The Silver Streak E-mail ListArchive Files[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] Re: [SilverStreak] battery questions
Joe, Basically batteries cannot freeze in the lower 48 if charged. Basically batteries heat while discharging and heat is enemy of a battery. (industrial exceptions-forklifts) So the battery likes cool. Really! Batteries are heavy. You need to keep in front or at least forward. Opinions vary. I like/don't like gel cells. Have pluses like can be used in any "clocking" position, are under vacuum, emit nothing, can be any size and load required. Have minuses like horribly expensive, cannot be "maintained" no access, have inherent problems of Gel characteristics. Optima is just a gel cell battery with a name following. All batteries get stolen and are theft targets now. So inside may have merit, but would you want someone prying open your coach anyway? Inside keeps it from the elements, especially the hot sun which is bad. Inside is a give up of space, but space you may never use. Inside requires securing the battery. It is heavy and a moving battery will tear up a coach. All batteries have a limited life. They are like tires with a questionable value after a maximum of five to seven years. A giant yellow Wal-Mart battery can be exchanged if defective every three years and is about $75 bucks. The optima prices vary, but your talking basically about a $300 battery. It will be just as dead as a typical lead acid battery as it has no better longevity. It's a choice. It's an opinion. Varies! Battery technology is a hot science of a clamoring for a "better battery". With alternate fuels quest, you will see a lot about batteries as electric vehicles and electronics all rush to solve the dilemma of more power with less size and weight. The biggest part of the old Motorola "Brick" cell phone was the battery. Look at cell phones now! We've a long way to go. Cost of fuels will now market-justify the quest. -Eddie- Houston, TX
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