Hi,
I can tell you that my pair of T-105 batteries are good for 150 amp for 5 minutes to run the toaster. The actual T-105 means each battery can put out 75 amps for 105 minutes.
You can also buy a T-145 with 145 minutes at 75 amps. I would not recommend a L16 in a RV. They are just to heavy! I would rather carry a 67 pound T-105 than a 120 pound L16.
The T-105 and T-125 are the same size, but the T-125 is about 10 more pounds of lead in it. The T-145 is about 2" taller and about 80 pounds each.
The maximum amp hours are done in a lab while discharging the battery slowly, and with a resistance load, starting at 13.5 volts and going down to only 10.7 volts. So the rating of 10 amps per hour or 18 amps per hour are to get the most amp hours out of the battery in a lab.
To get the best bang for your buck, then a pair of golf cart batteries will give you about 220 amp hours at 12 volts. Two pairs is 440 AH, and only about 280 pounds. They come in easy to lift 67 pound packages. Try lifting a pair of L16's and I will call you sir! They are about 100 - 120 pounds each.
I was considering changing to T-125's, as they fit in the same location, with no change in battery size. Or I can use T-145 without any problems because I have about 6" above all of my batteries, plenty of room to check the water. I changed from T-105 to T-145 in a work golf cart. It provided a LOT more power than the worn out set of batteries.
If it is a home system, then I will go with L-16's and have someone strong install them. I will probably use two strings of L-16's and have about 740 AH of power at 48 volts. This will run my Outback 8,000 watt grid intertied inverter for hours providing power to my emergency loads. Then when the sun comes back up, the 6,000 watt solar system will keep the battery bank full, even if I don't have grid power. With grid power, the inverter can sell back to the grid.
48 volts at 220 amp hours is about 10,000 watts. Plenty to run a RV. But who has a 48 volt alternator? That is why most RV systems are either 12 VDC or 24 VDC. Yes you can buy a 24 VDC alternator for most diesel engines. However you will also need the 12 volt one for running the other stuff. Some engines can run two alternators at the same time.
Fred.
