6v GC batteries vs cheap 12v sorta deep cycle
The more I learn, the less I know. :) Or, a little bit of knowledge is dangerous. So I am wondering if GC batteries are truly better than cheap "Marine/Deep Cycle" Group 27's or 31's for everyo...
Forum Discussion
Are GC better????
Well, like so many things depends on what YOUR needs are. For some applications yes, for others maybe, and for some IMHO they are NOT better.
Nice thing about GC batteries is that with the huge number of golfers, there is a high demand for GC batteries, which keeps prices down, availability up. BTW they are used in more than golf carts, also floor machines etc. And the technology and construction is very similar if not idenical to L-16 and other 6V deep discharge batteries used in fork lifts etc. Decades of development to optimize the typical use, which happens IMHO to be pretty similar to SOME RV'rs use and needs.
And they match up quite well with many of the needs/requirements of us "dry campers".
That said, IMHO they aren't necessariy the "best" choice for everyone. if you seldom dry camp, or do so only for a night or so before getting to power, or have high draw inverters, then 12V battery(s) could well be a better fit for your use. For those who seldom dry camp, camp only a few days/weeks/year a decent 12V may be more cost effective in the long run.
If high draw stuff is your primary need (microwaves etc.) with 75+ amps, then again, GC may not be a good choice. to much voltage drop. Likely would be more satisfied with a true 12V deep discharge setup.
My experience is that GC shine with lower draws (<50A, or even 25A) and when you really want the most "useable" AH and decent cycle life and needs are more than a few weeks/year. Hundreds of cycles even when going down to 20-30% SOC.
A 240AH 12V bank dischaged to 50% (the usual recomened minimum for 12V) yields 120 "useable" AH.
the same 240 AH pair of GC discharged to 30% SOC (20% is the recomended minimum from trojan, and even then cycle life is about 200 cycles to 50% of Initial capacity, about the same as trojan 12V true deep discharge batteries discharge to 50%) is 170AH, That "extra" 50A can mean a LOT when you need it. And occasionally going to 20% SOC is pushing 200 "useable" AH
GC happen to fit our bill pretty well. Dry camp probably 60 days/year, other than occasionaly draws of 80A for a few minutes with the microwave our draw is moderate. But we camp in the spring/fall and often want to use the furnace in the morning as well, and I want to go 5+ days between charging if I can with only some moderate solar for the times the sun shines.
so far I get over 8 years from a pair of GC even with regular pretty deep discharges. Just keep them watered AND periodically taken to a FULL 100% charge.
Well, like so many things depends on what YOUR needs are. For some applications yes, for others maybe, and for some IMHO they are NOT better.
Nice thing about GC batteries is that with the huge number of golfers, there is a high demand for GC batteries, which keeps prices down, availability up. BTW they are used in more than golf carts, also floor machines etc. And the technology and construction is very similar if not idenical to L-16 and other 6V deep discharge batteries used in fork lifts etc. Decades of development to optimize the typical use, which happens IMHO to be pretty similar to SOME RV'rs use and needs.
And they match up quite well with many of the needs/requirements of us "dry campers".
That said, IMHO they aren't necessariy the "best" choice for everyone. if you seldom dry camp, or do so only for a night or so before getting to power, or have high draw inverters, then 12V battery(s) could well be a better fit for your use. For those who seldom dry camp, camp only a few days/weeks/year a decent 12V may be more cost effective in the long run.
If high draw stuff is your primary need (microwaves etc.) with 75+ amps, then again, GC may not be a good choice. to much voltage drop. Likely would be more satisfied with a true 12V deep discharge setup.
My experience is that GC shine with lower draws (<50A, or even 25A) and when you really want the most "useable" AH and decent cycle life and needs are more than a few weeks/year. Hundreds of cycles even when going down to 20-30% SOC.
A 240AH 12V bank dischaged to 50% (the usual recomened minimum for 12V) yields 120 "useable" AH.
the same 240 AH pair of GC discharged to 30% SOC (20% is the recomended minimum from trojan, and even then cycle life is about 200 cycles to 50% of Initial capacity, about the same as trojan 12V true deep discharge batteries discharge to 50%) is 170AH, That "extra" 50A can mean a LOT when you need it. And occasionally going to 20% SOC is pushing 200 "useable" AH
GC happen to fit our bill pretty well. Dry camp probably 60 days/year, other than occasionaly draws of 80A for a few minutes with the microwave our draw is moderate. But we camp in the spring/fall and often want to use the furnace in the morning as well, and I want to go 5+ days between charging if I can with only some moderate solar for the times the sun shines.
so far I get over 8 years from a pair of GC even with regular pretty deep discharges. Just keep them watered AND periodically taken to a FULL 100% charge.
