Battery types explained in plain words

[Spi D]

After final rounds, filtering versions of the type that were not the excact number, a decision has been made.

One Vision 6FM100DX has been sourced at £160 - with a terminal adapter set FOC.

FYI the versions that confused things were

6FM100D
6FM100LPX
6FM100PX
6FM100X

Propably good batteries as well (Pure Lead), but not AGM and at lower specs (stamina).

 

[Hurricane]

Thats interesting - as you said in above posts - AGMs specified to work at 60 deg C.
Are you prepared to say where you sourced them?

EDIT
The 6FM134-X 1 ones might fit in my battery box.
Worth me considering.

 

[Spi D]

Thats interesting - as you said in above posts - AGMs specified to work at 60 deg C.
Are you prepared to say where you sourced them?

Oh, yes indeed. Can't say however if of much use to others as is was a local (to me) vendor:
http://hellers.dk/2013-01-26-14-49-57/batterier/DB6FM100/vision-agm-batteri-100-ah

A hunt might reveal similar offers elsewhere. Shipping of items @32 kg can be done but at a cost.

I'd make an effort to get the DX. Somewhere called D-X btw.

Edit: The manufacturer has an EU representation in the Netherlands.
http://www.vision-batt.eu/products/6fm100d-x-4

 

[BartW]

FYI,
I have 2 times purchased battery's from "Barden UK"
they are a specialised company and gave me good prices and service (ordering and delivery to Belgium went smooth)
as they are in UK, might be interesting to some folks on here.
no connection, just a happy customer

 

[Spi D]

The 6FM134-X 1 ones might fit in my battery box.
Worth me considering.

DX series are AGM, so that would be the 6FM134DX then. 40 kg each

 

[Hurricane]

DX series are AGM, so that would be the 6FM134DX then. 40 kg each

Thanks for that
I'm now reconsidering AGMs
My concerns about temperature are discussed here (post 2 is the most relevant)
http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk...rs/Leoch-160AH-AGM-or-Exide-140AH-FLA-/40594/
But the first statement on this page from Mastervolt implies that AGM and Gel are designed to 25 deg C
http://www.mastervolt.com/news/charging-batteries/

Anyway, you have got me rethinking AGMs.
AGM's seem safer - little or no dangerous hydrogen gas to ventilate
So I've started to get some spec sheets together to compare standard lead acid with AGMs

 

[Spi D]

If possible you probably could low the ambient temperatur for the batteries by ventilation?

Without knowing your boat, some ideas:
Direct air supply to battery banks - low power fans (as in coputer PSU's)
Build separating walls between battery banks and engine
Sea water cooled space - somehow
Improve engine room ventilation (would improve engine life quality as well)

 

[Hurricane]

If possible you probably could low the ambient temperatur for the batteries by ventilation?

Without knowing your boat, some ideas:
Direct air supply to battery banks - low power fans (as in coputer PSU's)
Build separating walls between battery banks and engine
Sea water cooled space - somehow
Improve engine room ventilation (would improve engine life quality as well)

Thanks for that but there is little that I can do - all the batteries are packed in side by side.
There is ventilation but thats to take any nasty gasses out of the boat.

FYI - I came across this paper this morning.
Depressing reading.
http://prod.sandia.gov/techlib/access-control.cgi/2004/043149.pdf

Not 100% relevant but interesting and shows the problems that we all have even though some people don't know it.
Here's an extract about charging:
If you need to replace 100 amp hours in 4 hours, then you need at least 25 amps. However, the truth is that you will need 30 to 40 amps or more and probably 6 to 8 hours because of the way that chargers and batteries behave after the battery is 80% recharged.
NOTE: It is more difficult, and it takes a lot longer to replenish the last 20% of the battery charge than it does to replenish the first 80% of the battery charge.


Now add a higher than design temperature and the problem gets more intense.

 

[Spi D]

If you need to replace 100 amp hours in 4 hours, then you need at least 25 amps. However, the truth is that you will need 30 to 40 amps or more and probably 6 to 8 hours because of the way that chargers and batteries behave after the battery is 80% recharged.
NOTE: It is more difficult, and it takes a lot longer to replenish the last 20% of the battery charge than it does to replenish the first 80% of the battery charge.

And that is why I always tell people to allow their intelligent chargers to complete all stages. It may or may not take the time they expect, but by doing it's job it def. will help the batteries serve as best possible.

No comparison whatsoever to traditional chargers (still have their purpose though - just takes more intelligence from the user).

The manufacturer stated that first charge of my new 100 Ah AGM should be 48 hrs with a constant rate charger at 14.4 v. The dealer said that I didn't need to bother as they came ready to use from the importer, but I of course had to check at home. My Ring 16 charger immediately detected the state (100%) then started charging at 13,9v, 2 A. Soon regulated to 14,4v and 0,9 A. After an hour or so switched to maintaining.

Cool. Hopefully the Xantrex system on the boat will receive the batteri as well, but that remains to be seen.