Does using solar degrade my batteries?

[Refueler]

I think you're just taking advantages of me now because I said I was a tech numpty .
Anyway, these are what I have
ProMotive AGM

Honest - no insult or anything implied or intended ...

OK - the batterys you have are designed for truckers where they have diesel heaters / maybe tail lift as well ...

They state a 1200CCA ... so designed to start engines .... so are not a deep cycle battery - but being AGM - you will have slightly more capacity than an equivalent non AGM.

IMHO - good batterys and worth looking after. Far better than the crap I put in my boats !!

 

[Irish Rover]

Honest - no insult or anything implied or intended ...

None taken. My comment wasn't serious. I appreciate your input.

 

[thinwater]

I'm not sure what it is you're trying to say?

Generating electricity with a diesel is an extremely wasteful and pollutional process, with relatively low overall conversion efficiencies . Propane would have made more sense for cooking, particularly frying. Just my opinion.

The folks on the forum have done a good job of explaining SOC, what batteries like, and how to treat them. For a cruiser with complex and power-intensive systems, this understanding is as vital as sail trim.

 

[Refueler]

Generating electricity with a diesel is an extremely wasteful and pollutional process, with relatively low overall conversion efficiencies . Propane would have made more sense for cooking, particularly frying. Just my opinion.

The folks on the forum have done a good job of explaining SOC, what batteries like, and how to treat them. For a cruiser with complex and power-intensive systems, this understanding is as vital as sail trim.

But are you replying in context of the OP's opening post ? Doesn't appear to be.

 

[Irish Rover]

Generating electricity with a diesel is an extremely wasteful and pollutional process, with relatively low overall conversion efficiencies . Propane would have made more sense for cooking, particularly frying. Just my opinion.

One of us is lost, and I don't think it's me.

 

[thinwater]

One of us is lost, and I don't think it's me.

Forums are a watercooler conversations and they resist all efforts of steering. Yes, I wondered, but that does not suggest I am lost.

High resistance loads on a 12V system are, IMO, poor design. The consequences are those you were conserved about in your first post, so we're not far off topic. My thoughts were more of a warning to others that don't see the downside of high electric loads. Propane is still more practical than all-elelctic, IMO, but it's just my opinion. Also, if you do have an electric system failure (inverter?), and many modern power systems are beyond the average owner to debug, your food will be raw. Why not have two possible methods (electric and fuel)? For example, I have a microwave, hot plate, propane stove, and propane grill. If I lose power to the solenoid it can easily be removed (happened once--took 5 minutes).

 

[PaulRainbow]

Forums are a watercooler conversations and they resist all efforts of steering. Yes, I wondered, but that does not suggest I am lost.

High resistance loads on a 12V system are, IMO, poor design. The consequences are those you were conserved about in your first post, so we're not far off topic. My thoughts were more of a warning to others that don't see the downside of high electric loads. Propane is still more practical than all-elelctic, IMO, but it's just my opinion. Also, if you do have an electric system failure (inverter?), and many modern power systems are beyond the average owner to debug, your food will be raw. Why not have two possible methods (electric and fuel)? For example, I have a microwave, hot plate, propane stove, and propane grill. If I lose power to the solenoid it can easily be removed (happened once--took 5 minutes).

Have you been drinking ?

He said he doesn't want to use the generator. But, if the inverter fails he can use it, no raw food.

 

[Thresher]

Just keep this going a bit longer...
I have also been wondering the same thing as the OP.
I know from experience that a lead acid battery in a car, kept fully charged all the time can last 10 years or so.
On my boat I regularly, on a daily basis, as a liveaboard run my batteries down to 50% and then fully charge them again.
By how many years am i shortening the life of my batteries by doing this?

Estimates only please (preferably from experience), no calculations or anything technical and no recommendations that I do anything differently.
Thank you.

 

[Refueler]

Just keep this going a bit longer...
I have also been wondering the same thing as the OP.
I know from experience that a lead acid battery in a car, kept fully charged all the time can last 10 years or so.
On my boat I regularly, on a daily basis, as a liveaboard run my batteries down to 50% and then fully charge them again.
By how many years am i shortening the life of my batteries by doing this?

Estimates only please (preferably from experience), no calculations or anything technical and no recommendations that I do anything differently.
Thank you.

Charged agressively - I would look to 3 - 5yrs ....

Charged less agressively - 5 - 7yrs ...

But I would be considering over 5yrs a bonus on any LA battery on a boat - given the crap we subject them to ...

Do not forget that most cars do not achieve 100% on a charge ... it falls short of that in the low to mid 90's% ... its why on boats - Sterling and similar company's sold boosters to try extract that last few % etc.

 

[Thresher]

Charged agressively - I would look to 3 - 5yrs ....

Charged less agressively - 5 - 7yrs ...

But I would be considering over 5yrs a bonus on any LA battery on a boat - given the crap we subject them to ...

Do not forget that most cars do not achieve 100% on a charge ... it falls short of that in the low to mid 90's% ... its why on boats - Sterling and similar company's sold boosters to try extract that last few % etc.

Aggressively, thats interesting and something i hadn't considered.
Would Aggressively be using a 240v battery charger with the 'rapid charge' switch on?
I assume solar charging and charging from the boat engine wouldn't be aggresìve?

 

[Refueler]

Aggressively, thats interesting and something i hadn't considered.
Would Aggressively be using a 240v battery charger with the 'rapid charge' switch on?
I assume solar charging and charging from the boat engine wouldn't be aggresìve?

Agressive is when you replace the alternator on your engine to a significantly more powerful version ... it also is related to the max charge rate that is noted on the battery label. Pushing it really too aggressive and you can gas up the battery .. even bubbling the electrolyte .. this can be extremely dangerous due to the gas given off.

I have a shore charger that can whack out 70A ... but the manual makes it clear to only use it to get a battery up to a reasonable state - then revert to standard rates.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Aggressively, thats interesting and something i hadn't considered.
Would Aggressively be using a 240v battery charger with the 'rapid charge' switch on?
I assume solar charging and charging from the boat engine wouldn't be aggresìve?

If you have a "rapid charge" switch, i guess that's an automotive charger ? What make and model ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Just keep this going a bit longer...
I have also been wondering the same thing as the OP.
I know from experience that a lead acid battery in a car, kept fully charged all the time can last 10 years or so.
On my boat I regularly, on a daily basis, as a liveaboard run my batteries down to 50% and then fully charge them again.
By how many years am i shortening the life of my batteries by doing this?

Estimates only please (preferably from experience), no calculations or anything technical and no recommendations that I do anything differently.
Thank you.

With such constraints it's hardly worth replying.

 

[Thresher]

If you have a "raoid charge" switch, i guess that's an automotive charger ? What make and model ?

I don't have one.

 

[Thresher]

With such constraints it's hardly worth replying.

That's ok, it's already been answered.

 

[Irish Rover]

Forums are a watercooler conversations and they resist all efforts of steering. Yes, I wondered, but that does not suggest I am lost.

High resistance loads on a 12V system are, IMO, poor design. The consequences are those you were conserved about in your first post, so we're not far off topic. My thoughts were more of a warning to others that don't see the downside of high electric loads. Propane is still more practical than all-elelctic, IMO, but it's just my opinion. Also, if you do have an electric system failure (inverter?), and many modern power systems are beyond the average owner to debug, your food will be raw. Why not have two possible methods (electric and fuel)? For example, I have a microwave, hot plate, propane stove, and propane grill. If I lose power to the solenoid it can easily be removed (happened once--took 5 minutes).

 

[PaulRainbow]

I don't have one.

So how do you charge your batteries then ?

 

[Thresher]

So how do you charge your batteries then ?

Engine (only when underway, I'm underway a lot) and solar.