Battery - Traction v Leisure

[SPR]

i been telling people to buy Leisure Batteries, but people are now suggesting that a Traction Battery Might be better.

I have 50 HP Yamaha four stroke with auto Rule 500 bidge pump thats left on.

Been thinking goin to two battery system or putting in 110 A hr battery instead the 80 A Hr.

I know this might end up, as person choice but what are your thoughts?

[Pete7]

This is worth a read and then cost up deep discharge batteries like Trojans because they are not cheap. 110 amp battery looks rather large for a 50 hp outboard and bilge pump, how about 2 x 60 amp normal lead acid batteries of a reasonable make say Varta? If the pump is left on then you should fit a solar panel to keep the "house" battery topped up.

http://www.sterling-power.com/support-faq-2.htm

Barden batteries are a little expensive but a good website to compare others to:

http://www.barden-uk.com/

[SPR]

thanks Pete,

It was an article like that or that article that caused my question, plus a diesel course.

Anybody have the definitive answer?

I am edging to the 60 amp traction battery option as suggested...

S.

[doggypaddle]

I can give you a fairly definitive answer based on the experience i gained working on electric vehicles.

Full traction batteries are capable of being charged with very high currents,
and of being cycled many times, unlike SLA (starting lighting and auxiliary batteries). they are more robust mechanically and electrically than SLA and leisure batteries. which TBH aren't much beter than a heavy duty SLA especially the cheap ones.
However any battery left in a discharged or partially discharged state will start to sulphate, which will ruin the battery and is a largley irreversible process, the way around this is to keep them charged all the time, and recharge immediately after discharge.

so to sum it up any lead acid battery left in a state of partial charge is buggering up as time ticks by.
regular charging or more capacity to lessen the depth of discharge will help;

[SPR]

Thanks, bought a 65A traction battery will see how it goes this year.....

If all goes well i buy another next year, this means i have two different age battery's and hopefully they both will not fail together.....

S.