Batteries-So Confused-What's easy to swap to?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

How many gizmos do you need in your life? How many different things do you need to tend to every couple of days? For most of us, playing with this kind of thing gets old pretty quick. Hard wiring whatever you are going to use into the trailer seems like the easy solution.

Bob

Gee UB, how many "gizmos" do you need in your life? I am always looking for improving the experience with latest technology, especially when considering boondocking situations. Yes, I have a lot of "gizmos"; likely you do too! For "best power solutions", "off grid", not there yet. Still evaluating Li and versatility...hardwiring a portable may not be the right answer for outside portability situations... But that's the beauty of the Forum...always something new to consider....

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Gee UB, how many "gizmos" do you need in your life? I am always looking for improving the experience with latest technology, especially when considering boondocking situations. Yes, I have a lot of "gizmos"; likely you do too! For "best power solutions", "off grid", not there yet. Still evaluating Li and versatility...hardwiring a portable may not be the right answer for outside portability situations... But that's the beauty of the Forum...always something new to consider....

Hi

*Indeed* I do have a lot of gizmos. The limited space for them in the trailer makes me go through a sorting process each season. There are *always* things that get left behind. Anything that can be stuffed in an otherwise unused space in the trailer rates a lot higher than something that competes for room in a drawer / cabinet / bin.

Just for reference, there is a (very large) pile of gear sitting here in the middle of the family room. The project of the month is to work out how to get it small enough to fit in the trailer for next season. The wife has suggested that getting that worked out *before* Thanksgiving would be "a really good idea"...... It is one of several very large piles that will need attention before spring.

All that said, if "portable" 12V power is all that one needs to add to the mix. Renology seems to put their 50AH lithium on sale from time to time. For a bit over $300 you have a lightweight / portable power source .... (don't ask just why that is relevant to sorting out this pile of stuff ..... )

Bob

[GettinAway]

I talked to Randy and swapped out my converter several years ago. Boiled and ruined two batteries, and quickly determined that it was way cheaper to replace the converter.
Now that I’ve changed it once, would I have to change it again if I went to 6 volt?
Thx

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

I talked to Randy and swapped out my converter several years ago. Boiled and ruined two batteries, and quickly determined that it was way cheaper to replace the converter.
Now that I’ve changed it once, would I have to change it again if I went to 6 volt?
Thx

Hi

As long as you are playing with a 12V lead acid system the converter should work. If you go with the T-105's *and* want max performance out of them, the converter would need to be tweaked to match the higher numbers they are looking for. Depending on which gizmo you have tweaking it may or may not be practical.

A "stock" AGM setup will give you 100AH usable capacity out of 200AH of battery. The T-105's get you to 220AH of battery and 110AH of capacity on the same basis. There is debate about the "50% rule". Going to 60% or even 70% once or twice a year is unlikely to destroy either battery. Doing it on a regular basis / several times a week is not a good idea.

In the same space in the trailer, you could (for more money) get 200AH of usable capacity with lithium's. That's on a "use it every day 365 days a year" basis.

Bob

[AirMiles]

Trojan T105 and Duracell EGC2 batteries are designed for continuous deep discharges to 80% (11.8V) without being damaged. Here is what the Trojan manual says on page 16 at this link: http://etukusa.com/wp-content/upload...nglish_003.pdf

5. How To Maximize the Performance of Your Trojan Battery
• Follow all the procedures in this User’s Guide http://etukusa.com/wp-content/upload...nglish_003.pdf for proper installation, maintenance and storage
• Do not discharge your battery more than 80%. This safety factor will eliminate the chance of over-discharging and damaging your battery

I continuously deeply discharge my Duracell EGC2 batteries to 11.8V in cold weather when using my furnace. My batteries have been deeply cycled 248 times over the past 18 months and still test and perform as new. Do not be afraid to deeply discharge a "quality" deep-cycle wet-cell battery. Trojan T105's and Duracell EGC2's are identified as "quality" deep-cycle wet-cell batteries per this paper: https://marinehowto.com/what-is-a-deep-cycle-battery/ I've abused both T105's and now my EGC2's over the years and would highly recommend either of these two batteries.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

I talked to Randy and swapped out my converter several years ago. Boiled and ruined two batteries, and quickly determined that it was way cheaper to replace the converter.
Now that I’ve changed it once, would I have to change it again if I went to 6 volt?
Thx

Not sure which converter you got from Randy? I got the Boondocker 55A model for my 28 couple years back, and also switched from Interstate 12V's (which went bad shortly after delivery) to T105's also. No issues with my converter and these batteries have served us well past 2 years...no experience with the Duracell's but lots of folks like them also. I would check with Randy on your model converter and go for it!

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Not sure which converter you got from Randy? I got the Boondocker 55A model for my 28 couple years back, and also switched from Interstate 12V's (which went bad shortly after delivery) to T105's also. No issues with my converter and these batteries have served us well past 2 years...no experience with the Duracell's but lots of folks like them also. I would check with Randy on your model converter and go for it!

Thanks, I did the upgrade a long time ago. I’ll have to dig up my paperwork.