Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:45:40 -0600
Reply-To: vanagonvw <vanagonvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: vanagonvw <vanagonvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Deep Cycle Batteries
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Geza Polony wrote:
> Sorry to have hijacked this thread with my own aux battery probs,
I may have done the same thing! :-)
> In other words, just putting the Optima (or whatever) in and
> connecting it
> to the relay, etc., is NEVER going to be enough to keep it fully
> charged?
I don't know that much about the Optima. I was referring to lead acid, true
deep cycle batteries, which cannot be properly, and fully charged, with a
car alternator. I would defer to whatever Optima designers publish, and I
think I have read where they say a car alternator is okay, so either its not
a true deep cycle, or their technology allows for such a method.
FWIW, the alternator will charge to a point, and get it back there most
every time, but that may not be "fully charged" to begin with.
>>So to
> really get
> the max out of a deep cycle battery, you have to use a separate
> charger?
> I'll try it but sure seems like a PITA to have to do.
Just again, referring to a lead acid, true deep cycle battery... <g>
Everyone uses their batteries differently. Some folks could use a home
charger, and then not recharge during their trip, depending on all kinds of
variables. Others, would be well to use the better charger at home to
maintain it, and if it requires a recharge during a trip, well, that won't
really be so bad to do once in a while.
It is a PITA :-) and so many justifiably decide not to do it. All that
matters, is that they understand the consequences, and will undestand the
results. There are no federal laws on battery charging :-)
The key is to know how much power you will be needing in the first place.
>
> If they're not made to be charged "with a constant dump of current,"
> then
> how can you connect them to our typical alternator/relay systems to
> good effect?
Again, you cannot get the max life and capacity from them, using a car
alternator. The difference is how "full" you can get the battery. A car
alternator doesn't have that capability. Its up to the user to decide how
much they need, and how much they can live without. If you check out the
alternative energy sites, and places that advocate solar power for homes,
there is tons of info on how to test and check the state of charge of deep
cycle batteries. Those folks know how to get the max capacity and life out
of their batteries, as they live off of them. Its true that Westy owners may
not need to find that extra 5-10 amps, but its all about taking care of the
investment, and getting the most out of it.
Almost more than the issue of charging, is the issue of discharging the
battery below 50% and how much that can hurt the battery. Folks who buy a
100Ah battery, should remember that they can really only get 50Ah out of it.
To discharge it deeper, more than a few times, really affects the life of
even the best batteries, as well as the ability to restore it to a full
charge.
I know a lot of people just buy Walmart marine batteries, and after "beating
them up" just take em back for warranty replacement <g> If that works for
them, that is the way to go. Its all in the individual's expectations I
guess <shrug>
Everyone's westy is unique to them, and likely so are their battery
requirements....
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