Does anyone know if the standard alternator/voltage regulator that comes on Cape Dorys (I have a CD30) are o.k. for charging gel batteries? I wouldn't have even given it a thought except someone at the West Marine store mentioned that they thought it was necessary to have a more controlled voltage regulator when using gel batteries. Can anyone shed any light on this subject?
Patrick Turner
CD30 Sasha Oren
San Francisco Bay
patturner@earthlink.net
Gel Batteries & Voltage Regulators
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry Austin
Re: Gel Batteries & Voltage Regulators
hi patrick...i have gel batteries on my 30 for almost 2 years now and everything seems to be fine.
Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA
laustin@us.ibm.com
Larry Austin
CD30MKII
LAYLA
laustin@us.ibm.com
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Art
Gel cells can EXPLODE if overcharged!
Use the CORRECT REGULATOR!Patrick Turner wrote: Does anyone know if the standard alternator/voltage regulator that comes on Cape Dorys (I have a CD30) are o.k. for charging gel
KEARConner@aol.com
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Scott Ritchey
Re: Gel Batteries & Voltage Regulators
Gel (and AGM) batteries need different voltages to charge properly, compared to normal wet (flooded) batteries. This is especially critical at the "float" stage. The difference is only about a half volt but it's important. I never heard of one exploding, but the wrong voltage will certainly reduce battery life.
Given the year CD quit building boats, I seriously doubt your charger is set up for these newer batteries. If it's an old ferro-resonant type, it may be unsuitable for long-term trickle charging, period.
The West catalog gives a good description of all this near the front of their "Electrical" section just before the batteries and before the chargers. Nigel Calder does a superb job covering this his "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual," but you are more likely to have a West Catalog.
ritcheyvs@aol.com
Given the year CD quit building boats, I seriously doubt your charger is set up for these newer batteries. If it's an old ferro-resonant type, it may be unsuitable for long-term trickle charging, period.
The West catalog gives a good description of all this near the front of their "Electrical" section just before the batteries and before the chargers. Nigel Calder does a superb job covering this his "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual," but you are more likely to have a West Catalog.
ritcheyvs@aol.com
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John R.
Re: Gel Batteries & Voltage Regulators
Sent you an e-mail yesterday because this server wasn't accepting a message post.Patrick Turner wrote: Does anyone know if the standard alternator/voltage regulator that comes on Cape Dorys (I have a CD30) are o.k. for charging gel batteries? I wouldn't have even given it a thought except someone at the West Marine store mentioned that they thought it was necessary to have a more controlled voltage regulator when using gel batteries. Can anyone shed any light on this subject?
Patrick Turner
CD30 Sasha Oren
San Francisco Bay
To restate my main point, be sure you don't exceed 14.1 volts at the battery positive terminal when charging or you will damage the gel in your gel batteries resulting in less performance and life expectancy and void the warranty.
If your OEM alternator/regulator combo meets your "demand needs" and your charging voltage does not exceed the rating above, then you are fine with what you have and there is no need to be wasting money on overkill components.
If your system is falling short of your charging demands then you need to evaluate the entire charge system as a whole and research your options for a high performance replacement system.
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John Nuttall
Hi Pat! Check out this book...
......called "Managing 12Volt Systems".
It's really good. I like it better than the "12 Volt Doctor". That's a good book too, I just preferred the diagrams and illustrations in the first book. You can get it from Amazon.com or "Less Marine".
I call it "Less Marine" now because they took out about 4 aisles of stuff we need, and filled them up with water skis and fishing gear. Looks like Wall-Mart.......
Anyway, everything already mentioned in this tread is covered in the book. The info in the "Less Marine" catalog checks out too.
Now here is the rub. You and I have a "mutual sailor friend" who "inherited" a mixed battery bank and an old tech charger. So far no problems. Maybe it's just luck, or simply a matter of time until an adverse condition results. I sure don't know......
Sorry I was of absolutely no help, but at least I got to bitch about "Less Marine"
John Nuttall.............
nuttallj@msn.com
It's really good. I like it better than the "12 Volt Doctor". That's a good book too, I just preferred the diagrams and illustrations in the first book. You can get it from Amazon.com or "Less Marine".
I call it "Less Marine" now because they took out about 4 aisles of stuff we need, and filled them up with water skis and fishing gear. Looks like Wall-Mart.......
Anyway, everything already mentioned in this tread is covered in the book. The info in the "Less Marine" catalog checks out too.
Now here is the rub. You and I have a "mutual sailor friend" who "inherited" a mixed battery bank and an old tech charger. So far no problems. Maybe it's just luck, or simply a matter of time until an adverse condition results. I sure don't know......
Sorry I was of absolutely no help, but at least I got to bitch about "Less Marine"
John Nuttall.............
nuttallj@msn.com
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Patrick Turner
Re: Gel Batteries & Voltage Regulators
I checked the voltage coming from the alternator and it's around 14.3....too much for gels. The next step is a "smarter" alternator..gel bats and about $500.00. Think I'll stick with "wet" ones.
Pat
patturner@earthlink.net
Pat
patturner@earthlink.net