Advice on Batteries
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 13:02
ThreadID:
3123
Views:
2609
Replies:
5
FollowUps:
9
This Thread has been Archived
Member - NOBBY
Can I please get your thoughts on which type of Battery to buy. I have a camper trailer and run a evakool RF60 fridge freezer plus normal fluro lights. I also have the new Christie Eng. Battery Charger. They claim to have a Max Output of 100amps. The Batteries I have now are stuffed and Christies suggested Delkor Calcium with a CCA rating of 700 - 900. The 900 ones are to big for our set up ( in size ). Other people say get Deep cycle Batteries. Christies say that Deep Cycle will last longer but need longer to recharge whereas normal cranking batteries will charge ( with our setup) in about 40 minutes. Any ideas from anyone? Please bear in mind that we already have all this gear so I don't need " Go and buy a solar system idiot" Also on another note the new Christie alt. is very quiet. Not as quiet as the Honda EU10 but about half as quiet as the 55amp christie set, and because of the power (3hp Honda motor) you can throttle it right back to nearly idle and you can hardly hear it.
Reply By: OziExplorer - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 13:33
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 13:33
A calcium battery is completely unsuitable for your purpose and would probably say the worst battery you could use to try and use as a deep cycle. It would last a very short time indeed.
What a calcium battery is designed to do, is to be supply a *large* amount of current for a short time. They are a virtually a no maintaince battery for the first 24 months, create little to no gas, but do if you wind them up, but takes a bit, and for their purpose of supplying high cranking amps for a short time are excellent.
A Calcium battery is most definitely not suitable for a deep cycle battery under any circumstances.
Phone any battery company technical department and they will inform you about the purpose of a calcium battery and its unsuitability to use as a deep cycle battery.
I don't think I could recommend any battery to be continuously charged with a Christie 100amp alternator. They are good for taking into the field to say charge a flat battery in a bulldozer, but not on a continual basis.
AnswerID:
11997
Follow Up By: Oziexplorer - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 19:15
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 19:15
Nobby, as a matter of interest, if you find a battery manufacturer/distributor that comes up with a battery to suit your needs, I would be delighted to be informed. Just in case you think this is a smart *.* post, I am most definitely interested who has such a beast/battery. To date, I have never found a battery that would be able to be charged like you want to do with that Christie Honda device.
FollowupID:
6918
Follow Up By: Michael Ralston - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 08:38
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 08:38
Ozi
I am interested in your comments regarding Calcium batteries being unsuitable for deep cycling. Are you suggesting that the Delkor Deep Cycle batteries are not much chop or are you saying that the starting battery range is no good for deep cycling? One of the advantages I can see with a Delkor DC battery is their long shelf life. This would appeal to many 4WDers who only use their vehicles ocassionally.
Regards
Michael
FollowupID:
6962
Reply By: Member - NOBBY - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 09:02
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 09:02
OZ AND OTHERS... THANKS FOR THE REPLYS. AS TO YOUR QUESTION AS TO WHAT AND HOW WE WILL BE USING OUR SET UP. HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE IN ONE
CAMP FOR ABOUT A WEEK AT A TIME. WE NOW GO TO STRADBROKE ISL FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AT A TIME ABOUT THREE TIMES A YEAR AND THE REST IS FOR LONG WEEKENDS WHENEVER WE CAN. ANY TIME SHORTER THAN THE 10 DAY TRIPS WE WILL BE HAVING THE BATTERIES CHARGED BE THE CAR EN ROUTE TO
CAMP AND THAT SHOULD DO THE CHARGING FOR THE WEEKEND. WHEN WE CANNOT GET AWAY FOR MORE THAN A MONTH I WILL BE PUTTING THE BATTERIES ON CHARGE AT
HOME PROBABLY ON DEMAND. FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SAID OBVIOUSLY DEEP CYCLE IS THE WAY TO GO SO IT JUST COMES DOWN TO BRAND AND SIZE. THE SIZE IS GOVERNED BY THE SIZE OF OUR BATTERY BOX AND AVAILABLE SPACE. I REALIZE THAT YOU CANNOT LET THEM RUN COMPLETELY DOWN. WE HAVE A VOLT METRE ON THE TRAILER SO WHEN IT SHOWS A READING OF PERHAPSE 11.5, HIT IT WITH THE CHARGER.THANKS ALL FOR THE RESPONSES. IF ANYONE HAS ANY MORE TO SAY I WOULD STILL BE GREATFUL..
NOBBY
AnswerID:
12057
Follow Up By: Tod - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 09:24
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 09:24
Nobby
Do your self a favour and read the specs on Odyssey batteries. A bit more expensive to buy, but cheaper in the long run. I have one as a second battery and has lasted for over 5 years. It will act as a deep cycle and cranking battery if needed. When my original cranking battery fails in my deisel I will replace it with an Odyssey.
FollowupID:
6965
Reply By: george - Friday, Jan 31, 2003 at 20:00
Friday, Jan 31, 2003 at 20:00
No need to waste to much money, stick with a Deep Cycle lead acid battery, Century, Exide or Supercharge (even try Century's second
shop on 1300 361 161). Remember that most of the people selling you these things want to sell you not always what you need, but what they make most profit on! PS. top choice of fridge!!
AnswerID:
12278