6volt or 12volt battery bank?

[MtnDon]

That is the theory. But in real life off grid practice it is not so critical. People do run parallel connected batteries all the time, even though technically it is not best practice. We run a triple parallel bank of golf cart batteries off grid. Three series strings of four 6 volt GC-2's in parallel. They have been in service for 5 years 7 months and still serve us well. They are monitored, fluid levels kept up, not discharged more than 1/3, usually less, never left in a state of partial charge more than 24 hours as a rule and equalized when the cell sp. gr. differences get to be greater than 0.015. Ocassionally we selarate the parallel strings and equalize each independently.

If possible it is always best to use series only, no parallel batteries. But in the real world that sometimes means batteries that are more expensive than what we want to spend, to have the amp hour capacity we want. So we make compromises. With good monitoring, sensible use and maintenance it can work outwell. Experience has shown that three parallel strings should be the limit. We also use cables much larger thannecessary to reduce resistance and connect the series strings to heavy copper buss bars.

I fully expect to get 7 years or more out of the 12 golf cart batteries. Not too bad for a technically inferior battery bank.

[lrrowe]

That is what I am counting on and then in 7 years, the Lithium concerns will be past us and I can go that route then.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Great thread guys!!
I use a single grp 27 deep cycle at 840 amps/675 cold cranking/101 amp hours. I have installed or converted all lights to LED's and in nice weather can dry camp for 5 to 7 days without starting the generator (actually, since all lights were converted, I have not had to use the generator). However, with all that said, that means careful use of lighting and fans, and I use an ice box in lieu of a frig and it will generally will need ice before the battery gets low.

Now, I did add a small TV for the wife last fall (never used when dry camping yet) and will be installing an AM/FM/CD radio and a Ham band FM radio as soon as the trailer thaws ... I do not anticipate much use when in the field, but if not overused, a little radio in the evening or to catch the news and the Ham rig for emergency use or outside contact (I often camp where the cell phone doesn't work), and getting up-to-date weather is comforting.


However, they can put a drain on the battery, especially the 50 watt Ham radio when transmitting, so care needs to be exerted.



I also know a dead battery dies a silent death and use a Battery Tender when the trailer is on shore power or parked at home ... or getting anything out of it is like



I would like to look into solar cells in the next year or two, but cannot justify at this time.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

:thumbsup:
That is what I am counting on and then in 7 years, the Lithium concerns will be past us and I can go that route then.

Psssssssst the L word has been around since 1991, what do you expect to change in the next 7

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

I am old school, I guess and not sure I would go the extra cost of LI batteries over LA in a camping trailer. I would probably go for solar cell/s to give me a charge during the day if I used more electricity or dry-camped for more than 5 or 6 days or used the ?? TV or radio ?? a lot, but I have not found the need yet _ besides I go camping to get away from those things as much as possible ... If I am out away from shore power for more than 5 or six days, I can start my little genny and charge the battery in an hour or so with the 10 amp charger that I carry for just such times.

My wife likes a little TV, but most places where I do not have shore power, I can't get any TV stations either ... it was a Menard's sale item and it made my wife happy to install a TV in our CT ... Happy wife, happy life ...

[lrrowe]

:thumbsup:
That is what I am counting on and then in 7 years, the Lithium concerns will be past us and I can go that route then.

Psssssssst the L word has been around since 1991, what do you expect to change in the next 7

But the key point is that I have not been studying them for 7 years in the past and going forward, I could have the next 7 years to totally understand how to use them in my application needs. I am conservative with my money and to me going this slow is right for me. My decision is made.