Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:16:40 -0700
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Deep Cycle Batteries
In-Reply-To: <000401c7d2c0$af2e7640$0402a8c0@DESKTOPXP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
vanagonvw typed:
>
> Everyone's westy is unique to them, and likely so are their battery
> requirements....
>
Best advice ever.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
vanagonvw typed:
> 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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