Another battery question
So many threads here about batteries and charging, I can't believe I'm starting another! Well, I've learned a ton, and actually if I was starting from scratch I know pretty much what I'd do to create ...
Forum Discussion
Run the 2 group 24's
Buy a Blue Seas or equivalent battery disconnect switch. It will prevent killing the battery when stored. You can also wire it in so you can read either battery or both at the same time. Run the batteries together yet be able to switch to them separately to see what voltage they are at. Not totally necessary but something to have. Later if you go to four 6 volts you can bank them also.
Upgrade the converter to something like the PD 4655 that lets you get 14.4 volt charging. If your wfco is at 13.6 volts your generator run time will be days, not hours.
Get LED bulbs. I was in a hurry and bought expensive ones. My son just bought 20 cheap ones on ebay for $40.00 It will be awhile before we know how they hold up.
Get a digital volt meter. Others have suggestions but I had good luck with a rio rand on amazon. Look around as you may find a better one. It was $8.00 In my experience the small ones on ebay $3.00 where off by almost tenth of a volt. Find one that is accurate. Calibrate it at your batteries. You want to know what the batteries are even if the meter is 15 or 20 feet away.
Depending on the distance from your converter to your batteries, upgrade the cable from number 6 to number 4. You can check the lug on the converter but it's probably number 4. When you install the converter be sure the lugs are tight, after awhile recheck them as they will heat up.
Be sure that the cables running between your batteries and ground are all large cable too.
Be sure of the connection between the converter and ground.
Be sure the battery wiring is balanced.
Get a hydrometer. It doesn't have to be $50.00 but dont get the one with little balls in it. At least get the one with a swinging arm in it. You need to know if SG is in the red or green zone.
Keep your generator noise as low as possible. A few pieces of foam board insulation strategically placed will help without hurting air flow. If you hit it with 14 plus volts you will be able to keep the gen time down and the neighbors happy. Not to open up an argument but just because we CAN run during certain hours, TO ME doesn't mean I should run during ALL those hours. Not harping or preaching to you, just trying to help.
Pay attention and learn the characteristics of your batteries. You may get the SG all the way back up between trips but if you start using it more you may notice that after a dozen or so cycles they start to get lazy and you will need to charge at 15.2 or 15.3 volts to drive them all the way up. Sometimes it can be accomplished with a cheap portable charger. MONITOR closely when doing it. With longer times at home this may not be as much of an issue for you. The big help will be in having 14 plus volts hitting them instead of 13 plus.
Buy a Blue Seas or equivalent battery disconnect switch. It will prevent killing the battery when stored. You can also wire it in so you can read either battery or both at the same time. Run the batteries together yet be able to switch to them separately to see what voltage they are at. Not totally necessary but something to have. Later if you go to four 6 volts you can bank them also.
Upgrade the converter to something like the PD 4655 that lets you get 14.4 volt charging. If your wfco is at 13.6 volts your generator run time will be days, not hours.
Get LED bulbs. I was in a hurry and bought expensive ones. My son just bought 20 cheap ones on ebay for $40.00 It will be awhile before we know how they hold up.
Get a digital volt meter. Others have suggestions but I had good luck with a rio rand on amazon. Look around as you may find a better one. It was $8.00 In my experience the small ones on ebay $3.00 where off by almost tenth of a volt. Find one that is accurate. Calibrate it at your batteries. You want to know what the batteries are even if the meter is 15 or 20 feet away.
Depending on the distance from your converter to your batteries, upgrade the cable from number 6 to number 4. You can check the lug on the converter but it's probably number 4. When you install the converter be sure the lugs are tight, after awhile recheck them as they will heat up.
Be sure that the cables running between your batteries and ground are all large cable too.
Be sure of the connection between the converter and ground.
Be sure the battery wiring is balanced.
Get a hydrometer. It doesn't have to be $50.00 but dont get the one with little balls in it. At least get the one with a swinging arm in it. You need to know if SG is in the red or green zone.
Keep your generator noise as low as possible. A few pieces of foam board insulation strategically placed will help without hurting air flow. If you hit it with 14 plus volts you will be able to keep the gen time down and the neighbors happy. Not to open up an argument but just because we CAN run during certain hours, TO ME doesn't mean I should run during ALL those hours. Not harping or preaching to you, just trying to help.
Pay attention and learn the characteristics of your batteries. You may get the SG all the way back up between trips but if you start using it more you may notice that after a dozen or so cycles they start to get lazy and you will need to charge at 15.2 or 15.3 volts to drive them all the way up. Sometimes it can be accomplished with a cheap portable charger. MONITOR closely when doing it. With longer times at home this may not be as much of an issue for you. The big help will be in having 14 plus volts hitting them instead of 13 plus.
