Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Tugs and Towing => Topic started by: Ian on June 27, 2009, 01:52:07 pm

Title: Battery question?
Post by: Ian on June 27, 2009, 01:52:07 pm

Hello,

I was wondering if I could use a 12 volt motorcycle battery in my tub? I have the room.  The battery I have now is very tired and I noticed that motorcycle battery's and the like are priced right. I was wondering if anyone has used one and how they got on with it..

Cheers,
Ian..
(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4254/61683370.th.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1T0MXS)

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: catengineman on June 27, 2009, 01:58:15 pm

I believe you are talking of a 12volt SLA
these are used quite a lot in the model world I have five for my boats and also three 6volt SLA

2 of the 12volt ones come from lawn mower starter systems, but the new ones are form Maplins or CEF

R,

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 27, 2009, 05:33:01 pm

Make sure it's a sealed battery and use a proper lead-acid charger.

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: Ian on June 28, 2009, 04:50:48 am

Hey thanks guys,

I thought I had to be specific about what battery to use and now I see that I have more options than I thought I had.  %%

Cheers, and thanks a lot,
Ian..

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: DickyD on June 28, 2009, 08:50:40 am

Sealed lead acid batteries here.

http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/batteries.html            :-))

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: garston1 on June 28, 2009, 08:57:27 pm

I use em all the time!

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: More Coffee on July 12, 2009, 08:06:40 pm

Quote from: garston1 on June 28, 2009, 08:57:27 pm

I use em all the time!

x2 ..use them also ..when i can ..

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: Bwalsh on July 17, 2009, 11:30:40 pm

Have used these to but like all lead/acid they dont like full discharge too often or will damage the cells.

Bill

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: ixion on July 19, 2009, 04:25:58 pm

Nice model you have there.

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: Ghost in the shell on July 19, 2009, 11:02:23 pm

Ian, using a lead acid battery out of a motorcycle may not be a good idea if its wet acid.  Unlike the sealed lead acid type, a wet acid battery can and will spill, and if it does, it will very quickly eat a hole in the boat.

battery acid is sulphuric acid, you don't want that in your boat, also the fumes can be corrosive as well. 

BEST USE A GEL CELL and leave the other battery for your motorcycle

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: sheerline on July 19, 2009, 11:44:11 pm

Best to stick with sla's really as the other chaps have said. One point about wet cell motorcyle batteries, they usually have o ring sealed caps which prevent spillage and are allowed to vent and breath through a small pipe situated at one end. This pipe is often carried down the to the undersides of the bike so anything which may be ejected including hydrogen gas will be carried harmlessly away. This pipe could actually be fitted to a skin fitting on the side of the boat so gas or contents would not infiltrate the hull.
Personally I would not recommend it however as the risk of a hydrogen gas explosion would be enough to put me off.

Title: Re: Battery question?
Post by: awvs on July 20, 2009, 01:41:43 pm

I absolutely agree with "Ghost in the shell" and "sheerline."  As an technician in electronics I can only give you the same advice as the aforementioned two gentlemen. Do not use wet cells for your model boats, spend a little extra money for gel cells and you do yourself a big favour.

Regards
Wilhelm