Just switched to two 6V batteries: amazing results

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by tpi

Why should there be a battle? Both configurations are very successful. If the 6 volt configuration can squeeze more amp hours into a space due to battery dimensions why not consider it? Or vice versa for that matter.

Sorry, just stirring the pot (with an odd sense of humor), I didn't mean to offend or stifle the discussion. We are of the two 6v batteries in series cult... I will take every extra Amp Hour we can get.

[tpi]

Hey Scott it's good..

I just saw a guy with five posts, with what looks to be a good modification. It's not the only way of course, but it looked trim and elegant to me. It looked like it was really well done. Even on the first page, long gaseous posts nit picking and missing the point (not mentioning any names lol). No wonder the guy only posted five times on this forum.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by tpi

I think the mod the OP did was excellent, and it was lost in a lot of ridiculous static on this thread. Very much unlike what's typical on this forum.

You must read a different AIR Forums than I do.

[ROBERT CROSS]

OP.....5-09-2010......

Guess the batteries are dead by now.....

I know the thread is....

Bob

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

OP.....5-09-2010......

Guess the batteries are dead by now.....

I know the thread is....

Bob

I'm not too sure about that. It looks like this thread is getting"recharged"

If the OP is still using the Forum, maybe he will post an update. I for one would be interested in a status report.

[Goal15]

now what's this about batteries? Lol

[Aolani]

So, like the Phoenix, this thread is reborn? I'm the OP guy.

To the specific question on if we're still using the config and how it works: Yep, we are and we're still pleased. Subsequently (a year ago?) we also changed our converter to the Parallax plug-in one compatible with our 2010 Airstream (I don't remember the model number offhand, but it's readily available online). The idea was to reduce battery recharge time when using the generator.

It's really tough to identify the specific contributions of these individual bits of boondoggle-driven changes: solar, LED, power conservation steps, battery type/config/capacity, converter, etc. But it all seems to be going the right direction.

Airforums remains a great resource for us. Thanks to all of you (well most of you), for the helpful information!

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by Aolani

So, like the Phoenix, this thread is reborn? I'm the OP guy.

To the specific question on if we're still using the config and how it works: Yep, we are and we're still pleased. Subsequently (a year ago?) we also changed our converter to the Parallax plug-in one compatible with our 2010 Airstream (I don't remember the model number offhand, but it's readily available online). The idea was to reduce battery recharge time when using the generator.

It's really tough to identify the specific contributions of these individual bits of boondoggle-driven changes: solar, LED, power conservation steps, battery type/config/capacity, converter, etc. But it all seems to be going the right direction.

Airforums remains a great resource for us. Thanks to all of you (well most of you), for the helpful information!

Well, how about that! Six posts since 5/10 (~2.5 years) and the OP sees my request for a status update and responds the very NEXT day. Aolani, have you really been hanging out here all this time without posting or have you, like the Phoenix, figured out how to be re-born as a one rivet member?

[Wild-Air]

Well, it seems Aolani knows what he's talking about. I certainly appreciate your contribution as adding 6v GC batteries is on my list of things to do. And even if others think having 6v batteries is a waste of money, so is pulling a travel trailer - it's all about enjoying life, right? We can enjoy it by making tricky modifications to our AS or hot rod or pickup; enjoy it by installing a digital lawn sprinkler controller or going on a camping trip. Or we can lay in bed and do nothing. Just enjoy it.

[ROBERT CROSS]

WA,

TETO.....It's all about our freedom to waste as we see fit.

...don't forget to keep the 12v's as back-up.
Redundancy is part of the fun.

Bob

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

WA,

TETO.....It's all about our freedom to waste as we see fit.

...don't forget to keep the 12v's as back-up.
Redundancy is part of the fun.

Bob

Repetitiously, repetitively, redundant - I like that.

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by Aolani

To be clear, I was pretty precise in my explanation of the series of events... The two 6V batteries do make an exceptional difference as opposed to the stock 12V ones.

In summary (see original post for specific), we did all the other stuff first - switched to LEDs, installed solar. Still have a pretty substantial drain on batteries overnight - after a confirmed full charge.

THEN, we switched to the new batteries, doing nothing else - and overnight noticed the difference.

In combination, it all adds up, each of the various modifications. But it's clear - and I leave the math and disagreements to others who have tried these specific steps - that the two 6V Lifetime batteries provide much better results for those, like me, who wish to maximize non-generator time.

Sure, they're expensive, but so are Airstreams. I suspect for a reason.

so I'm curious, did you ever work out what was running down your 12v batteries overnight so quickly ? I have a 4yr old single deep cycle 12v battery which has never run out on me, but only ever camp for about 3 or 4 nights ... never pushed it to a week or so. I have LED's throughout, so could run for a year on that. Don't have a furnace but do need a new fridge, I read that new style fridges need power? My '72 is strictly gas as no electronics. I will be dry camping more often and for longer periods, so just now considering 6v and a portable solar panel ....

[TouringDan]

I have a couple of 6v golf cart batteries that I got at Sam’s Club for about $80 each. Mine are 6 years old and doing fine. I am sure that Lifelines are better but I am happy with my cheap batteries.

Dan

[Aolani]

Answering the question of did we ever determine the main cause of the phantom current draw in our trailer... Yes and No (sigh)...

I was out boon docking last year and after a cold, largely-unsuccessful (but fun) morning fishing in southern Oregon I decided why not disconnect everything from the battery and measure the incremental current draw as I reconnected devices. Why not, right?

I was disappointed to find that no isolatable electrical circuit (as I reconnected) drew substantially more than other circuits. No smoking gun. I no longer have the ampere measurements, but as I remember the ones that caused the most, surprising draw were:

a) The factory Airstream radio, which of course never completely powers off. It draws current keeping its guts energized, and when "on" driving the LED display (we have a 2010 model). The subwoofer also seems to draw a bit of quiescent current (meaning when not actively in use).

b) The LP gas detector also drew a bit of un-avoidable current. Not much, but I was surprised. Can't quite leave that disconnected, though.

c) The fridge/freezer, even when on "propane" setting draws current from the display and controller, I suppose. About twice as much as the LP detector and about 1/2 that (I think) of the radio.

d) As a test I turned on my rear-section of [LED] overhead lights, kinda for a test. Not surprisingly they don't draw much. I seem to remember it was about what I expected.

So that's about it - I just did the awkward shrug and put everything back together. I left the experiment with the belief that our Airstream isn't optimized for low quiescent current drain. I wish I could remember the total phantom power drain, but I think it was in the 2-3A range. A funny side note though - my first measurements read negative cumulative) draw, which I at first attributed to a beer-induced reverse connection of the ammeter. And while I could easily do something like that I doubted it. So I checked back out at the battery and you guessed it, the solar panel was slightly charging, even on a cold overcast Oregon day. A good reminder to disconnect the panels when working on the DC.

Sorry no insightful answer.

[DreamStreamr]

Funny, Eric, about the potential for beer-induced polarity swap. Yep, wondered about iffy results sometimes here too. How're your 2010 6v batteries holding up? Or did I miss a post in the middle of the thread about them? I'm entering year six on my pair of 6v batteries, they seem to be doing as well as ever.

About the minimum standing load with fridge on and propane detector connected, our 2005 Airstream seems to run about 1.4 amps. My radio, I think, goes all the way off when I hold the off button until display shuts down. At least the radio's below the threshold of my 0.1 amp sensitivity on my trimetric 2025.

[hshovic]

I have had 6V lifelines for a decade. Bought a new pair two years ago. Noticed a progressive lower performance. Checked voltage, apparently the converter has failed and was undercharging. Both were sulphated. The battery shop where I bought them recovered them as well as possible. They got them back to about 85% of original ah.



This will be the fourth converter (last one was in 2012). Got another multi-stage from bestconverters. But then, its 125,000 miles.