Re: ihc-digest V5 #206

[<hofs@domain.elided>]

>What different kinds of batteries are there available for vehicals ?
>
> I was hoping for information on some new 'Air Battery' I had heard
>mentioned somewhere
Never heard of it.
>
> Would I use a Gel Cel battery on my Scout or RV for deep cycle ?

The Optima deep cycle is about $40 more expensive than the regular 
Optima, and I've not heard much about its performance. In general,I 
think,using a Gel Cel on your Scout would depend on whether or not you 
wanted to mount it in an odd position somewhere, or if you were going to 
beat the heck out of it with vibration, and whether or not the additional 
expense is worth it. You can get 4 regular batteries that you can expect 
3 or 4 years of use out of for the price of one Optima. With battery 
warranties being what they are now, you probably could expect to get some 
money applied from the old battery toward the new battery, and maybe end 
up paying as little as $100 for 15 years of battery use.

In regard to deep cycle, unless I was pretty sure that I was going to 
neglect servicing my deep cycle battery, I'd go with genuine deep cycle 
lead acid batteries. My preference would be two 6 volt batteries wired in 
series. That would give you two weeks of lights, water, and radio in the 
desert without recharging. I don't think you're going to get that out of 
an Optima. Actually, I know you're not but I hesitated to make that 
certain of a statement.
Have fun,
John 


John Hofstetter  "Ol'Saline's Web Site" www.goldrush.com/~hofs
Life Member, National Rifle Association     California Rifle and Pistol 
Asc.
Member, Sierra Macintosh Users Group  Member, MacTwain Macintosh Users 
Group
Charter Member, FRIENDS OF DEATH VALLEY   Member, Blue Ribbon Coalition
Life Member, Association of California School Administrators
Owner of 79 Scout Terra "It's a legend"