Hi Victor,
Flooded cell batteries will last longer than AGM or any batteries in the starved electrolyte class of batteries.
AGM batts suffer two distinct disadvantages.
1. In time the pressure relief valves will leak and dehydrate the cells leading to a short life span.
2. Compared with flooded cells, your choices of chargers may be limited as the AGM has a reduced charging voltage. Use of a flooded cell charger on an AGM battery will unseat the pressure relief valves, dehydrate the cells and result in premature death.
Should you have concerns about escaped electrolyte in the battery box, merely sprinkle a lot of baking sode in the bottom of the box.
Also, there is no need to fill to the split ring with flooded. All that is required is to insure the plates are covered. Make up water should ALWAYS be done with Steam distilled water.
Make up distilled water is only added after a charge cycle, not before. Filling to the split ring before charging will result in electrolyte being blown out the vents.
This occurs as the battery comes to a full charge and gases. The gas bubbles clinging to the plates will displace the electrolyte in the cells causing the level to rise and overflow.
Don
Some folks make the mistake of
> I've finally found a good source for drive pulleys, bearings and so on so thanks to all the advice here on this site.
> Now to batteries - would flooded work? I have a steel boat and there are some who think this is a bad combination although the batteries would be in a sealed compartment and well vented to outside. Really, how many people here with sailboats have mopped the acid out of their bilges or battery boxes due to flooded cells? I don't recall this being a serious issue 25 years ago when all you could get were flooded deep cycles in your sailboat. Can't say after a spell of rough water I've had to clean up a mess from the batteries. In fact right now I have a fully topped up deep cycle battery keeled over about 15 degrees from vertical and I'm rolling it from side to side and nothing is spilling out. After a minute, still dry on top. I might swing it around the room some but knowing my luck the strap will break and it'll go through the wall. Opinions? Experiences?
> What would be the real advantage of AGM's aside from the obvious of little gassing and maintenance, mounting? Prices - ouch! Never liked that little detail about them.
> And part 2: I've been recommended an AC drive system for the boat (36ft, steel hull, about 17,500# displ) since the Et-rT motor may not be able to cut it, even at 60v. Man, I'm starting to get that feeling again from when I started building the boat years ago - too many opinions and not enough real experience. Boating is rife with this dilemma, just like hunting and, well, most subjects now that I think of it. I appreciate the caution but can anyone REALLY say I need a lot of power or necessarily AC for this project? Skip the regen issue for now. Again, lay the advice on me and some experiences if you've got them.
> Again, appreciate the help.
>
> Victor
>
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