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Author Topic: "RV" Batteries?  (Read 10765 times)

KA1OWC

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"RV" Batteries?
« on: April 04, 2018, 06:36:00 AM »

Battery Question: I want to do some remote work on battery power...I have several small batteries, but I want to purchase a battery that will last for many hours...I do not really care about the weight, as it will sit in one place...I have heard something about "RV" batteries...Can anyone advise me about them? I also want to buy a battery box to keep the battery in and purchase the correct type charger...Thanks for the guidance!
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KB2WIG

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2018, 02:58:09 PM »

How much power do you need, and how long do you need it?

There are a few places on line to look. The KOA campground people have a nice, short info section about batteries used in RVs, etc.

http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-rv-batteries.asp

klc
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K5LXP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2018, 04:19:06 PM »


"RV battery", a general term that can mean deep cycle, or dual purpose starting/reserve.  I've found that in the rather tepid application of portable radio operating, either one works OK.  The dual purpose RV battery is also known as a marine battery, something you can readily find at numerous retail sources along with the battery boxes they fit in.  Battery Tender type chargers work well with those.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 
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W8JX

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2018, 03:25:43 AM »

I would suggest a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries in series. They are very rugged.
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

N9AOP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2018, 08:36:42 AM »

JX, I do that and these things are totally cheap, reliable and indestructible.  Pretty heavy for portable use however.
Art
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W8JX

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2018, 09:33:44 AM »

JX, I do that and these things are totally cheap, reliable and indestructible.  Pretty heavy for portable use however.
Art

They would be my choice for a static battery supply/bank.
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

KK4BIL

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2018, 09:28:18 AM »

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KB2WIG

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2018, 10:03:29 AM »


The reviews are not to kind.


klc
« Last Edit: April 06, 2018, 10:06:54 AM by KB2WIG »
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KB2WIG

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2018, 10:49:49 AM »



The reviews are not too kind.
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K5LXP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2018, 12:32:56 PM »


When buying batteries the reseller is a much a part of the equation as the brand.  Lead acid batteries have a shelf life and if not topped off you can end up with a relatively young battery that has never seen service behave like the ones in those reviews.  If you get one with a date code on it that's a couple months or so you know it's close to factory fresh and should be OK.   Anything you can't verify the manufacture date I would stay away from.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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W8JX

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2018, 03:11:41 PM »


When buying batteries the reseller is a much a part of the equation as the brand.  Lead acid batteries have a shelf life and if not topped off you can end up with a relatively young battery that has never seen service behave like the ones in those reviews.  If you get one with a date code on it that's a couple months or so you know it's close to factory fresh and should be OK.   Anything you can't verify the manufacture date I would stay away from.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

Long ago I remember when batteries were shipped dry and you added acid when you install them. Shipped that way a battery can sit many years and still be factor fresh when installed. Product liability for having to handle acid likely ended this decades ago. 
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

K3LI

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2018, 03:52:21 PM »

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K5LXP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2018, 06:17:14 AM »


That's not a deep cycle battery.  Hard to beat the flooded 6V golf cart batteries for cycling and cost per Ah.  I abused the hell out of a variety of brands and by far the Trojan series (T105/T125/T145) performed beyond rated spec for cycling and current delivery.

For non-spillable lead acid the 32Ah nominal wheelchair batteries are a good value.


Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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K8BYP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2018, 12:04:08 PM »

HAving done engineering work on that topic..

The RV batteries are designed for longer current discharge, not like automotive batteries designed for short bursts of high current.

Theyre also called golf cart batteries.

Yuasa engineering told me this:

1. NEVER discharge below 10.6 V or permanent damage
2. about 14.8v max float voltage
3. There is a max discharge rating, but I forget what it was and itll vary with brands and battery condition
4. use a conditioning charger to extend the battery life.

And, only fill it to the top of the plates, higher electrolyte levels increase self discharge.

The critical factor in Ham radio is that the average duty cycle of a TX is about 20%, SSB or, surprisingly, CW also.
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W8JX

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2018, 09:36:09 AM »

HAving done engineering work on that topic..

The RV batteries are designed for longer current discharge, not like automotive batteries designed for short bursts of high current.

Theyre also called golf cart batteries.

Yuasa engineering told me this:

1. NEVER discharge below 10.6 V or permanent damage
2. about 14.8v max float voltage
3. There is a max discharge rating, but I forget what it was and itll vary with brands and battery condition
4. use a conditioning charger to extend the battery life.

And, only fill it to the top of the plates, higher electrolyte levels increase self discharge.

The critical factor in Ham radio is that the average duty cycle of a TX is about 20%, SSB or, surprisingly, CW also.

Golf cart batteries are typically 6 volt and about a rugged as they get....
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..
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