Batteries

otrfun wrote:
A standard automotive battery spends quite a bit of time being subjected to massive load spikes by the starter motor. Deep discharge batteries typically have it a lot easier.

It does.. hundreds of amps, many times per day. Deep cycles are pretty much loafing.

JimBollman wrote:
I have never had an deep discharge battery fail catastrophically but I have had 4 starter batteries short cells or suddenly open cell over roughly 40 years.

This makes sense. A standard automotive battery spends quite a bit of time being subjected to massive load spikes by the starter motor. Deep discharge batteries typically have it a lot easier.

My take on which batteries, are the ones that make you feel you made the right choice and electrify your camping experience. I'm on my third set of wet cells (replaced last summer) that the previous averaged going 6-7 years. That's good enough since I've had my NL since september of 2003.

I like wet cells since they give me the opportunity to replace them more often. lol.

My 1191 will fit 2 group 27s the tray is 1/2in short for a 29 and not tall enough for 2 6v which most people use were we dry camp in the winter.I could remove the tray and fit 2 29s or 31s in there but it might be a problem checking the water.

Gjac, what do you mean by equalize ?

My campers battery compartment would not fit two group 27 batteries (like 1/4" short), and two group 24's have a low amp hour capability, so I went with two 6 volt batteries that just fit height wise and had room to spare sideways. 95% of my camping is remote Alaska dry camping so I needed battery AH capacity to last long enough for long weekends. Dual 6 volts give superior amp hour capacity and allow me to go up to a week dry camping. I've never had to add water in over 5 seasons of use either, they are great.

I have never had an deep discharge battery fail catastrophically but I have had 4 starter batteries short cells or suddenly open cell over roughly 40 years.

jimh425 wrote:
Show weakness means what? The fact remains if one 6V fails, you have less than 12V.

Weakness is indicated by a decrease of capacity.. such as your batteries dropping in voltage much quicker than they used to for the same load. Most boondockers replace them at this point, say around 4 years, rather than wait until one almost certainly "fails" and the other one isn't far behind.

The chances of a sudden, unexpected catastrophic failure of any battery is extremely rare. That's why golf carts have relied on 6-6v batteries in series for years.

Show weakness means what? The fact remains if one 6V fails, you have less than 12V.