Custom Batteries ???

Discussion in 'Electrical Systems' started by bjl_sailor, Feb 26, 2005.

  1. bjl_sailor
    Joined: May 2004
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    Location: MASS

    bjl_sailor Junior Member

    Hello:

    I've been think alot about electircal battery storage, modern 'canoe shaped hulls', deep keels with bulbs and have to ask a question that must already be answered.

    Given:
    We all know lead/acid batteries or gel cell bats are very heavy.
    Modern boats have lot's of juice requirement.
    Performance hull forms have no 'narrow and deep' to place them.

    Question:

    Why not build a "battery pack" into the keel ?

    My idea would be to build numerous small, approx beer can shaped battery cells of 1 or 2 volts each. These in turn would be slid into the tubing/spars of the foil portion of a deep bulb keel. There would be a twist lock fitting on each end so you could put 12 1 volts in series. The only way it would work is if your could get into these 'tubes' via openings in the hulls -- Is this completely crazy?

    What would it take to manufacture of fabricate lead acid battery cells as I described?

    Other than the obvious: that bilge water and batteries don't mix, what is wrong with this idea?
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Batteries in the bilge are common enough. Check out some of the narrow batteries like on golf carts or fork lifts. They could fit in a hollow keel.
     
  3. don954
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Fort Lauderdale

    don954 Junior Member

    i would recomend..

    using NiMh F Cells with tabs. They are 13 amp hours at 1.2 volts each, use 10 for a 12V set. These have some of the best weight to amp storge on the market right now. Here is a UK site that is selling them pretty cheep. I have seen some in the US but they were not tabbed, both were made in china...
    http://www.powerstoredirect.co.uk/erol.html#2201x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fsearch.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%3Fp%3Dindustrial+NiMh+batteries+F%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3DFP-tab-web-t%26fl%3D0%26x%3Dwrt
     
  4. bjl_sailor
    Joined: May 2004
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    Location: MASS

    bjl_sailor Junior Member

    Very Interesting form factor too! -- AT least for my purposes... The price is right too. At 8.90 Sterling with a 1.81 exchange rate it works out $16.01 per cell. Imagine filling a pvc tube with these in series, sealing it, in turn fastening in with the spar of a bulb keel? I guess battery off gasing is the first challenge...
     

  5. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Off gassing can be taken care of with a vent pipe.
     
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