Anyone use Carbon Fibre Batteries?

[Gludy]

In looking through old posts on this forum, it appears that noone to date has mentioned the use of the new carbon fibre deep cycle batteries. I have used these batteries for a few years now on a number os small boats and would never go back to the old deep ccucle batteries. These new batteries outperform the normal deep cycle batteries in every way and, in the longer term with the extended guarantee work out cheaper.
So has anyone tried them? If so what has been your experience?

 

[Geoffs]

Never heard of this type of battery. What are they, are they based on lead/acid or some other technology? Who supplies them? You make them sound interesting.

 

[Gludy]

They are based on carbon fibre/acid. They were invented in the UK a few years back and are manufactured over here. I have a trout lake with 6 electric outboard boats on it. Until these batteries came along I was using 1 or even 2 batteries per boat per annum (deep cycle lead acid). With these batteries I am guaranteed for 3 or 4 years and have never had to replace one,. They are lighter for their power output and give almost full power for a much longer period of time, with the drop off coming sharper than with lead/acid. One of these under test was submerged for 6 months with a full charge and then taken out of the water - it held 90% of its charge after that time. They cost 20% to 30% more than your lead acid deep cycle but they last and last - besides being smaller and lighter. They make electric canel barges viable.
If you want to know more, I will look up the full details and post them on the forum. They are called Elecsol batteries.

 

[stuartw]

Yes I agree with Gludy. They have been recommended to me by another manufacturer. They are in fact a conventional lead acid battery. The difference is that the lead plates are suported by a carbon fibre mesh, which supposedly allows both deep cycle and high cranking current, while keeping the size low. If you want to know more visit their website on www.elecsol.com - very informative.
rgds
Stuart