GL: Batteries

[James Keen]

On s/v IRISH MIST, my 32 foot sailboat, I used to treat my batteries as a disposible item - replace them every two or three years. My experience is to ignore the batery (stay at the dock too much) is to lose them from disuse. 
   
  When I started the loop, I had 300ah (2 new wet Gp 27 and 2 wet 6v)  in two banks and had NO PROBLEMS with batteries during the trip. Using the batteries daily cured my battery problems. I powered most everything onboard, including a refrigerator, all electronics, lighting, instruments, tv, computer, computer printer, etc on the battery bank using a $70 West Marine 700-watt inverter for 110v items. Although I had two banks, I combined them most of the time for charge and discharge, monitored my electrical usage (limited the discharge) and enjoyed life.
   
  I charged the batteries daily while motoring (most of the trip) or when on shore power. I did increase the battery bank to 400ah while on the trip and had a noisy fan on the inverter near the end - however the system worked well. At anchor, I did have to run the engine every third day to recharge.
   
  Most any type battery will work well - just use them often.
   
  later

 
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