Maintance free or ordinary battery

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saltyrob

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Hi Folks

After much pondering have decided on 'leisure type' battery for both cranking and domestic supply of volts.Are there any advantages/disadvantages between an ordinary battery which can be topped up and a sealed maintance free type.

Many thanks

Rob
 
My batteries are not easy to view (electrolyte level) so your question answers itself for my boat- sealed for life is the way to go for me
 
I've also gone 'Maintenance Free' for the new battery I bought earlier this year. From memory it was cheaper than the 'ordinary' one. Free next day delivery from:- http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/cgi-bi...an!Exrider_Blue and they sent me nuts & washers for the auxilary teminals FOC after I rang them asking what the thread was, it wasn't metric - I suspect it was either UNC or Whitworth. Excellent service.
 
Sterling Power are anti maintenance free batteries.

See Here

They argue that fast charging results in water loss, therefore we need to be able to top up our batteries.

Interestingly they recommend low cost lead acid batteries that can be topped up for domestic use on boats, over more expensive types.
 
In the "Sterling" article reference is made to its publication of the contents in the Dutch magazine "Zeilen", to which I had a subscription at the time. I can indeed confirm that reader's responses were in tune with his, admittedly somewhat sarcastic, article.
 
Standard non-boosted charging - then maintenance free is fine. But if you have boosted charging that pushes batterys nearer 100% charge levels by upping voltage etc. - then IMHO use top-uppable batterys so you can replace lost water.

Maintenance free batterys use a reconstituting vapour system ... to put vapour back as water, but if you push too hard - they still vent off and in that you lose water. No way to replenish.
Some people buy MF batterys thinking that they won't get spills into boxs when boat heels over etc. Wrong. They can spill like any other ordinary battery. Not that many do in fact ...
 
While some 'maintenance free' batteries have re-combining technology others due to additions to the lead are 'maintenance free' because they don't gas much during normal charging. They are filled during manufacture and the electrolyte capacity is sufficient to last the life of the battery.

Anti spill anti explosion caps cost a bit more than the more simply capped arrangement. If the battery cannot be refilled and it is over charged due to a faulty regulator its a bit of a problem. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sterling Power are anti maintenance free batteries.

[/ QUOTE ]Mr Sterling's ideas are exactly opposite to Nigel Calder's. I asked around at the Boat Show and Mr Stirling's ideas are sometimes not regarded very highly by many professionals in the business. Maybe it's because his chargers are not maintenance free friendly! A good 4 stage smart charger should be fine - but if you abuse your batteries, or don't understand how to look after them, then go for cheap lead acid and suffer the hassles that go with them.

You decide!
 
Depends on your usage. If you are cruising extensively get the best deep cycle battery you can find. If you are a weekender go for the cheapest automotive you can find. A good deep cycle will be bored to death literally from being under used and die earlier than the cheapos.
 
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