Batteries - resources for cruising sailors

How NOT to install a battery box

[Site]

Manufacturer By Andina Foster

How you can help the battery box on your sailboat serve the purpose of keeping the batteries dry and working with salt water sloshing around in an emergency.

[Yandina Ltd., Beaufort, SC, USA]
- Read the article on line

Winter Storage

[Site]

Owners' Group

A boat′s batteries can freeze. Here are some tips on preventing your batteries from being damaged by cold, either in storage or in winter use.

[C&C Sailing Association Northeast, London, ON, Canada]
- Preventing your battery from freezing

Battery Maintenance

[Article]

Brief Maintenance How-To By Steve Dashew

Some tips on maintaining wet-cell batteries, and a report on the Dashews′ five-year-old Trojan traction batteries. Trojan no longer makes these batteries, but Dashew recommends another supplier.

[SetSail]
- Read about Dashew's battery system

Batteries and Electrical Systems Strategies

[Article]

On-line publisher By Norm Bernstein

An argument against placing your boat′s batteries in parallel, the normal configuration, for safety and efficiency reasons. Instead the author favors two separate battery banks operated alternately and charged separately.

[Sail Jazz, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA]
- Dual battery banks recommended

Battery Boxes and Trays

[Offline]

Comparative Tests

Battery storage products from Blue Seas, Gil Marine, T&H Marine Tempo, Todd, and West Marine are evaluated for safety and ease of access. 2 pages with photos.

[Practical Sailor]
- Preview the Practical Sailor back issue

Batteries at the Heart of DC Power

[Article]

Overview By John C. Payne

A summary comparison of flooded-cell, gel-cell and AGM batteries. Covers the main advantages and disadvantages of the three types, Text only.

[Ocean Voyager, January 2002]
- Read the article (fee $5 a year)
- Order the back issue

Wet-Cell 12-Volt Battery Test

[Article]

Comparative Tests

A comparison of flooded-cell deep-cycle batteries from Deka, Rolls, West Marine, Trojan, Douglas, U.S. Battery and Interstate. Batteries are judged on amp-hour rating, marine cranking amps, and reserve capacity. Good sidebar and tips on maximizing battery life.

[Practical Sailor, 1 September 2003]
- Read the battery comparisons

12-Volt Booster Packs

[Offline]

Comparative Tests

Power packs can jump start your engine or provide 12-volt current for other emergencies. PS compared units from Xantrex, West Marine, and Wal-Mart for cold starting (a car and a 80-HP boat diesel), and longevity at low draw.

[Practical Sailor, 1 April 2005]
- Power packs tested