Al salaam a'alaykum Bob

14 Dec 03 09:49, Bob Lawrence wrote to David Drummond:

 BL>> That's why the *best*way to test a charge battery is with a
 BL>> hygrometer (the float in a bulb).

 DD>> Nowhere to stick the hygometer....

 BL>  Why did you choose gel cells? The only advantage is lack of mess.
 BL> They lose just as much water as an equivalent lead acid.

They're totally maintenance free. If I had "wet" cells I would
need to top them up from time to time. I may not visit for six or eight
weeks at a time....

 DD>> These are guaranteed for ten, life expectance of 15....

 BL>  I assume it's a pro-rata guarantee? After 5 years, say? 

You mean still producing x% capacity? If so, yes - just as the solar panels are.

 BL>  A car is a terrible situation for a battery. It gets very hot,
 BL> it is jiggled around all the time, it is asked to deliver 100-amps 
 BL> in its least-charged state, and it is generally over-charged in
 BL> between. A normal car battery in a fixed installation that does not
 BL> exceed 40C with no starter-motor loads would match your 15 years
 BL> average life. Even so, 5 years is a realistic expectation, before 
 BL> it starts to lose capacity.

 DD>> The buggers weigh more than 20kg each. I'm not moving them any
 DD>> more than I have to. 

 BL>  I had no idea your installation was so huge! Why didn't you use gas
 BL> for the frig?

Gas fridges are no where near as effective in warm climates.

Originally I was looking for a kero fridge but you cannot buy those this
side of Papua these days.

With a 12V fridge, my gas and kero requires for the next 10 - 15 years will
be minimal.

Regards,
David

--- Msged/LNX TE 06 (pre)