Capacity Testing and 20 HR Rating
I'm thinking about doing a capacity test on my four GC2's. They have a 20hr rating of 215Ah. One thing I'm curious about is how the 20hr rating would have been determined. Being 6v, would they h...
Forum Discussion
Now, now, let's play nice, boys. :)
For me it's a matter of better understanding the characteristics; or idiosyncrasies, if you will; of various 6v/12v batteries. Even Amp Hour ratings must be taken in their proper context. Yes, we need some sort of standard, for comparison purposes, thus the 20hr rating, but a steady 5% load for 20hrs is a rather unlikely scenario in the real world. And even Mex's idea of a steady 10a load would still not take into consideration the effects of heavy loads (like a microwave or a/c unit) for relatively short bursts.
It may be interesting to note the short and long term effects of various size loads on a particular battery type, both when fairly new and after many cycles. And I imagine working in Kwh's could be rather useful in determining a battery's ability to cope with various duty cycles. It's really no different than comparing a starter battery to a 6v GC, I would think. Each has it's own ability to (better) handle different loads for different durations.
I'd like to see a side by side comparison between a Trojan T-105 and a so-called deep cycle marine battery, for instance. I think that would help put things in a much better perspective, as opposed to folks simply claiming their batteries lasted this or that many years, doing who knows what??? floating? cycling? hanging out at the marina?
For me it's a matter of better understanding the characteristics; or idiosyncrasies, if you will; of various 6v/12v batteries. Even Amp Hour ratings must be taken in their proper context. Yes, we need some sort of standard, for comparison purposes, thus the 20hr rating, but a steady 5% load for 20hrs is a rather unlikely scenario in the real world. And even Mex's idea of a steady 10a load would still not take into consideration the effects of heavy loads (like a microwave or a/c unit) for relatively short bursts.
It may be interesting to note the short and long term effects of various size loads on a particular battery type, both when fairly new and after many cycles. And I imagine working in Kwh's could be rather useful in determining a battery's ability to cope with various duty cycles. It's really no different than comparing a starter battery to a 6v GC, I would think. Each has it's own ability to (better) handle different loads for different durations.
I'd like to see a side by side comparison between a Trojan T-105 and a so-called deep cycle marine battery, for instance. I think that would help put things in a much better perspective, as opposed to folks simply claiming their batteries lasted this or that many years, doing who knows what??? floating? cycling? hanging out at the marina?
