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Date:         Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:37:15 -0700
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Deep Cycle Batteries
In-Reply-To:  <000c01c7d1f6$40fe8310$0301a8c0@MASTERPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks Dennis.

I found some FAQ's about batteries, via link on Frank C's post about his solar setup.

More info on deep cycle hybrids, true deep cycles etc:

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm#Major%20Battery%20Types

Cheers,

Neil.

-- Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

On 7/29/07, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote: > Of the battery choices out there, a conventional flooded cell will be the > most tolerant of use and abuse and provide the longest life. Most of the > 12 volt deep cycle batteries or beefed up starting batteries and still > have short lives of one or 2 seasons. The golf cart batteries are a lot > more tolerant of heavy use. > > > > Of the common, reasonable price brands, Trojans are probably the best. > Best plates and a lot of active material in the plates. Yes there are > better such as Rolls Surrette but bring money. > > > > AGM and Gel batteries is still emerging technologies and the advertising > is a lot of hype. While sold as sealed, they are truly sealed. All of them > have some type of pressure relief vent. Temperature changes can cause the > vents to weep and once the electrolyte is lost it can not be replaced. > Most cell failures are the result of dry out. Unless you truly have an > application requiring a sealed battery, they are not worth the money. > > > > Any battery can boil, off gas from a failure, whatever. For an RV > application, the batteries should be installed in some type of sealed and > vented compartment, especially if you plan to sleep while the batteries > are being charged. This is not always practical so consider a flammable > gas detector. They will pick up hydrogen. Plastic battery boxes are > available for most any sized battery. They can be placed under the seat > and you can install drain and vent of desired. At least if a battery boils > out, the acid will be contained. > > > > For wiring and charging, the circuit needs to sized for both charging the > battery and any load connected to it. This includes inverters. The GC-2 > will pull about 40 amps off the alternator during the bulk charge. Add you > other loads. Best results will also be a direct line from the alternator. > #6 gauge. Also, you want a truly reliable relay. Most important that it > disconects when expected. You want double break contacts like in those > solenoid type cans. Not a small lighting relay. > > > > Dennis >


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