Expectations for 6 volt batteries
We replaced our two 12V group 24's with two 6 volt golf cart batteries - 220 amp hours. We also have 270 watts of solar, a Trimetric monitor and a Progressive Dynamic 9100 converter with a Charge Wiza...
Forum Discussion
Why am I not getting the run time from my batteries?
Graph of battery capacity when new and over life of battery.
"The warm-up characteristic of a good battery
In order to get the longest cycle life from the battery it is advisable not to convert all of the lead chemicals in the active material to lead dioxide and lead during the final charging step in the manufacturing process. This process is known as formation in the industry. The formed plates should contain about 85% of lead dioxide and lead and 15% lead sulfate. The reason for this is twofold: it reduces mechanical stress on the active materials caused by volume changes as described earlier, and it also provides a buffer of lead sulfate against the damaging effects of overcharging. This residual lead sulfate is gradually converted to lead dioxide during cycling which prevents active material degradation and grid corrosion. This is why the best deep-cycle batteries have a characteristic warm-up period early in their life. It can take as many 100+ cycles to fully charge this lead sulfate buffer before the battery develops its full capacity. The Battery Council International (BCI) has recognized this in their specification BCIS-05 for deep-cycle batteries as shown in the figure below."
"Battery ratings
The nameplate rating on a battery is the fully developed capacity. Therefore, testing a battery immediately after it is purchased will be misleading since it may take up to 100+ cycles for a battery to reach its full capacity. You should beware of a battery that has its full capacity at the time of purchase or one that reaches its full capacity after a few cycles. The batteries with 100+ cycle warm-up will always outlast a battery with a high initial capacity."
Trojan web page
Graph of battery capacity when new and over life of battery.
"The warm-up characteristic of a good battery
In order to get the longest cycle life from the battery it is advisable not to convert all of the lead chemicals in the active material to lead dioxide and lead during the final charging step in the manufacturing process. This process is known as formation in the industry. The formed plates should contain about 85% of lead dioxide and lead and 15% lead sulfate. The reason for this is twofold: it reduces mechanical stress on the active materials caused by volume changes as described earlier, and it also provides a buffer of lead sulfate against the damaging effects of overcharging. This residual lead sulfate is gradually converted to lead dioxide during cycling which prevents active material degradation and grid corrosion. This is why the best deep-cycle batteries have a characteristic warm-up period early in their life. It can take as many 100+ cycles to fully charge this lead sulfate buffer before the battery develops its full capacity. The Battery Council International (BCI) has recognized this in their specification BCIS-05 for deep-cycle batteries as shown in the figure below."
"Battery ratings
The nameplate rating on a battery is the fully developed capacity. Therefore, testing a battery immediately after it is purchased will be misleading since it may take up to 100+ cycles for a battery to reach its full capacity. You should beware of a battery that has its full capacity at the time of purchase or one that reaches its full capacity after a few cycles. The batteries with 100+ cycle warm-up will always outlast a battery with a high initial capacity."
Trojan web page
