battery/batteries

[parnold]

Just for fun I went out to my trailer and looked at the readings for the fan. First, my interior incandescent light draws 1.4 amps. The fan drew 1.2 amps, however, this was probably a little high since the windows were not open, and the trailer has a cover over it, so the fan would be working harder to move the air than it would in actual usage. I had in my head that the fan drew closer to 1 amp in normal usage. I bought the "cheap" fantastic fan, it was 82.00 dollars, no reverse, no auto shut off.

[terryjones1]

Hi Terry,

Is the battery you found on Amazon a deep cycle battery, or are you using it for another purpose?
It looks like it accepts more charging cycles, and is a "rough duty" battery, but I can't find info on the Amp hour capacity?

Rob

Go to the following site for info on Exide Megacycle AGM200

http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downlo ... ochure.pdf

The info sheet says that it has up to 925 CCA.
That would indicate that the battery was around 200 amp/hours rating, and that is a D4 size battery.

[48Rob]

Hi Terry,

Thank you.

I looked at the page you linked to last night.
I could only find the 200 minute RC rating (reserve capacity).
I searched and searched but could not find a common calculator or formula to turn RC into AH.
I did find some info on another Exide page;
http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downlo ... Manual.pdf
That shows the XMC-31 as having 100 Amp hours capacity.
The chart is at the bottom of the page.

Looks like a pretty good heavy duty battery that ought to last a long longer than the average deep cell!

Rob

[CarlLaFong]

I think I will skip this tread. the 3/4 ton truck is a problem that can't be gotten around. that kills the recharging from the vechile due to the gas consumption.

the need for lots of battery juice is another killer. camping to me is camping and living in a camper is another.

so I will leave this tread a lone enough said.

slow.

Maybe it's because I'm a noob and I don't know all of the, inside, TTT lingo and jargon, but I can't make heads nor tails of this post. Translation please.

[parnold]

Slow's truck uses so much gas that it is impractical to charge the battery in the trailer with it. Slow also camps very minimilistic like I do, so lots of battery capacity isn't necessary.

[CarlLaFong]

Slow's truck uses so much gas that it is impractical to charge the battery in the trailer with it. Slow also camps very minimilistic like I do, so lots of battery capacity isn't necessary.

Ooooooh Kay.......hmmmmm.
There are many people out there that think if you don't pack it in and out on your back, you're a sissy. So the most minimalistic trailer looks like a luxury motorhome to them. I suppose it all depends on your viewpoint. I, for one, believe everyone is doing it right. Some enjoy the challenge of setting out with a back pack, some need a big Class A with 3 slideouts. In the end, whatever spins your crank is what's best for you. I can't stand snobs, no matter what their preference is. I ride bikes. I love bikes. Every one has it's place, whether it is a moped or a Harley. I don't put anyone's ride down, even though mine is the best I ride a 385 horse Boss Hoss. Some people think it is the stupidest thing that they've ever seen. I tend to agree with them in a way, but it works for me and that's all that matters. If your trailer puts a grin on your face, you're doin' it right

[terryjones1]

Hi Terry,

Thank you.

I looked at the page you linked to last night.
I could only find the 200 minute RC rating (reserve capacity).
I searched and searched but could not find a common calculator or formula to turn RC into AH.
I did find some info on another Exide page;
http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downlo ... Manual.pdf
That shows the XMC-31 as having 100 Amp hours capacity.
The chart is at the bottom of the page.

Looks like a pretty good heavy duty battery that ought to last a long longer than the average deep cell!

Rob

I contacted Exide by phone.
They advised me that the AGM battery that I bought was a Group 31 size battery, and not a D4 size battery.
I explained my planned use as a travel trailer battery.
They said it would work very well for my application.

[bdosborn]

Two Deka six volt batteries with 230 amp-hr capacity:



Lots of solar panels:







360 watts worth.



I love electricity and use a lot of it. Last weekend we used 22 amp-hrs on Friday night and 26 amp-hrs on Saturday night. Solar panels had the batteries charged by noon on the following day.


Bruce

[StandUpGuy]

You shameless non-minimalist high volume electricity consumer!

[bdosborn]

You shameless non-minimalist high volume electricity consumer!

But I'm green as I make my own. Right?



Bruce

[StandUpGuy]

You shameless non-minimalist high volume electricity consumer!

But I'm green as I make my own. Right?



Bruce

OK we will let it go this time but just don't be showing off and running your lights past 11:00.

[Shadow Catcher]

I am with Bob. We don't use lots of electricity but we do camp in places where there is a good bit of tree cover. I am in the process of installing our solar panels now but part of the equation was to reduce need through the use of LED's and the computer case fans for ventilation.
Nancy and I read at night and having reading lights was one of the big musts.
We used Coleman lanterns for 30+ years and the Preway stove and quite frankly the silence and lack of smell and having to transport Naptha and lack of hassle is great. But as my grandmother said "every one to their own taste said the lady as she kissed the cow".

[8ball_99]

Two Deka six volt batteries with 230 amp-hr capacity:

Lots of solar panels:

360 watts worth.



I love electricity and use a lot of it. Last weekend we used 22 amp-hrs on Friday night and 26 amp-hrs on Saturday night. Solar panels had the batteries charged by noon on the following day.


Bruce

Not to get to far off topic since I know the OP is looking at solar to. You said your battery was charged by noon. In real world use about how much power does your 360 watts worth of solar put out?. I know how the internet says to calculate it. Just wondering if you have ever measured the real output on a average day?

At some point I'm going to add some kind of solar to my cargo trailer. I just haven't decided if its going to just be a 15 watt panel to keep the battery topped off when not plugged in or If I'm going to try and generate some real power. When boon docking if I could just off set the fantastic fan, radio and a couple of led lights at night it would help. But both the fan and the radio run a lot..

[bdosborn]

Not to get to far off topic since I know the OP is looking at solar to. You said your battery was charged by noon. In real world use about how much power does your 360 watts worth of solar put out?. I know how the internet says to calculate it. Just wondering if you have ever measured the real output on a average day?

The most I've harvested in a day is 70 amp-hrs. That's way more than I've ever drawn from the batteries, I was running the RV fridge (11 amps) off the roof panels while traveling. I could probably harvest more but the controller shuts down production when the battery is charged or I switch the fridge to propane. 140 watts of my system is portable panels so I rarely have both portable panels out, only when we're in the shade and the roof panels aren't producing.

The 60 watt folding panel is my favorite as its a handy size for storage and positioning. I would bet I could get 20 amp-hrs from it alone. That's more than you would expect and its because I move it during the day to follow the sun. Tracking can add as much as 40% production over a stationary flat panel.

Bruce

[8ball_99]

My use would be a little different. My trailer is a Cargo trailer. So the panels would be roof mount which I have more roof then I need or could afford to cover lol. But there wouldn't be any moving panels around ect. We leave the trailer most of the day to hit the trails. So there would be no one there to baby sit the panels. Seems like if we are dry camping we are in the open most of the time. During the heat of the summer we tend to get an RV site so we can run the AC. Its just nice to have a place to cool down after being out riding all day. My heat is a gas furnace with a 12v fan though. So during fall spring and winter we can dry camp pretty easily since the AC is the only real reason for getting a RV spot.

Most of the OHV places we go we pay anywhere from 30 to 45 bucks a night for an RV spot.. Vs 15 to free for no hook ups.. So spending a little bit to make the trailer more dry camping friendly makes since. I wish my fridge did not pull so much power on 12v.. I'd love to have enough juice to keep the fridge running at the house on 12v with out the trailer being plugged in.. But mine like yours uses about 10 amps.. Which is just to much power for a practical solar setup.