Stupid battery and solar questions
I figure I am going to have a lot of them, so I better put all in one thread :B. My situation: - I mainly want solar for running residential freezer and fridge, maybe also for charging my shave ...
Forum Discussion
I don't know the exact charge schedule of your new-to-you batteries. The mfg would be willing to tell you that specification. I do know that AGM's like a fast, higher current charge. You can't get a good charge with a 30 amp charger that only gets to 13.* V. I'd suggest to contact Progressive Dynamics and ask them what charger they recommend. I'd then go shopping for that charger. Off hand, I'm thinking one of their 65-80 amp models is where you will end up.
FWIW, the converter in my trailer is a PD-808. It is 45 years old and works like a swiss watch. I can't recommend any other brand but there are other good ones.
Those batteries that you bought seem very good, just judging by the weight. Since it's 400 lbs (roughly) of batteries, I'd suggest that you have them in a wooden box, mounted amidships in your van. The box should be secured to the floor with good fasteners so that, in the event of an accident, they can't come loose. Just one loose 93 lb battery going from 60 -> 0, suddenly, will have enough kinetic energy to blast out a front seat and probably through the firewall or windshield.
Mythbusters did a test with objects inside a car and stopping the car suddenly. A 15 lb bowling ball snapped the passenger seat top of, went through the windshield, and broke through a 3/4" plywood barrier. Very impressive.
FWIW, the converter in my trailer is a PD-808. It is 45 years old and works like a swiss watch. I can't recommend any other brand but there are other good ones.
Those batteries that you bought seem very good, just judging by the weight. Since it's 400 lbs (roughly) of batteries, I'd suggest that you have them in a wooden box, mounted amidships in your van. The box should be secured to the floor with good fasteners so that, in the event of an accident, they can't come loose. Just one loose 93 lb battery going from 60 -> 0, suddenly, will have enough kinetic energy to blast out a front seat and probably through the firewall or windshield.
Mythbusters did a test with objects inside a car and stopping the car suddenly. A 15 lb bowling ball snapped the passenger seat top of, went through the windshield, and broke through a 3/4" plywood barrier. Very impressive.
