Trojan T-145 6V Battery

[kscherzi]

Has anybody tried these batteries? The literature asserts 260 amp hours (20 hour), which means 130 amp hours in a 12 volt environment. They fit in the battery box, at least those that are deep for a 6 volt battery. They do weigh 72 lbs each. Am looking to replace the two original 12V interstates batteries of an effective 80 amp hours. Reviews?

[Caffeinated]

This may or may not help your decision. I replaced my 13 month old DEAD interstates with Trojan 12 v wet cells. They have been performing flawlessly ever since. (I also replaced the converter)

Mike

[68 Overlander]

Certainly nothing wrong with Trojans of any type with an upgraded converter. There are many die hard flooded battery fans out there and will be for a long time even as AGM and Lithium come on. I have some too and they hold a great charge.

[Rocinante]

The biggest batteries that fit into Rocinante's battery box, unmodified, are Lifeline Group 27 http://lifelinebatteries.com/product...eries/gpl-27t/ (turn them 90 degrees). Actually, we used these batteries, which are about the same size but much less expensive since they are conventional flooded-cell units: http://dynobattery.com/products/12-v...and-rv/27m.php

Any bigger, depending on the model year of your Airstream, and you may have mod the battery box to fit them in. (Rocinante is a 2014 27FB.)

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by 68 Overlander

Certainly nothing wrong with Trojans of any type with an upgraded converter. There are many die hard flooded battery fans out there and will be for a long time even as AGM and Lithium come on. I have some too and they hold a great charge.

I have the original Interstate batteries going on their fourth year. If I have to replace them this year I will still be money ahead.
Witnessing the gyrations and cost people go through to accommodate some of these batteries especially Lithium makes me think that battery technology is not as advanced as its cracked up to be.
I will switch to Lithium when I can get a couple of them for close to what the simple Interstates cost and when I can simply plop them in and keep going. Than I will consider them advanced.
I feel the same way about the Tesla. A $ 90,000 joke.

[Silvr_Lining]

Two things; having 130 amp hours available is a nice feature, but remember you will need to add them (amp hours of charge) back in. That's either a plugin for an extensive amount of time, or solar. And solar would be very extensive!
The other is weight. I saw your mention of 72 lbs. That's quite a bit of tongue weight! However, I use eight of these for a solar off-grid site and they are awesome!!!

[ramblinjim]

I put two Trogan 105 6 volts in our 25 ft FC. I had to modify the battery box and thanks to this forum, learned how to do that. We have put 25 nights, all off grid, on those batteries and they are doing fine. I like my Trogan batteries. I used 105s in my last trailer for 8 years with no problems. I did upgrade the charger.

[openroad118]

A Series batt connection will double the voltage to 12V. How do you get half the AH? It should stay at what the batt is. A Parallel connection would stay at 6V and double the AH. Or am I missing something?

[fran&frank]

I'm guessing the OP was halving the AH because the don't want to run the batteries down more than 50%.--Frank

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by fran&frank

I'm guessing the OP was halving the AH because the don't want to run the batteries down more than 50%.--Frank

Yup! AGM or wet cell batteries should not be discharged lower than 50% so if you have 200 AH batteries you have 100 AH of usable energy. I've read that you can discharge lithiums down to 20% charge without degradation of the battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[guskmg]

For you naysayers: The technology is here and the prices will come down. Large deposits of Lithium have been discovered in Alaska. We will no longer will be dependent on the Chicoms. Both AGM and Li batteries have a much longer life than flooded batteries if maintained per manufactures recommendation. Sooner or later the cost vs. benefit curve will cross and go positive. I replaces my system and the cost was almost equal to Timeless Trailer's propane generator installation estimate. I really love the convience of not having to hook up all the time on overnight stops. My tongue weight also dropped significantly.
guskmg

[SeeMore]

guskmg - A large deposit of graphite useable in lithium battery manufacturing was discovered recently in Alaska but I haven't seen anything about a lithium discovery. Any specific news on location, size, and by whom that you can provide or link to would be warmly received.

[Soyboy]

My last set of Trojans 6V lasted 7 years and that was with a lot of abuse (before I put solar panels on the roof). I wouldn't be surprised if the new ones I put in last spring last even longer.

[kscherzi]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I understand the Trojan T-105 is a popular choice for RV's. It has a 20 hour rating of 225 amps (or 110 usable). They weigh 64 lbs each. My 4 year old stock Airstream Interstates have 80 amp hours usable and weigh about 47 lbs each. I was just wondering if anyone had tried the T-145 6 volt battery, it has 260 amp hours rating (130 usable) but weighs yet more. It should fit into the Airstream battery box if modified to accommodate 6 volt batteries which I've already done. I'll admit I'm concerned about adding too much to tongue weight.

On the lithium option, when someone invents a lithium replacement that fits inside the battery box, doesn't require wholesale rewiring and replacement of existing electrical components, and is sensibly priced, then I'll get that.

[Troutboy]

Here you go! These guys claim just drop it in.........

http://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/

I have no experience with these, so not recommending, but you asked, lol.

I just ordered solar upgrade equipment from AM Solar and I'm on the wait list for 36amp-hr kit. It's not much more wiring.

Thx



Thx
Troutboy, aka Rich

[Troutboy]

BTW, they are WAY more expensive......


Thx
Troutboy, aka Rich

[WindyJim]

Two years ago I switched to the Trojan T-105 batteries in my 25'AS, and use them extensively. Essentially all of our camping is dry camping and after modifying the battery box I was able to fit the two 6-volt batteries. All the difference in the world, and they weren't that much more expensive than just replacing the size 24 batteries. I needed to replace my batteries so decided it was a good time to make the change. I wish Airstream would provide this option from the factory. My understanding is Airstream did finally provide larger battery boxes on the new Airstreams that will allow the 6-volt batteries to fit.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I understand the Trojan T-105 is a popular choice for RV's. It has a 20 hour rating of 225 amps (or 110 usable). They weigh 64 lbs each. My 4 year old stock Airstream Interstates have 80 amp hours usable and weigh about 47 lbs each. I was just wondering if anyone had tried the T-145 6 volt battery, it has 260 amp hours rating (130 usable) but weighs yet more. It should fit into the Airstream battery box if modified to accommodate 6 volt batteries which I've already done. I'll admit I'm concerned about adding too much to tongue weight.

On the lithium option, when someone invents a lithium replacement that fits inside the battery box, doesn't require wholesale rewiring and replacement of existing electrical components, and is sensibly priced, then I'll get that.

The T-145 6 Volt batteries look like the most sensible upgrade that I am considering when the Interstates give out. Extending the battery box is not a major project and the overall cost is reasonable for the additional power.
We have done 3 nights of dry camping with the stock Internationals and from what I read they would allow us 5 and for us that is about all we need. My wife likes all the comforts of modern life and is not into roughing it.

Just out of curiosity, on another thread there was a discussion of roof leaks. How do you deal with roof inspections, cleaning and maintenance with an array of Solar Panels up there ?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

..................................

Just out of curiosity, on another thread there was a discussion of roof leaks. How do you deal with roof inspections, cleaning and maintenance with an array of Solar Panels up there ?

If you use 'Z feet' as mounting brackets for your solar panels and screw then into your roof, you will really have a difficult time removing them for cleaning/inspection.

AM Solar's rocker foot mounting system allows you to easily tilt the panels for complete access under them for inspection/cleaning. They are also adjustable and allow you to mount the panels level to the ground so that they all receive the same amount of solar radiance regardless of the sun angle. Definitely a better way to go!!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

Here you go! These guys claim just drop it in.........

http://www.lithiumion-batteries.com/

I have no experience with these, so not recommending, but you asked, lol.

I just ordered solar upgrade equipment from AM Solar and I'm on the wait list for 36amp-hr kit. It's not much more wiring.

Thx



Thx
Troutboy, aka Rich

What I see is having to spend about $ 2,200.00 for comparable 80 AH batteries to go Lithium. I won't live long enough to spend that on stock Interstates I have now.
Like I said, Lithium has a long way to go before it can be taken seriously. Just
Tesla.
They are both rich folks toys.