On line source for Lifeline batteries?

[S_Davis]

Anyone purchased lifeline batteries on line? Looking for a reliable source.

Thanks

[MEXICOWANDERER]

A good brand of AGM is more resistant to the cold weather blues than a flooded battery.

Flooded batteries typically use 1.275 gravity acid -- AGM uses 1.300 which I used for Arctic blend flooded batteries. A hundred ampere draw off an 8'D at 30F should reduce voltage to around 12.1 from 100% charged 12.8

Double the batteries to (2) and you will see even higher voltage at work.

Four batteries will deliver 2 Kw for a half hour without breathing hard. Peukert is of course at work but when the load is reduced voltage will rise again.

Washington State was home base for Trace which means the grand uncle to Outback. Call Outback and see whom they recommend in your area.

[S_Davis]

That is what I am shooting for, I am a contractor and work at some remote sites. It will be nice to have a small microwave and fridge on my work truck. Speaking of cold temperatures would it be a good idea to add some heat mats for the batteries, I will be using the system all winter regular 30 degrees and down to the teens.

I got ahold of Powerstride Batteries and they have the 8Ds for $699.00 plus free shipping and they drop ship direct from Concorde so they should be fresh batteries, I am getting them ordered. Now I need to find a good place to buy the Outback inverter.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

S Davis. Your's sounds like an ideal system. For year-round use. I would tend to get grumpy if my system's batteries limited system usability because of temperature (lithium). Down here a fifteen Kw solar array field inside a cyclone and razor wire fence and 30 Kw lithium battery -- outback system would be ideal (sigh)

[MEXICOWANDERER]

A tip

Start one charger then after 15 seconds start the second. This will ease the inrush and help the AC breaker ease into the load 🙂

[S_Davis]

I can run a line to my parking area with a 30 amp outlet.

[BFL13]

S Davis wrote:
I think at this point I will go with two 8Ds, that way I can achieve the magic 20% charging with the Outbacks 125amp charger. The Outback inverters can be stacked so in the future if I need more power I will add another inverter and two more 8Ds.

Just be sure that your shore power can deliver the input to run the 125 amps, or else half that, so you can do one 8D at a time, if not both.

I can't run my 75 amper at home at 75 amps on the long extension cord to a 15a receptacle. It hangs in there at about 65 amps due to low voltage input. Some folks do a special RV "outlet" at home, so it can do what's needed.

[S_Davis]

I think at this point I will go with two 8Ds, that way I can achieve the magic 20% charging with the Outbacks 125amp charger. The Outback inverters can be stacked so in the future if I need more power I will add another inverter and two more 8Ds.

[BFL13]

I don't understand Mex's last. Four 4Ds at 200AH each is 800AH and two 8Ds at 250 each is 500. What are we supposed to be comparing here?

I also don't understand exactly about doing 50-80s with the different size batteries. When banked it is all one battery, so whatever combo of battery sizes in the bank, a 50-80 is the same number of AHs for the same total AH in the bank. What difference does it make if the bank is made up of 8Ds or 27s if it is all the same total AHs?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The 500 amp hour selection has an unbeatable amount of amp hours. And no two ways around it in a four hour period mindful of partial charging restrictions over a perhaps a month 4 4Ds will charge a lot more amp hours in a given four hour period.
That is a great way to neuter restricted generator hours camping. It can easily exceed 100 extra emp hours. Four hours of bulk charging instead of maybe 2-1/2 hours. Then twice as long without charging via the generator.

When rain is horizontal and the wind is 100+ MPH. I give thanks I do not have to do the 100-meter death march to the gen shed. Jesus' fish and seafood stay frozen rock hard I have lights and fans. Bathing is simple, slide out onto the patio, soap up then step out into the maelstrom, revolve once and then keep hanging onto the rail while inching back inside.

[BFL13]

S Davis wrote:
If I split it into four batteries it would be an additional $250.00 to $300.00 not to mention the cost of the extra wire and connectors to get 500ah. Is it worth the extra cost?

Two 100AH AGMs can run my 2000w inverter to run the microwave for the usual short tasks. Having four would be better for how long you could do that before a battery recharge is necessary, same as with Flooded batts. No advantage whether using 8D, 4D, it is the total AH that count in the bank.

Not clear what you are comparing. I don't know if what I have would suit your camping style etc, but looking here helps with the cost comparisons:

http://www.bestconverter.com/Universal-AGM-Batteries_c_127.html

I have two of the 12100 100AH same as these but a different brand, same factory same specs. "Low end AGMs", perhaps, but works for me! I got my 8D second hand, but they cost a lot new.

If you got four of these 100s it is the same price at $800 as two of the 4Ds for 400AH. So $2/AH The 8D is $475 for 250 so $1.90/AH but you have to get 500AH at $950.

Do you care if you have 400 or 500AH? Is the 4D tougher than an 8D?
Can you hump a 150 lb battery around? I had to get help. Easy with the 27s. Lots to consider, but each person has his own scenario what works best for him.

[S_Davis]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
You nailed it 🙂

8-D batteries are indeed pickier than other jars. Tall jars are the least picky. Picky means per amp hour their CCA may be more but time to recharge may be a bit longer .It isn't enough to dissuade choice of BCI models.

Here is an AGM tip. If you can source a precision ammeter, float maintenance whole and fractions of an amp readings can offer valuable clues as to the condition of the battery. But measurements must be taken at the same ambient temperature. Same for a 12.234 digital voltmeter.

So it sounds like the 8Ds would be better for a large inverter.

[S_Davis]

If I split it into four batteries it would be an additional $250.00 to $300.00 not to mention the cost of the extra wire and connectors to get 500ah. Is it worth the extra cost?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

You nailed it 🙂

8-D batteries are indeed pickier than other jars. Tall jars are the least picky. Picky means per amp hour their CCA may be more but time to recharge may be a bit longer. It isn't enough to dissuade choice of BCI models.

Here is an AGM tip. If you can source a precision ammeter, float maintenance whole and fractions of an amp readings can offer valuable clues as to the condition of the battery. But measurements must be taken at the same ambient temperature. Same for a 12.234 digital voltmeter.

[BFL13]

No idea what the 4D or 8D reason is, but FWIW, I have found my 100AH 27 AGMs (deep cycle type) to be tougher for RV use where I am hard on batteries doing 50-80s etc. The big 8D seems more delicate somehow, now it has been a year with it. I keep close tabs on them and have been getting a good feel for how they act.

I am not sure just how much the 8D is really for "cycle use" as opposed to "standby use" in real life, although it has specs for both jobs. The 27s have specs for both uses too, but seem to do better at deep cycling and "keep on ticking".

IMO, where there is a choice, I would just get more 100ah 27s and not a couple of the really big AGMs because of this. (But none of my AGMs is a Lifeline, which is supposed to be a tougher built battery than others that are not mil-spec)