marc71
South East VA
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TT batteries: I'm about to get 2 new batteries, 2 - 12V deep cycle (NAPA brand or something like it 90 bucks ea) or 2 - 6v deep cycle (Trojan T-105 128 bucks ea.)? That is the question!!! We generally dry camp for 3-5 days when we go to races (we're leaving for Martinsville on Thursday). We're not huge energy hogs, but will need to run the water pump, some lights from time to time and the radio... Plus, we have a 1500 watt modi-sinewave inverter to catch some of the pre race info on a 19" flat panel tv and satellite box. Is there really a HUGE difference between 2-6's and 2-12's? Are we talking days difference before charging is necessary. We're bringing our 5500 generator, but it's not very ummmm... neighbor friendly! So,,, who's got what and how well does it work becuase that is a pretty good size difference in price not to mention having to get new boxes to hold the taller 6v batteries if they make them? Thanks for the help...
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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Sams club had batteries equivilant to the Trojans ( same weight and same amp hours) for $71.00 each. The two 12v batteries usually don't have as many usable amp hours as two 6v deep cycle batteries.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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It is all about the numbers... There are several numbers
My suggestion is if the letters CA or CCA followed by a number appear anywhere on the battery... Forget that one.. IT is a starting or marine battery, you want a true deep cycle (And yes I have seen, recently, a "small" 12 volt depe cycle, ok 125 amp hours (By small I mean I can carry one)
The number you are interested in is amp hours.. A pair of golf standard six volt golf car batteries is 232 of those.. The "Heavey duty types" might hit 250-260 (Never looked) Two of those 12 volt jobs I spotted the other day is 250, In short (since you basically ignore 10 percent differences) all the same
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marc71
South East VA
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The two I just saw at NAPA were only 80 amp hours for 79.99... I take it those are too small?
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erupert
Churchville, Maryland
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marc71 wrote:The two I just saw at NAPA were only 80 amp hours for 79.99... I take it those are too small?
Way too small. Look up your local Interstate Battery Warehouse (there are retailers and somewhere near you an actual supplier to the dealers). I bought all my 6V batteries there and was quoted less than my local retailer. I have (4) of the U2300's (242 Amp hours each).
Check out any of the online conversion tools and you will see that running your inverter (which takes 12v up to 110v) creates a huge draw on the batteries. You won't much run time at all from 160 amp hours.
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BillyW
North ID
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Another consideration is how they will fit in their storage location. On my travel trailer, I could only fit 2 six volt batteries or 2 group 24 twelve volt batteries (including battery boxes) on the tongue. I opted for the six volt and couldn't be happier. Group 27 and higher twelve volt batteries are longer, where as six volt batteries are taller.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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marc71 wrote:The two I just saw at NAPA were only 80 amp hours for 79.99... I take it those are too small?
Well, two of 'em is 160 amp hours.. That is way different than 232 amp hours..
As for them being too small it all depends.
For some folks a 20 amp hour garden tractor battery is "Big enough" since they will never actually use it
For others.. Who like to camp "Off the grid" from time to time, I'd suggest a minimum of 4 Golf Cart batteries (464 amp hours)
I think you said you boondock on occasion, so I'd go for the most amp hours, and in that case, yes they are too small
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CHRMAN
left coast
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I've done this in the past. Add up the HUP(hours of power) needed to run your appliance & other power users between chargings. Look at the capabilities of batteries available & whether the batteries are maintaince free. I don't have current knowledge of all batteries,but the history of problems in my expirence was batteries that were not sealed or were not of the OPTIMA brand type of technology. I wouldn't use 6V golf batteries if they were free to me,PERIOD!!!. Certainly one could live with 6V golf cart batteries if they are on slide out trays for easy maintaince & the neither charging system wasn't causing depletion of the water/electrolite. I would only buy Optima's for this type of use. The HUP needed is expensive per hour used.Maybe even a few dollars per hour of useage,in the long run.JMO
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Gee.. I have been using Golf Car six volts (Interstate U-2200) for 3 years now and have added water 3 times and have no problems, no sign of fading no evidence of problems.. I do have a good converter (PD with Charge wizard)
I would never use an OPTIMA. You pay a Higher price for 70% of battery. That's right, optimas are about 1/4 missing (I once worked out the precentages, don't recall exactly what it was but it was somewhere in the 70's) they are very simply "Not all there" when compared to a straight up AGM like a lifeline or MK (I also have MK's.. I like my Interstates better)
To the O/P
When you pair up golf car batteries like this
Batt--Batt You add voltage, then consider it as one BATTERY
When you add batteries like this
Battery
Battery
You add amp hours
So one golf car is 232 amp hour at six volt
Two are 232 amp hours at 12 volt
Four are 464 at 12 volt (if hooked up properly)
The big 12 volt deep cycle I found was 125 at 12 volt
two would be 250
Your 80 amps are 1:80 2: 160 3: 240
It woudl take 3 of 'em to = 2 golf car batteries
In some cases ease of service mandates a VRLA battery such as an AGM.
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Also remember that standard 12 volt batteries shouldn't be drawn down near as low as a deep cycle 6 volt which can go many more cycles but down to 50% charge without shortening it's life. There are 12 volt deep cycle batteries but you will PAY for them. The 6 volt golf cart batteries are the most bang for the buck!
AGM are another type, good but VERY expensive and I would never use them unless there was a very specifice legal reason why they were required.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
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