Forum Discussion
ktmrfs
Oct 04, 2018Explorer II
while talking advantages, 6V do have at least one disadvantage. the fewer number but thicker plates don't do well if you have high current draw, like an inverter for a microwave. Voltage drop can be a problem with the inverter. As long as the draw is in the 30-50A range/bank your ok, but I and others have found that a single GC2 bank needs around 80% SOC for a 800-1000VA load. 12V on the other hand do much better under these conditions.
But when looking at "useable" capacity for reasonable draw 6V wins hands down. Even trojan 12V deep discharge are spec'd for at most a 50% DOD. But the T-125 series trojans show a 500+ cycle life discharged to 75% !!!
So a 250AH 12V bank has around 125 "useable" AH, while a pair of 6V GC-2's has about 175 "useable" AH. My first set of Trojans saw this 75% ish DOD 30+ times/year along with many other discharges to 50% or less and were still lasted me over 10 years.
But when looking at "useable" capacity for reasonable draw 6V wins hands down. Even trojan 12V deep discharge are spec'd for at most a 50% DOD. But the T-125 series trojans show a 500+ cycle life discharged to 75% !!!
So a 250AH 12V bank has around 125 "useable" AH, while a pair of 6V GC-2's has about 175 "useable" AH. My first set of Trojans saw this 75% ish DOD 30+ times/year along with many other discharges to 50% or less and were still lasted me over 10 years.
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