12 volt batteries
Is there any problem mixing 2 different brands of batteries
Forum Discussion
It is all about the actual scenario. In my real life scenario there is no problem, because I allow for the mixed set. I can and often have gone four weeks or so on a mixed set of batteries for the last eight years.
There is
A. while camping to get by, and there is
B. at home to get ready for the next camping trip.
While camping, strap what ever collection of batteries together to get the most AH in your bank, and have fun camping. Then at home, separate the various batteries to charge them up according to their various specs to get then truly "full" and desulphated as best you can.
You can now float them as a bunch or separately if they have different floating specs until it is time to head out again.
EG, I have a pair of 6v Exide 135s rated at 226AH but more like 200 last test for that, in parallel with two beat up (ex-golf car) T-1275s in parallel, so the two big 12s are in parallel as one 12. The 150 rated 12s are now about 118 each last test, so total bank is about 436AH let's say.
Going great for camping up to four or so weeks in a row-just did that- (have solar plus a gen if it clags in). Get only 0.6 voltage drop with the microwave on, plus the furnace on ( morning instant coffee water in kettle, plus a furnace hit to take the chill off at 0 dark 30, and a light so I can see)
I just don't understand all these posts about explosions and personal doom if you mix your battery bank. All you need to do is whenever you do get some shore power, is bring each battery up to speed separately to meet its own specs, before banking them all again for more for camping fun time.
To do that, you do need battery chargers that can do the various battery specs' charging profiles--IE, an adjustable voltage charger or two. Your one and only RV converter is probably not going to cut the mustard. However there are lots of other chargers that can.
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There is
A. while camping to get by, and there is
B. at home to get ready for the next camping trip.
While camping, strap what ever collection of batteries together to get the most AH in your bank, and have fun camping. Then at home, separate the various batteries to charge them up according to their various specs to get then truly "full" and desulphated as best you can.
You can now float them as a bunch or separately if they have different floating specs until it is time to head out again.
EG, I have a pair of 6v Exide 135s rated at 226AH but more like 200 last test for that, in parallel with two beat up (ex-golf car) T-1275s in parallel, so the two big 12s are in parallel as one 12. The 150 rated 12s are now about 118 each last test, so total bank is about 436AH let's say.
Going great for camping up to four or so weeks in a row-just did that- (have solar plus a gen if it clags in). Get only 0.6 voltage drop with the microwave on, plus the furnace on ( morning instant coffee water in kettle, plus a furnace hit to take the chill off at 0 dark 30, and a light so I can see)
I just don't understand all these posts about explosions and personal doom if you mix your battery bank. All you need to do is whenever you do get some shore power, is bring each battery up to speed separately to meet its own specs, before banking them all again for more for camping fun time.
To do that, you do need battery chargers that can do the various battery specs' charging profiles--IE, an adjustable voltage charger or two. Your one and only RV converter is probably not going to cut the mustard. However there are lots of other chargers that can.
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