Tuesday, 5 August 2025

 The reason I am sticking with lead acid batteries




the reason these things explode and burn is because of cost cutting in their production cheap BMS cheap cells etc etc IMHO.

Maybe having a battery that is at the top of the price range will reduce the chances of this but I am still sticking with lead acid - i could not think of anything worse than this happening out at sea

UPDATE


Friday, 1 August 2025

What is the holdup? - Why no sea trials?

Well, for all those following, here is the update - Everything was set for leaving, sails bent on, and I try start the outboard to leave the marina, a 2hp Honda that normally starts second pull and after 10 pulls things were not right- so, check fuel level and there is nothing, it had a full tank, so all the fuel leaked out. Now this engine  is from  the year 2000, so 25 years old, which is not a problem, my lawnmower is a Honda and it is from the same timespan super reliable and it also starts 2nd pull, so I brought it home and removed the carb, checked and cleaned everything, and then it would not start at all. I rebuilt the carb a short while ago as well and it started and ran well - so I do not understand why it suddenly developed these issues. In addition it has an oil leak which I have an idea why it does this, it is a known 2hp honda problem, so it needs some open heart surgery - I will repair it - . they are great simple motors.





The Honda - now, not inspiring reliability  and the fact that I live on a volcanic island with sharp rocks etc etc and also being summer, with the Azores high and the certain possibility of very light to no wind conditions - this is not a great scenario, so I ordered a 3.5hp Tohatsu NEW in the box, flown in from Lisbon and we will see how this plays out.



stay tuned for what follows.

In the interim the the TAK-C is progressing really well


 Battery dangers explained