ALPHALINE Leisure batteries cannot be topped up?

[VicMallows]

I have just bought two Alphaline 88Ah 'Leisure' batteries from Battery Megastore.

The batteries are described as 'sealed lead-calcium'. I have bought such batteries in the past and although they have been described as 'sealed for life' it has always been easy to prise off a cover and be able to top them up if required.

These latest batteries really do seem to be sealed! ... looks like the only way to top them up if necessary (and how do you check?) will be to drill holes through the top.

If, like me, you tend to charge your batteries hard be aware. (A Sterling regulator set for flooded lead-acid batteries will charge at 14.8v for 1 hour irrespective of the initial state of charge of the battery).

 

[captainboo]

I have a pair of Numax sealed batteries that appear to be 'sealed' as a tentative pry with a screwdriver appeared to do nothing! Manufacturers probably find it easier to permanently seal them now and you probably end up buying new ones earlier!

 

[pvb]

If, like me, you tend to charge your batteries hard be aware. (A Sterling regulator set for flooded lead-acid batteries will charge at 14.8v for 1 hour irrespective of the initial state of charge of the battery).

That sort of voltage shouldn't be a problem with lead/calcium maintenance-free batteries. My old boat had an Adverc regulator which would regularly chuck out 14.8v and the maintenance-free batteries would typically last about 8 years.

 

[Cardo]

Our 125 Ah Alphaline batteries also seem to be properly sealed. I've tried at them with a screw driver a few times but have given up.

Still trying to work out where our capacity has gone. Latest thought is they've sulphated up!

 

[Sailfree]

Sealed batteries are compulsory for charter coded yachts.

Don't think there is anything on the required list for charter coding that is not there for a sensible reason.