Puma Ocean Racing about Energy1 AGM Batteries
In an email from the Puma Ocean Racing team dated March 2009, Sean wrote:
I have been meaning to touch base with you over the past couple weeks but have failed to do so. The team is currently in Boston after the completion of Leg 6 from Rio last weekend. The start of Leg 7 to Ireland is on Saturday May 16th. We have been greatly satisfied with the performance of the batteries. For the most part everything has exceeded expectations. I will give you a quick break down in terms of how we used the three sets to date. We did have an issue with our “second set” of batteries when our battery “combiner” shorted. Those batteries were replaced at the same time the combiner was so its hard to tell what their status was. But I have a feeling that we may have damaged one of the M12-210s.
Each “set” of batteries consisted of 2 x G-2200 and 4 x M12-210s
Set 1: 03/08 - 12/08 - Installed during construction of the boat - Sea trials - Initial training - Bermuda Race - Primary training - Trans-Atlantic - Leg 1 (Alicante to Capetown) - Leg 2 ( Capetown to Kochi)
Set 2: 12/08 - 03/09 - Leg 3 (Kochi to Singapore) - Leg 4 (Singapore to China) - Leg 5 (China to Rio) Set 3: 03-09 - Present - Leg 6 (Rio to Boston)
There are a couple of factors that effect fuel burn rates on these boats: power consumption, main engine vs. generator, alternators and batteries. All teams have taken different approaches to in trying to come up with the best solution. We do not know the exact numbers for all the teams but we do know that we burn a lot less fuel than all the other teams. We are certain that our Energy1 Batteries have contributed to this. This has allowed us to carry less fuel than all the other teams and has been a big advantage to us. We are a very pleased with their performance and are thrilled that you were willing to supply them to us. As we near the completion of the event I would like the ability to talk to you guys to see if there is anything else we can learn from all of this. I know that if I was involved in another syndicate I would certainly be looking to use NorthStar/Energy1 batteries again and I am sure other teams would be as well. If there is anything we can answer for you at this end please contact me. Regards, Sean PUMA Ocean Racing
