Re: [APML]: Gell Cells vs Deep Cycle Marine Batteries for powering a scope

[Darryl Gage <dgage@netsync.net>]

Jerry:

Either type of battery can be recharged off the car's alternator.  There
used to be just such a product for recharging marine batteries while
trailering a boat back and forth, however, I don't see it in the fishing
catalogs now.  The big thing now seems to be onboard chargers which
utilize the boat's main motor to recharge all the batteries in a boat
while running to and from the dock, but these are expensive ($250 -
$400) and are geared more towards fishermen with 3 or 4 batteries in
their boats.

Neither type of battery likes to sit around for months without usage. 
Exide makes a charger (Nautilus Automatic Charger - around $50) which
can be left on to maintain the batteries ready for use and is designed
for deep cycle/gel cell batteries.  I store my marine batteries in the
cellar during the winter months and just stick the charger on monthly to
bring them back up to a full charge rather than leaving the charger on
all the time (I'm skittish about leaving it running for 4-5 months).

I don't know how much keeping the battery in a insulated container will
help in the cold, but I keep the gel cell for my LX-200 in a cooler to
keep all the connections dry when I'm out and it has the added
advantages carrying handles, plus a white top so I don't trip over it.
-- 
Darryl M. Gage  dgage@netsync.net
Forestville,NY  42:29:19N 079:12:13W
http://www.netsync.net/users/dgage