long a story to get into here). People of late have been caught up in some trap of not seeing the 6 seperate caps of old, and THINKING ITS MAINTENANCE FREE. Only thing is these new batts have one cap for 3 cells. Its a reservoir for the gases to collect, and condense back to water, and fall back into the cell. You can pry these off and see for yourself. I just pulled my 20 footer out, pryed and found a pretty dry battery because I forgot to check it (too many toys). And only one out of 6 boat owners around me knew they were caps.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Originally posted by Boilermaker:<br /> >>> I have "Maintance Free" 24 series battery with "pry-off" type caps.

Do we see where the confusion is coming from?

 

[Boilermaker]

Re: Battery question

I'm not confused >>>>well about this anyway! <br />Its advertised as a "MAINTANCE FREE" Battery>>dual purpose>>Starting/Deepcycle>> 24 series marine battery. <br />It HAS 2 rectangular pry off covers that contain 3 cell covers in each. 6 wet cells>>>NO CONFUSION! now if I forget to check them and they run dry>>>I will claim that YOU confused me.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Originally posted by Boilermaker:<br /> I'm not confused

I wasn't saying you are confused, just thats where the confusion comes from....<br />Now I'm confused

 

[justin walker]

Re: Battery question

I may not be confused but I am surprised. Didn't realize "maintenance free" could be opened/checked. I have a two year old starting battery, should I check it and if so how often?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Battery question

Originally posted by ThankGodSheRuns:<br /> I have a two year old starting battery, should I check it and if so how often?

If it has two long retangular caps, pry them off and look. I only check mine before and after the season, but depends on usage.