Marine
Batteries
 |
The battery bank in
the STI system is analogous to a fuel tank. It can receive
electrical input from a variety of sources: dockside
AC via a battery charger, the DC generator, regeneration
from the freewheeling prop, even solar photovoltaic
cells and wind turbines. The battery bank provides power
to the drive motor(s) and auxiliary systems through
a common buss – the Safety, Power Management and
Distribution box. The standard installation has twelve
12V batteries wired in series to provide a 144 VDC power
source.
STI systems employ Lifeline
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12 volt batteries.
Left: Batteries in box constructed to hold them in catamaran
hull, with motor beyond.
|
| Lifeline
12 V Battery Specifications |
|
Battery group |
Capacity amp-hours |
KWH/ battery |
KWH/ 12 batt bank |
|
Weight (lbs) |
Total bank weight (lbs) |
| U1 |
33 |
0.396 |
4.752 |
7.7 x 5.2 x 6.9 |
24 |
288 |
| 24 |
80 |
0.960 |
11.520 |
11.1 x
6.8 x 9.3 |
56 |
672 |
| 27 |
100 |
1.200 |
14.400 |
12.0 x 6.6 x 9.3 |
65 |
780 |
| 31 |
105 |
1.260 |
15.120 |
12.9 x
6.8 x 9.3 |
69 |
828 |
| 4D |
210 |
2.520 |
30.240 |
20.8 x 8.7 x 9.8 |
135 |
1620 |
| 8D |
255 |
3.060 |
36.720 |
20.8 x
10.9 x 9.7 |
162 |
1944 |
AGM batteries have conventional lead-acid
chemistry. But their construction is very different from the
standard automobile flooded cell battery, where liquid sulfuric
acid is simply poured into the cells. In AGM batteries, the
acid electrolyte is absorbed in a fiberglass mat, which is
packed tightly within the lead plates. The electrolyte can’t
spill, and plate separation is greatly reduced, which decreases
internal resistance. These completely sealed, leak-proof,
maintenance-free batteries function in all positions, even
upside down. No venting is required because byproduct gases
are recombined.
An independent review published in the June
1997 Cruising World found that AGM batteries outperform flooded
and gel cell batteries. Compared to flooded and gel batteries,
AGMs recharge faster, discharge slower and have better cranking
performance, reserve capacity, depth of cycle and cycle life.
AGM batteries exceed U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Military performance
standards.
House Batteries
It is highly recommended that you have one
or two separate batteries supplying 12 volt house power requirements.
These house batteries can be charged from the main battery
bank with an optional 144 VDC to 12 VDC cross charger (DC-DC
converter).
Half of 12-battery bank in Lagoon catamaran hull
4 on right, 2 upper left, house battery in middle
Top of page
Contact us for more
info
|
