Stumbled onto what looks to be a possible steal on batteries.

[TrevorH]

I was listing my skoolie for sale when I stumbled upon a link to this craigslist ad.  I am in no way connected but it could be a great deal for someone.  If anyone buys some and is headed out towards Tucson, let me know I would love to buy some but cant get them here.  Here ya all go
http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/564704632.html

[Sean]

Let's see -- no brand, no specs, no sizes, no type, no chemistry, and the kicker: "From" $30 (meaning that's the price of the smallest and/or worst of the bunch -- others will be more).  On the surface, this doesn't look to me like a deal at all -- it looks like a disaster.  Might be OK if you are local to go have a look, but even then, you had better bring a proper load tester with you.  FWIW.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Sojourner]

Amen Sean!

Anytime battery ever been run down is already prone to shorter life. Who know what the history of their batteries? Brand new from retailer with warranty is your best buy for you money at fast turn around source such as Walmart, Sears and so on.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[Lin]

Although this is not a steal, there is a guy offering Deka 8g31dtm gel batteries for $150 each on SF Bay Craigslist.  They are 97ah @20 hours.  I have been thinking about those.  I have never had gel batteries before.  Do you like them?

[Sean]

Personally, I think Gel batteries are a poor choice for a conversion, for several reasons:

First of all, they require special care when charging.  Charging a Gel battery on a "charge profile" meant for flooded batteries will destroy it.  This also means that if you want to charge your house batteries from the main engine alternator while driving, you will need to set the charge voltage of the alternator down to a more appropriate setting.  Some alternators with internal regulators are not user-settable, which might present a problem.

Secondly, they are about the same price, amp-hour for amp-hour, as AGM's, which can accept charge at a much higher rate, allowing a faster charger setting and minimizing generator run time.  Lastly, AGM's can supply higher burst current.

The advantage of Gel batteries IF they are properly charged and cared for, is that they generally have higher cycle life than the other types.

Back when we were planning our conversion, I did an extensive analysis of life cycle cost for various types of batteries, and Gel came in dead last.  (AGM won, hands-down.)

FWIW and YMMV.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Hartley]

On the subject of GEL batteries...

When they go bad and start to sizzle they don't stop sizzling until
they explode.

I had a 4D size one decide to start sizzling and about busted a gut
trying to get a hot, swelling and frying battery spewing acid gas out the
door. It was approaching grenade mode.

I don't like them because they are very fragile to maintain.

On exploding batteries, I saw an aircraft 24/28 volt NI-CAD go into short
condition once in a nice Mitsubishi MU-2 Turboprop Jet. The co-pilot tried
to start both engines at the same time. The battery blew and the box melted and the batteries blew out the bottom of the plane. $160k damage.

AGM or Wet types checked on and maintained are best.

Dave....