Battery vs genny questions
Hey all you electrically smarter than me people ... I need some battery help please. 9 days of dry camping. I'm bringing my genny but we're in a State Park, in the middle of 10 families with tents,...
Forum Discussion
Congratulations on starting off thinking effectively. I did a lot of boat work before the depression and I can tell you that very few people look into their energy requirements as carefully as you have.
In you case, the only battery number that matters is RC (Reserve Charge). This is the number of minutes that the battery can deliver 25amps until it reaches 10.5V (where most cars will never start).
The 100 tells you that the batteries absolute capacity is about 40 Amp-Hours (25A*100m/60m/hr) at headlight load. I suspect the at you loads it will be closer to 60AHs, but going to 10.5V will permanently damage the battery. Best to stop a 12.0. That gives you about 30AH to work with.
By your own calculation you will be very close to using that every day. But, the less the battery is depleted, the more readily it can be recovered.
Problem:
Charging lead/acid batteries takes time. That cannot gotten around. It turnout out that you can recharge to 90% relatively fast, but that last 10% can take hours. Just because you WFCO can put it out does not mean that the battery will accept it.
Without expensive instrumentation, the best you can do is get a good digital meter that you can use to track the battery voltage. I am certain that the best you will could do would be to plan running your generator for about four hours a day (give or take) divided into morning and evening as best fits your schedule. I suggest that you start as early in the morning as your group will allow and as late in the evening - the same. You can adjust this as you learn.
If you pack a long extension cord so you can move the generator away from all the campers, everybody will appreciate that.
Most people are not very good at managing without the grid for long periods. So, be ready to make a few friends of those that need iPhads charged. Maybe you should pack a plug strip just for them.
Matt
In you case, the only battery number that matters is RC (Reserve Charge). This is the number of minutes that the battery can deliver 25amps until it reaches 10.5V (where most cars will never start).
The 100 tells you that the batteries absolute capacity is about 40 Amp-Hours (25A*100m/60m/hr) at headlight load. I suspect the at you loads it will be closer to 60AHs, but going to 10.5V will permanently damage the battery. Best to stop a 12.0. That gives you about 30AH to work with.
By your own calculation you will be very close to using that every day. But, the less the battery is depleted, the more readily it can be recovered.
Problem:
Charging lead/acid batteries takes time. That cannot gotten around. It turnout out that you can recharge to 90% relatively fast, but that last 10% can take hours. Just because you WFCO can put it out does not mean that the battery will accept it.
Without expensive instrumentation, the best you can do is get a good digital meter that you can use to track the battery voltage. I am certain that the best you will could do would be to plan running your generator for about four hours a day (give or take) divided into morning and evening as best fits your schedule. I suggest that you start as early in the morning as your group will allow and as late in the evening - the same. You can adjust this as you learn.
If you pack a long extension cord so you can move the generator away from all the campers, everybody will appreciate that.
Most people are not very good at managing without the grid for long periods. So, be ready to make a few friends of those that need iPhads charged. Maybe you should pack a plug strip just for them.
Matt
