Second Battery

Submitted: Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
ThreadID: 2237 Views:1702 Replies:7 FollowUps:9
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Ok,

Ive searched the archives for answers, and want to see what the latest thoughts are on what sort of battery to run with my Piranha Dual Battery System in a GQ Diesel.

What are people using?
I want it for winching, accessories, and in about 20yrs when I can afford an Engel, when they come down to around $200 One of them...
Thanks.
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Reply By: Melissa - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
I dunno about the Engels coming down in price Truckster. Despite all the competition out there these days, they still seem to be holding their own. :-)Melissa
AnswerID: 7933

Follow Up By: Truckster - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
I just have problems in my mind justifying $1000+ for somethin to sit in the shed for 90% of the year!
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FollowupID: 3679

Follow Up By: Melissa - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
You could always buy second hand as we have done twice now. Save anywhere from $200-$600. Usually plenty on the market and because of Engels reliability, you'd be unlucky to get a dud. But you're right it is a lot of money either way and as with everything, is a matter of priorities. :-) Melissa
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FollowupID: 3680

Follow Up By: Mick - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
Or buy a second hand Finch 3 way for About $100. I did 5 years ago and it has always performed as well as the Engels in the groups we've travelled with ... and if we stay in one spot for days there's no problem with batteries!
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Follow Up By: Alex - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
G'day,
if you're worried about the engel sitting in the shed unused for 90% of the year, mount it permanently in the truck - that way its always ready for barbies or drinks with mates, and it only spends 85% of the year unused!!
Cheeers, Alex.
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Follow Up By: Coops - Thursday, Oct 31, 2002 at 01:00

Thursday, Oct 31, 2002 at 01:00
mine sits in the shed too mate but I found that by filling it with beer I spend a lot more time in the shed and get more things done. Have more visitors too !!! The Engel thing is a major dilemna and I was fortunate enough to have ben given one as a present. I'm sure you'll feel justifiably satisfied if and when you do eventually buy one. There not much cheaper second hand though.
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Reply By: Member - Nigel - Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Oct 28, 2002 at 01:00
For winching you'd be best to use a starter or hybrid battery (eg Century Severe Service or Exide Extreme), as most deep cycles wouldn't like the current draw of a winch.

As for fridges, yeah they cost a lot, but we make sure we get lots of use out of ours - at least one camping trip a month, plus we use it for day trips on the other weekends (ie we bought it for the camping trips, but use it at other times coz it's there).
AnswerID: 7964

Reply By: Russell - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
Have done only limited research on this but always get the same reply;
Limited use - starting battery
Serious camping with bells and whistles - deep cycle

As for Engels, lash out, you'll never regret it. Mine has done Gibb River, Cape Leveque, Steep Point, Running Waters, Gregory Gorge plus thousands of K's over Pilbara roads for work. And a rollover. In short, some of the worst corrugations and treatment you can dish out and it's never missed a beat.

Regards
Russell
AnswerID: 7973

Follow Up By: Truckster - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
Mine has done Gibb River, Cape Leveque, Steep Point, Running Waters, Gregory Gorge plus thousands of K's over Pilbara roads for work...

If I bought one, it would probably do all those trips too, problems is I wouldnt be able to afford to do them with the fridge!
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FollowupID: 3725

Reply By: troy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
Truckster,

I recently did the second battery purchase thing, here is what i found.

Deep Cycles are designed to be fully used, then fully recharged, so in theory good for camping with slow draw rates over time.

However, with a dual battery set up, the car turns on and off etc for short periods, long periods....who knows. so a "starting" battery is more suited to partial drawings and partial recharge etc etc.

So in short, I ended up with two identical batteries, as i tend not to camp in the one spot for more than a day or two.

BTW I went for AC Delco (NA70 or something I think) sealed cell.

hope this info helps

TW
AnswerID: 7984

Follow Up By: Member - Nigel - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
actually deep cycles last longest when only used to 50% capacity then recharged.

starter batteries last longest when only used to 5% capacity.
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FollowupID: 3749

Reply By: Wayne - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
re the Fridge, when i'm not camping i run mine (Engel) constantly at home as a bar fridge.
AnswerID: 7998

Follow Up By: Truckster - Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002 at 01:00
We have 2 bar fridges now, the problem is stocking them! or shoudl I say KEEPING them stocked!!
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FollowupID: 3745

Reply By: Topcat - Friday, Nov 01, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Nov 01, 2002 at 01:00
Truckster, I run two Magnum 250 amphr deepcycle batteries (American Manufacture)connected in series to give 12volts. They run a 60ltr. Trailblazer fridge in full freezer setup plus an 800watt 240volt invertor & all my comms gear (UHF/VHF & HF) and at times a 10tonne electric winch & camp lighting at night. They have been in the vehicle for the last 8 years & have never failed me (yet!). I make sure they never go under 50% full charge & with the fridge running flat out I have 2- 80 watt BP solar panels to keep the charge up while not travelling & they have never got below 75% full charge.
AnswerID: 8103

Follow Up By: Member - Nigel - Sunday, Nov 03, 2002 at 01:00

Sunday, Nov 03, 2002 at 01:00
Amazing how long a battery will last when they are not totally flattened and recharged correctly. It always amuses me when people get a starter battery, flatten it totally on every trip and then complain that they have to replace it after 6 months (or 12 for a deep cycle abused in the same way).
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FollowupID: 3844

Reply By: Topcat - Friday, Nov 01, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Nov 01, 2002 at 01:00
Truckster, I run two Magnum 250 amphr deepcycle batteries (American Manufacture)connected in series to give 12volts. They run a 60ltr. Trailblazer fridge in full freezer setup plus an 800watt 240volt invertor & all my comms gear (UHF/VHF & HF) and at times a 10tonne electric winch & camp lighting at night. They have been in the vehicle for the last 8 years & have never failed me (yet!). I make sure they never go under 50% full charge & with the fridge running flat out I have 2- 80 watt BP solar panels to keep the charge up while not travelling & they have never got below 75% full charge.
AnswerID: 8104

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