Steve, batteries have come a long way just as the Argonaut 515 has
compared to the HW-7 & not to mention today's rigs. I got introduced to
these batteries I believe around 2010. The gel-cells were so much
improved over the wet cells, but the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Battery is so much ahead in battery design than anything I have seen.
Weight, size & holds the output voltage & amps to 10% of discharge. You
have to charge them with a special charger, if the circuit is not built
inside the protective cover or case, to balance the cells & charge to
the proper voltage of each cell. They also charge up much faster than a
gel-cell. You don't want to discharge them all the way as you can with a
gel. Follow those guidelines and you got a very good battery for
portable or emergency power that has a life of around 10 years. Price
has come down too!
The gel-cell is still one to use for a battery backup system, but for
portable the size, weight and holding the voltage and amps much longer
is where this battery has the advantage over the gel. Big disadvantage
is the price. They are not cheap!
Some of the Chinese ones you want to stay away from. I'm also not crazy
about the lithium-ion polymer battery. Though some like them, these can
be dangerous from what I have read and from those that experience this
on other forms. The iron phosphate ones sold at Buddiepole &
Bioennopower are reliable ones.
https://www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries
73,
Reed W4JZ
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