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Author Topic: "RV" Batteries?  (Read 10766 times)

K6AER

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2018, 12:14:20 PM »

Get your self one of these puppies ;D

http://www.powerstridebattery.com/truck-batteries-bus-batteries-coach-batteries/maintenance-free-8d-battery

Then get a good size farm horse to move it for you.

I would use a lithium batter with a DC converter to provide 113.8 VDC.

https://www.campingworld.com/nexgen-12v-lithium-ion-battery-12v-35ah-replacement?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bingshopping&affiliateid=5571

Much lighter and provides a very constant voltage up to 90% discharge level.


« Last Edit: April 28, 2018, 12:16:46 PM by K6AER »
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KC2MMI

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #16 on: May 04, 2018, 02:11:21 PM »

"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."

Yes and no. An automobile battery is properly called an "SLI" battery. Starter, ignition, lighting. Designed to be discharged only a few percent before the alternator recharges it, using a design that is actually intended to "not overcharge the battery" during long highway runs. They are built with thin plates, to provide more plate surface area, which provides the high impulse power for starting motors.

In contrast, a deep cycle battery is designed to be cycled to a 50% depth of discharge. (30-80% typical range with varying numbers of cycles) In order to provide the deeper discharge and still reform the plates during recharging, they use much thicker plates. One extreme of deep cycle batteries are TRACTION BATTERIES, i.e. those used to run the electric motors in golf carts, aka golf cart batteries. And they are built very rugged, because they are heavily cycled in normal use. They are also used in small electric fork lifts and other "traction motor" applications.

"RV" and dual-use batteries are a compromise, and if you're not starting engines and giving them light use, don't waste your money.

AGM batteries are good because you can't spill acid with them. And bad because if you boil off electrolyte, you can't just top it up. More expensive than wet lead, and arguably not as robust as deep cycle wet batteries. But again, there's no acid hazard.

Lithium batteries (of any type) are problematic unless you're willing to be very careful with chargers, or buy a very expensive system. Lightweight, no acid, powerful, but expensive and easy to ruin.
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W8JX

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2018, 02:42:13 PM »

6 volt golf cart batteries are easy to find and are about as rugged a wet lead/acid battery you can get.
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Ham since 1969....  Old School 20wpm REAL Extra Class..

W3XH

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #18 on: June 06, 2018, 06:51:58 AM »

i keep two deep cycle  series 27 dc batteries 100 amp hour each, on a automatic charger . i buy them at the local farm store for about 70 bucks each, use them to handle short power outages with a 1700 watt inverter they handle sump pump duty if the power is out, car starting if needed, can run an electric impact wrench if needed , they fit in a milk crate and i have them on a cheap harbor freight rolling dolly so they are portable  they last me about 5 years then need replacing.  i could also use golf cart batteries hooked together in parallel if i choose. they would give me the same amp hours

 i keep two 100 watt solar panels with 30 amp charge controller in a portable configuration so i can set up to charge the batteries if the power outage lasts longer than the fuel for my generator .

for all the money we spend on ham radio a battery bank to maintain power for operations seems like a reasonable thing to do.

kc9pwt

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KD4LLA

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #19 on: June 20, 2018, 07:19:56 PM »

I would suggest a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries in series. They are very rugged.

Why use two battery's when one would work better?  W/ two you will have problems of one discharging first, which will ruin it.
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K5LXP

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RE: "RV" Batteries?
« Reply #20 on: June 20, 2018, 08:22:07 PM »

Quote
Why use two battery's when one would work better? 

With lead acid, it comes down to pounds per Ah.  Generally speaking to get a given number of Ah you need a given weight in lead.  Technically two 60lb 12V batteries in parallel would have the same Ah as two 60lb 6V batteries in series.  But in practice, the two 6V batteries would be less expensive to buy and give you incrementally better capacity and cycle life due to their plate construction vs 12V batteries.  The cases and pounds of lead may be the same but when you fit 6 cells into a box vs 3, the plates are different and paralleling them electrically isn't the same as being twice as thick mechanically.  Same goes for buying two 60lb 6V batteries vs one 120lb 12V battery.  Even if you found a 12V battery that size it would be more expensive than two common 6V batteries.

Quote
W/ two you will have problems of one discharging first, which will ruin it.

Only if you go below 1.75 volts per cell, which can happen in any multi cell battery.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
 
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