Now _that's_ the ticket!EB wrote:maybe some distilled spirits,
Deep cycle batteries
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sandrider2
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2014 1:05 pm
- Burning Since: 2000
- Camp Name: Some
Re: Deep cycle batteries
Some basics. Some batteries are a league above not having any. If u agree, then read on.
Starting batteries are designed to let go of a big burst of energy then quickly be recharged. They don't like anything else. We all do it, and once in a while has no effect on them. But if you run your stereo, for example, daily until they won't start your car, then jump them, after a month or two they won't start your car anymore. Deep cycle batteries are made for this type of load. Thousand Of cycles, No problem, Unless YOU Discharge THE Too much.
They last the longest at 25-35% discharge. They do well up to 50%, then you start decreasing their life span considerably. Design for 35-40, and less if budget allows. Golf cart batteries, namely the Trojan T-105 are far superior. Don't let the numbers fool you as manufacturers cook the numbers any which way they can to sell an inferior battery. They put 6 or 8 of them in golf carts. For rv dry camping, 4 of them sets you up pretty good. (Most people, most rv's). This includes all the tv time and computer time you want. They even run my dishwasher every day. That's a 450 amp/hour bank for those of you crunching numbers, 220 use able without over discharging.
Charging: if this is a daily chore, on a bank this size, you need an 80 3 or 5 stage intelligent charger. It will allow you to enter the specific battery you have and it will charge it according to the manufacturers recommended charge algorithm. The best way to get one of these fancy chargers is to get it included with your inverter. Inverter/chargers handle the whole package including your generator and solar panels. If you have electric start on your generator, they will handle that too. So, say you are in a camp ground with geny hours from 10 to 3. A nice inverter/charger will let you input that information. And, if you use power like you did for the last month, year, or whatever. The inverter will start the geny and charge you up if it anticipates you running out tonite. Also, say, if you plug into a 20 amp 120 volt plug, you can set your max draw at 17 amps. It will rock your batteries with 80 amps, or maybe 65 if you have good solar at that moment, and automatically decrease if you turn on the microwave for a minute so you don't trip the breaker. A true sine wave inverter, about 1400 watts, with a 80 amp charger, and MPPT charge controller for your panels, can be had for as little as $600. A first rate Xantrex or Outback can be had for about $1800. This charger will get the max life out of your batteries, equalize, desulphate, and maintain during your off season too. It will minimize your geny run time as well without ever over charging.
Let's save MPPT charge controllers for another thread. I will say this, they are meant for you so get one. Chinese knock offs can be had for $50 and you get another 25% out of your panels. Some articles say they are meant for big arrays. They do DC to DC conversion to keep your solar panels producing their max for the given sunlight. Without one, your batteries pull the panels down to their voltage, you can bet that's not the voltage the panel got its 150 or whatever watt rating. They are intended for installations that could benefit by the panels producing up to 30% more power. Does that sound like your situation? I find you can't just keep adding panels to an rv, I run out of space. And, by the way, for dry camping, 4-600 watts sets you up pretty good in your rv. You won't be struggling all the time. Combine that with a good inverter/charger and you have all the power you want, with just 1-3 hours of geny time a day. Stick with wet cell golf Cart batteries unless there is just absolutely no way you can vent them. AGM, or glass mats are considerably more expensive.
once again. Don't get fooled by the numbers, the golf cart batteries will outperform group 27's all night long. If you don't have a good charger, Truecharge is a good one, bring several. Don't be afraid to put 3 or 4 or 5 chargers on your batteries if they are all only 10 or 15 amps.
pm me if you need further help or want me to help design something cool. Or, even not cool but just need some help. I have been installing independent power systems for off grid and on grid applications since 1990.
Starting batteries are designed to let go of a big burst of energy then quickly be recharged. They don't like anything else. We all do it, and once in a while has no effect on them. But if you run your stereo, for example, daily until they won't start your car, then jump them, after a month or two they won't start your car anymore. Deep cycle batteries are made for this type of load. Thousand Of cycles, No problem, Unless YOU Discharge THE Too much.
They last the longest at 25-35% discharge. They do well up to 50%, then you start decreasing their life span considerably. Design for 35-40, and less if budget allows. Golf cart batteries, namely the Trojan T-105 are far superior. Don't let the numbers fool you as manufacturers cook the numbers any which way they can to sell an inferior battery. They put 6 or 8 of them in golf carts. For rv dry camping, 4 of them sets you up pretty good. (Most people, most rv's). This includes all the tv time and computer time you want. They even run my dishwasher every day. That's a 450 amp/hour bank for those of you crunching numbers, 220 use able without over discharging.
Charging: if this is a daily chore, on a bank this size, you need an 80 3 or 5 stage intelligent charger. It will allow you to enter the specific battery you have and it will charge it according to the manufacturers recommended charge algorithm. The best way to get one of these fancy chargers is to get it included with your inverter. Inverter/chargers handle the whole package including your generator and solar panels. If you have electric start on your generator, they will handle that too. So, say you are in a camp ground with geny hours from 10 to 3. A nice inverter/charger will let you input that information. And, if you use power like you did for the last month, year, or whatever. The inverter will start the geny and charge you up if it anticipates you running out tonite. Also, say, if you plug into a 20 amp 120 volt plug, you can set your max draw at 17 amps. It will rock your batteries with 80 amps, or maybe 65 if you have good solar at that moment, and automatically decrease if you turn on the microwave for a minute so you don't trip the breaker. A true sine wave inverter, about 1400 watts, with a 80 amp charger, and MPPT charge controller for your panels, can be had for as little as $600. A first rate Xantrex or Outback can be had for about $1800. This charger will get the max life out of your batteries, equalize, desulphate, and maintain during your off season too. It will minimize your geny run time as well without ever over charging.
Let's save MPPT charge controllers for another thread. I will say this, they are meant for you so get one. Chinese knock offs can be had for $50 and you get another 25% out of your panels. Some articles say they are meant for big arrays. They do DC to DC conversion to keep your solar panels producing their max for the given sunlight. Without one, your batteries pull the panels down to their voltage, you can bet that's not the voltage the panel got its 150 or whatever watt rating. They are intended for installations that could benefit by the panels producing up to 30% more power. Does that sound like your situation? I find you can't just keep adding panels to an rv, I run out of space. And, by the way, for dry camping, 4-600 watts sets you up pretty good in your rv. You won't be struggling all the time. Combine that with a good inverter/charger and you have all the power you want, with just 1-3 hours of geny time a day. Stick with wet cell golf Cart batteries unless there is just absolutely no way you can vent them. AGM, or glass mats are considerably more expensive.
once again. Don't get fooled by the numbers, the golf cart batteries will outperform group 27's all night long. If you don't have a good charger, Truecharge is a good one, bring several. Don't be afraid to put 3 or 4 or 5 chargers on your batteries if they are all only 10 or 15 amps.
pm me if you need further help or want me to help design something cool. Or, even not cool but just need some help. I have been installing independent power systems for off grid and on grid applications since 1990.