That's a big topic Charriot. I'll just scratch the surface with two points.

1. You need to use the right battery for the purpose. The main types of concern to us yachties are starting batteries and storage batteries. A starting battery - eg a typical car battery - can supply very high current for short periods, and can then recharge rapidly. They are typically measured in CCA (Cold Cranking Amps), ie the amount of current they can supply for a certain period. So a 600CCA battery can supply 600A for (say) 15 seconds. These batteries can not withstand deep discharge. In a typical yacht, you should use a starting battery for your engine starting - but because of a diesel's high compression, the battery needs to be a heavy-duty type.

A storage battery is bigger, heavier and more expensive. It is designed to cycle regularly between full charge and a partially discharged state. This is what you should use to power your lights and refrigeration. Storage batteries are measured in AH - eg, a 100AH battery can supply, say 10A for 10 hours; or 1A for 100 hours. BUT - see below about depth of discharge.

Both types of batteries can be either open (with caps on each cell for you to add distilled water) or sealed ("low maintenance", "agm", "vrla", "gel").


2. You need to look after batteries to get the most life out of them. This means proper charging (there are books written about just these 2 words); avoiding long periods (ie weeks) at a partially discharged state; and avoiding deep discharge. Most storage batteries should not be discharged below 50% (so you should only use 50AH from a 100AH battery). All lead-acid batteries will self-discharge, at different rates depending on the technology. Eg an unused conventional battery needs a "top-up" charge every few weeks, while an AGM battery would be OK for several months.

Many different battery types contain calcium - on its own, this does not mean much. But 5 years isn't bad - if the batts are abused they could be dead in 2 years or less, high or low quality regardless. My current gel house batteries are about 10 years old (I've only owned them for the last 4) but I think only have 1 or 2 seasons left. When the time comes to replace it will be either AGM or LiFeP04.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93acid_battery
batteryuniversity.com/learn/

Thanks, qldc. Think you spot on.
I might get many more years, it's my wild guess, loosing capacity after 5 years.
When I was working, I set up battery capacity test, it's easy but no time to set up again.

Select to expand quote

LooseChange said...
Anything Jaycar said I would take with a large grain of salt, in my opinion they aren't much more than shirt box salesmen.

I bought it else where .Santa Saga has one he seem happy with it LooseChange .At the moment all I want to do is get my batteries topped up and keep them that way . and learn more about solar at the moment Batteries are not a problem for me as I buy them at work good quality Caterpillar storage and also start .
Im getting a quote on a LG mono X neon 300 watt see how it goes with the price
The LG Mono Neon 300 watt is just the right size panel for the cabin roof 1640 x 1000 cm most other panels of this size are only 250 watts.
From what Ive read this panel works well even at the end of the day . .
its a house panel not a marine panel but Ill give it a go. if the price is OK

If it all works as supposed then good, all I was saying that Jaycar are not the most knowledgeable lot around, there are more qualified people out there.

Id like to hear comments on solar panels facing outwards rather than up skywards.
As is ultraviolet it needs, obviously full sun is best but then it can get hot redefeating the purpose.
Bolted to stanchions, facing out could get reflected uv rays from clouds and water.. hmmm?

Solar panels use mostly visible light, with maybe a bit of infrared. I'd be surprised if anything was better than pointing directly at the sun (if movable) or else straight up if fixed.

Ah! Thanks for the heads up qld cruiser...
The audacity of friendly flummoxers i meet everywhere i go continue to disturb me..

Where have you wondered to Mangrovefog ?? you down near the city?

Having done a solar set up is very convenient for the environment as well as our electricity bills. Many commercial solar companies help in installing the solar requirements at our places. For more information you can visit here www.cleanenergycorp.com.au/