Originally Posted by
Angela
If I didn’t have such an overzealous battery charger that has lost its mind, I probably would not have fried batteries in the past - something we learned along the way after we got the boat and ate some batteries along the way as part of the tuition. I need a new charger; I know that, and I’ve learned how to deal with this one in the interim, until we can decide which direction we want to go, by not leaving it on 24/7 which is greatly extending the life of my batteries, now. It's possible to cook an 8D, or anything else, too.
To each his own under each person’s unique circumstances, but this “Gomer” can physically handle the GC batteries, but not the 8Ds, making me just that much less dependent on someone else when I have that need to take care of my boat. I can run the house bank for a few days without turning on the charger, and still start my engines without the use of a parallel switch. Isn’t that the intended function? They work for me (and others) and have for over 5 years now, so why is it so terribly wrong to use 8v GC batteries?
In the absence of an inverter onboard, and considering the way I use my boat, why would I want to have bigger, heavier, more expensive batteries that I cannot handle and that I’d have to get help with, or hire someone to install, to get the same result I get with the GC batteries? Why in the world would I do that to gain no benefit???
In short, if you CAN use them in your specific application, then why not use them? Each owner has to evaluate his boat’s circumstances and make that decision. I do not believe there is a line to be drawn in the sand on this issue where there is a right/wrong, unilaterally. GC batteries are simply another way of making things work - it may not work for everybody, but it does work for a number of people.
Sincerely,
Gomer