"Graeme Cant" wrote in message
...
T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:
What about getting the best of both worlds? It seems agreed that only the
radio's performance improves with higher voltage. Why not keep a 12V
system with its easy charging and standard sizes but add a DC-DC UP
converter into the radio circuit so that a constant 13-14V is supplied to
the radio even though the battery supply voltage drops?


By the time most modern radios would start to falter, the battery is already
pretty much discharged. Using an up-converter is this circumstance would
only result in a very limited amount of additional radio use - - along with
a very discharged battery!

Better and cheaper to insure you have adequate battery capacity by replacing
batteries on a regular basis, as these batteries lose capacity with time (I
replace mine at 3 year intervals - - 2 years is probably better). If room
allows, consider adding an additional battery pack.

Fortunately, Schleicher was kind enough to install two 12 volt 18 amp hour
batteries in my ASH26E (bless their little hearts!).

bumper