morning MC... i wasnt going out in that rain yesterday!!... the battery is showing 12.3v before startup so i think that is on its way out (the little indicator on the battery is confirms this)

its showing 14.23v when its running, thats stable even if i increase revs, this has me thinking that maybe the van would push it at more like 14.4v and the tired battery is pulling it down ? ill look into this.

im looking to put standard wet batteries in, they sell as deap cycle 125ah but im guessing they are just re labled as such (ebay...love it)
iv taken the advice that the cheaper the better... with good charge control should last quite well... nothing like AGM's and the like but they really are a tad pricey

iv done a bit of research on the voltage issue, an article by a guy who has lived in his van for 8 years (and never used a genny) is charging at the much higher voltages, holding that voltage at least an hour passed the usual current drop (tempriture compensated)

i think most charge solar/wind controllers and car/van charge systems aire on the safe side (totally understandable...zero maintainence)
so i really want to hang on to the option to push the volage up should the need arise

i think the world is split on the issue of charge voltages for standard wet lead... i think having voltage options a hydrometer and a pen and paper might be the way to go :)