Slightly off topic, but I sure wish the under the seat
box was bigger.  I am finding out that the Optima isn't
really all that powerful of a battery.  There is a
great marine battery, the Lifeline, that sounds
fantastic, but it is 2 inches wider.  I would have to
cut the floor out of the batterybox and lower it about
2"+.  That would not be that hard to do, and the
increase in power would be about 30%, with a quicker
charge and nearly 0 loss of charge.  But I just do not
have the time and I need a battery now, so it will be
another optima.

From what I hear, a true deep cell battery must have
flat plates due to how brittle the best lead for deep
cycle is.  The coils in the optima cannot use the best
lead for deep cycle.  Some marine guys even say they
should nopt be called true deep cycle batteries for
this reason.

The Lifeline has the thick, britle plates, plus like
the optima it is sealed and can be mounted on its
side.  The added benefits are that it can withstand
far, farmore cycles of drain-down and charge up, and
thus will last a lot longer.  It also is better for
charging with solar panels because it will accept and
hold a charge much better.  They claim it can sit fully
discharged for a month and still be recharged and
work.  Still, like any battery, the deeper you drain it
down before recharging, the shorter its life span...by
500 times shorter if you drain it way down.  This is
one reason my $165 optima only lasted 3 years with only
moderate use.  It still works fine for a 2 or 3 day
campout, but not this timew of year and not using the
heater.

Maybe I should buy the lifeline and not install it now,
but just leave the optima installed.  I could throw the
lifeline in the back and plug it into the socket for my
solar charger while at cap, and feed the system that
way.  Then, in about 2012, when i have finally cleared
off my desk and attended to all other pending matters,
i might get around to expanding the size of the battery
box!

The optima just did not quite cut it for me on trips in
cool/cold weather where I used the propex, unless just
for overnight.  The heater is almost a necessity for
full enjoyment of week long camping in remote places
with my six year old twins, unless in the summer.
After a couple or three days, the solar charger does
not provide enough recharge to keep up...due in part to
the short winter days.  The lifeline is 85 Amp/hr, as
opposed to an exagerated rating of 65 for the optima.
That should be enough.  It has recessed terminals,
too.  You just bolt the wires to the battery.  Too bad
it is too big.

http://www.concordebattery.com/products/marine_rv_bats/marine_bats/gpl_24.htm

http://www.concordebattery.com/products/marine_rv_bats/marine_bats/marine_bats.htm

Maybe I should ju
Jerry McCavitt wrote:
>
> Hi Ranier, & group,
>
> Check out these sites for info:
> www.painlessperformance.com
> www.progressivedyn.com
> www.optimabatteries.com
> Respectively, for the 12V energy manager, power converter, and batteries.
> I'm not real sure how they connect yet, I've seen no plans.
> Cheers!
> Jerry McCavitt
> '86 Syncro GL 15" self-Westy
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dr. Rainer Woitok <woitok@rrze.uni-erlangen.de>
> To: Jerry McCavitt <mccavittj@mascorp.com>
> Cc: <Syncro@egroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 10:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [Syncro] Misc. Ramblings
>
> > Hi Jerry, hi all,
> >
> > On Tue, 2000-10-17 22:10:07 -0400, Jerry McCavitt wrote:
> >
> > > ...
> > > Plans are grandiose, but dig this wish list:
> > > -Dual Optima Batteries, with Progressive Dynamics inteli-power converter
> and
> > > charge Wizard, and a Painless Performance 12V energy manager
> >
> > This caught my eye.  Could you, please, tell us  a little bit more about
> > these plans and the devices involved?  Web sites?
> >
> > Have a nice weekend.
> >
> > Sincerely
> >  Rainer
> >
> > '89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"
> >
> >  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > | Rainer M Woitok                  | Phone: (+49-9131) 85-27811,-27031 |
> > | Regionales Rechenzentrum         |                                   |
> > | Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet | Fax  : (+49-9131) 30 29 41        |
> > | Martens-Strasse 1                | Telex: d 629 755 tf erl           |
> > | D-91058 Erlangen                 |                                   |
> > | Germany                          | Mail: Woitok@RRZE.Uni-Erlangen.DE |
> >  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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