Are All Batteries Created Equal? (Does Size Matter?)

wrote:
Anyone have any experience with the 12-volt PowerSonic PSH-12100 10.5
AH sealed lead-acid battery? It's the same "footprint" (length and
width) as the 7.5 AH batteries most of us use but about 2/3 inch (17
mm) taller.

PowerSonic rates its own PSH-1280--the size most of us use--at 8.5 AH
which is already 1 AH more than most similar batteries, a 13% increase
for this brand. Then they spec 10.5 AH for the taller battery--a 24%
increase--with approx. 18% increases in volume and weight.

I know battery capacity isn't strictly proportional to size (I assume
there are some fixed components to each). And there are differences in
design among manufacturers. But does anyone have any first-hand
experience with the taller battery? Or know whether the upgraded
capacity is more or less likely to be marketing hype? Looking at the
specs for both, it doesn't appear that PowerSonic is playing games with
the numbers to favor the taller battery.

Another higher-capacity alternative--a battery with the same length and
height but wider--would require modifying the battery box and
associated mounting in my ASW 24.

With more electronics in the cockpit every year, I'm looking for easy
ways to add electrical energy with no or only minor glider surgery. Tim
Mara has both types in his online catalog, by the way (this is a
non-commercial, informational message intended for those who aren't
familiar with the batteries typically used in gliders).


Tim also has Powersonic 4 and 6 volt 10 AH batteries in his catalog. Two
4's and a 6 would give a whole lot more *usable* capacity than a 12V 10.5 AH,
when powering 14 volt instruments such as your radio.