Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-05-2007, 10:02 AM   #1
Full-timer
 
1971 27' Overlander
Pumpkintown , South Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 60
Mixing batteries of different ages

Hi y’all:

I know that it’s not optimal, but how important is it to not mix batteries of different ages in an interconnected bank? I’m aware of the “lowest common denominator” line of thought, but wonder how much practical wiggle room exists. Here’s the deal:

I intend to eventually have 8 golf cart batteries (full-time off grid), with 4-600 watts of solar. Finances are such that I can’t just now pop for the whole deal, and the filthy lucre situation is not likely to drastically improve. Probably I’ll start out with one or two panels and two batteries, and add capacity as cash allows. I hate the thought of getting a pair of throwaway batteries just to replace them with four, and again with eight when I can finally afford the full setup.

So, if I tried to start with two of the batteries I want, then add more later, would I be seriously screwing the pooch, or just sliding by in somewhat sub-optimal bliss (which is my general lifestyle anyhow)? Alternately; I suppose I could get a couple of cheap-ish 12-volt deep-cycles now and later use them for something else like reserve capacity for the old Jeep, but that would stretch-out the timeline on getting to where I want to be and add more stuff to a life striving for the opposite.

All thoughts, love letters, hate mail and brain farts welcome.
__________________
}}}}

It's not the heat, it's the stupidity.
Foureagles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 10:59 AM   #2
Always Airstreaming!
 
rickandsandi's Avatar
 
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown , Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
Send a message via AIM to rickandsandi
Greetings-

Well you always see the small print when you buy electronics that say never mix batteries. With deep cell batteries the rule is the same but really does have adverse effects. If you were to hook up a two year old battery with only 80% life left to new battery, over the course of only a few charging the battery will become handicapped to to old battery. Because the old can only absorb 80% charge it will carry to the new one.
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
rickandsandi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trailer Batteries 83Excella Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 8 02-04-2013 10:57 PM
Batteries & Solar Charles Q Treichel Generators & Solar Power 2 12-02-2008 12:06 PM
Upgrading batteries Les Gilliam Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 5 10-16-2002 11:58 AM
Batteries..All about batteries FrankR Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 0 07-17-2002 09:05 PM
Where should I install new batteries? Andy R Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 3 03-31-2002 10:01 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.