?? 6 or 12 VOLT BATTERY ??

HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
Should I go with 6 volt or 12 volt batteries? Either way I will be converting battery power to AC power via an inverter. Which voltage is better?

Wrong question
Proper question
Should I go with one piece or two piece 12volt batteries (6+6=12 don't you know)

GC-2 Six volt is the most poplar lead acid battery made.. This means that the per unit cost is lower than other lead acid batteries..Why is this..Well the GC stands for Golf Car (not cart as most say) and Golf Courses buy them by the pallet load every spring.

They are also a true DEEP CYCLE designed to be run down to half full before re-charge.

Most 12 volt (one piece) designs in the Group 24-27-29-31 range are MARINE/deep cycle. These are starting batteries.. They need to be kept closer to 75% full.

The result is that the Six Volt GC-2 when paired with an identical battery in series gives you 210-230 amp hours at 12 volt of which you can use 105 to 115.. In rounded figures that is a Kilowatt-hour of power.

To get that much power out of MARINE/deep cycle 12 volts you would need like 3 Gorup 31s

The 6 Volt GC-2 is thus the best BANG for your Buck.

now.. their downside.. Flooded wet cells need checking and occasional cleaning and watering... (Mine are about a year old and not yet thirsty) (The old ones went 9 years and toward the end were often thirsty).

IF access is a problem,, Then a Maintenance free design may be better..And the DEEP CYCLE Maintenance free's in reasonalbe sizes tend to be AGM's which are among the MOST expensive batteries.