6 or 12volt

T

Thigh19

New member
Aug 4, 2019
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I've been looking at my house battery and think I'm due an upgrade. I've been reading that some are opting for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries vs 12 volt
deep cycle. Is there an advantage to one or the other.
Also, don't want to spend $1000 on a new battery, what are economical battery choices.
Thanx in advance
Thom
 
Costco has 6v golf cart batteries for about $100 each. Combined they offer greater capacity than most over the counter 12v batteries.

Larry Davick
1976 Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca

>
> I've been looking at my house battery and think I'm due an upgrade. I've been reading that some are opting for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries vs 12 volt
> deep cycle. Is there an advantage to one or the other.
> Also, don't want to spend $1000 on a new battery, what are economical battery choices.
> Thanx in advance
> Thom
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I use 6v golf car batteries. 225 amp/hr.

Either way you need a “deep cycle” design.

You’ll also want to respect the manufacturers bottom voltage number to keep from damaging the batteries in deep discharge.

Dolph Santorine

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

>
> I've been looking at my house battery and think I'm due an upgrade. I've been reading that some are opting for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries vs 12 volt
> deep cycle. Is there an advantage to one or the other.
> Also, don't want to spend $1000 on a new battery, what are economical battery choices.
> Thanx in advance
> Thom
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
This is a fairly decent article.

https://www.powerstridebattery.com/blog/how-to-maintain-deep-cycle-batteries/

Dolph Santorine

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

>
> I've been looking at my house battery and think I'm due an upgrade. I've been reading that some are opting for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries vs 12 volt
> deep cycle. Is there an advantage to one or the other.
> Also, don't want to spend $1000 on a new battery, what are economical battery choices.
> Thanx in advance
> Thom
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> I've been looking at my house battery and think I'm due an upgrade. I've been reading that some are opting for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries vs 12
> volt deep cycle. Is there an advantage to one or the other.
> Also, don't want to spend $1000 on a new battery, what are economical battery choices.
> Thanx in advance
> Thom

To get the capacity of two 6 volt "Golf Cart" batteries in a 12 volt battery would require a battery that is way to heavy to handle. To get the
capacity of the two 6's at a reasonable weight would require two 12v batteries in parallel. Their is often a question on the wisdom of parallel
batteries. This can start a discussion that resembles the oil wars. There is no concern about putting similar batteries in series. After all a 6 or
12v battery consists of a number of 2v cells in series. "Golf cart" batteries are deep cycle. There are a lot of "golf cart" batteries sold so the
economics are favorable to some type of "special" battery. Replacing the gold cart batteries and the engine battery will be way less than your $1000
figure.

I say "golf cart" in quotes as the number of these batteries sold appears to far exceed the needs of golf carts.

--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
 
Wow. Several good answers in 35 minutes. I love this place.
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
 
Thom,

You have no sigfile, so I don't know what you are trying to equip.
6V golfcart batteries are easily the best bang for the buck, but if you tell us more we can be more help.

Matt - Long day at Mansfield
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Slightly off topic, but related to house batteries. What are the experiences here for off the grid dry camping? How long can you camp on a single
charge? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
--
Vadim Jitkov
'76 Glenbrook 26'
Pullman, WA
 
Three days on 250 ah of cells. Less in the winter. Even less With the fans going.

That includes an electric fridge drawing 5.8 amps and a CPAP for the undersigned. All KED lighting.

Dolph Santorine

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

>
> Slightly off topic, but related to house batteries. What are the experiences here for off the grid dry camping? How long can you camp on a single
> charge? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
> --
> Vadim Jitkov
> '76 Glenbrook 26'
> Pullman, WA
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Yep Sam's Club has duracell brand batteries that I like.
We run 4 6V golf cart batteries.

The "golf cart" batteries are true deep cycle batteries where the "rv/boat" batteries are just a hybrid battery that can't handle the depth of
discharge as well.
We try to keep ours above 50% SOC all the time.
--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
 
As I was servicing my Old Reliable Onan doing some scheduled oil and
filters changing, I noticed a bit of corrosion on the battery cables that
connect my two Trojan T-105 house batteries. So, I got my CSI focus beam
inspection light and took a better look into the compartment. Not liking
what I discovered, I pulled those huge 6 volt wet cell batteries out of the
compartment. They didn't seem to be that heavy when I put them in there in
2014. I checked my maintenance log to be sure of the date. At the same
time, I also installed a 50 Amp automatic transfer switch, and a PD 60 Amp
smart charger.
So, my point is this. All that automatic stuff is so reliable, that we
are lured into complacency, and tend to ignore stuff when it works well.
In almost 5 years, I had not pulled those batteries out and cleaned up the
corrosion on the posts and cables, OR checked the water level in the cells.
Between the two batteries, it took nearly 1/3 of a gallon of distilled
water to top them off.
The second point is this. Those big, heavy, TALL Trojan batteries have
an enormous electrolyte reserve capacity above the top of those cell
plates. That feature saved my bacon this time. The cells were still covered
in five years of use with the coach plugged in constantly and that smart
charger doing its job. That is the essential difference between those cheap
Walmart "golf cart" batteries, and those massive, expensive Trojans.
Reliability and redundancy comes with a price tag. I for one don't mind the
extra cost if it equates to benefits like I just described.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Mon, Oct 7, 2019, 6:05 AM Justin Brady via Gmclist <

> Yep Sam's Club has duracell brand batteries that I like.
> We run 4 6V golf cart batteries.
>
> The "golf cart" batteries are true deep cycle batteries where the
> "rv/boat" batteries are just a hybrid battery that can't handle the depth of
> discharge as well.
> We try to keep ours above 50% SOC all the time.
> --
> Justin Brady
> http://www.thegmcrv.com/
> 1976 Palm Beach 455
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Even though you disregard more expensive batteries, I would strongly look into the total cost of ownership of a LiFePo4 battery compared to any of the other offerings, especially taking into account how much usable Ah you get.

I am happy with 200Ah LiFePo4 and won't have anything else in my EU based vehicle. Will probably change in the US based one as well, when the next change happens.
--
Regards

P O Schmidt
 
Peer-

How do you handle keeping the battery from freezing?

A number of GMC’ers have damaged their LiFePo4 battery’s that way.

Dolph Santorine

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

>
> Even though you disregard more expensive batteries, I would strongly look into the total cost of ownership of a LiFePo4 battery compared to any of the other offerings, especially taking into account how much usable Ah you get.
>
> I am happy with 200Ah LiFePo4 and won't have anything else in my EU based vehicle. Will probably change in the US based one as well, when the next change happens.
> --
> Regards
>
> P O Schmidt
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I have never experienced that with mine. We don't get too cold around here, minimum for a couple of days of -10C. No problems for me so far.

Am 7. Oktober 2019 20:13:40 MESZ schrieb Adolph Santorine via Gmclist :
>Peer-
>
>How do you handle keeping the battery from freezing?
>
>A number of GMC’ers have damaged their LiFePo4 battery’s that way.
>
>Dolph Santorine
>
>DE AD0LF
>
>Wheeling, West Virginia
>
>1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
>Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission
>
>
>> On Oct 7, 2019, at 1:51 PM, P. O. Schmidt via Gmclist

>>
>> Even though you disregard more expensive batteries, I would strongly
>look into the total cost of ownership of a LiFePo4 battery compared to
>any of the other offerings, especially taking into account how much
>usable Ah you get.
>>
>> I am happy with 200Ah LiFePo4 and won't have anything else in my EU
>based vehicle. Will probably change in the US based one as well, when
>the next change happens.
>> --
>> Regards
>>
>> P O Schmidt
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>GMCnet mailing list
>Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Regards

P O Schmidt
 
There is a nice article about the temperature range
https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/lifepo4-lithium-iron-powersport-batteries-cold-weather-performance.html

Am 7. Oktober 2019 20:13:40 MESZ schrieb Adolph Santorine via Gmclist :
>Peer-
>
>How do you handle keeping the battery from freezing?
>
>A number of GMC’ers have damaged their LiFePo4 battery’s that way.
>
>Dolph Santorine
>
>DE AD0LF
>
>Wheeling, West Virginia
>
>1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
>Howell EFI/EBL , Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission
>
>
>> On Oct 7, 2019, at 1:51 PM, P. O. Schmidt via Gmclist

>>
>> Even though you disregard more expensive batteries, I would strongly
>look into the total cost of ownership of a LiFePo4 battery compared to
>any of the other offerings, especially taking into account how much
>usable Ah you get.
>>
>> I am happy with 200Ah LiFePo4 and won't have anything else in my EU
>based vehicle. Will probably change in the US based one as well, when
>the next change happens.
>> --
>> Regards
>>
>> P O Schmidt
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>GMCnet mailing list
>Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Regards

P O Schmidt
 
I understand Jerry Work was to present a discussion about lithium batteries and the system wide considerations that ought to be addressed at the GMC
Western States Seven Feathers rally that just concluded. I'd be on the edge of my chair if it were stronger!

Also an interesting article from 2008 about RV electric power can be found here:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/miscellaneous-stuff/p51618-balance-of-power-batteries-in-a-motorhome.html
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/miscellaneous-stuff/p51618-balance-of-power-batteries-in-a-motorhome.html

--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
 
He also is doing a live video conference with GMCMI rally today. So you can
see him on TV.
Jim Hupy
Salem,Oregon

On Mon, Oct 7, 2019, 11:56 AM Larry Davick via Gmclist <

> Sonofagun - Jerry's presentation has been posted!
> http://gmcws.org/blog/lithium-battery-presentation-gmcws-2019-fall-rally/
> >
> --
> Larry Davick
> A Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, Ca
> Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
My computer blocks this from saving, saying it is unsafe!

D C "Mac" Macdonald​
Amateur Radio K2GKK​
Since 30 November '53​
USAF and FAA, Retired​
Member GMCMI & Classics​
Oklahoma City, OK​
"The Money Pit"​
TZE166V101966​
'76 ex-Palm Beach​
k2gkk + hotmail dot com​

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Larry Davick via Gmclist
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2019 13:56
To: gmclist
Cc: Larry Davick
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 6 or 12volt

Sonofagun - Jerry's presentation has been posted!
http://gmcws.org/blog/lithium-battery-presentation-gmcws-2019-fall-rally/
http://gmcws.org/blog/lithium-battery-presentation-gmcws-2019-fall-rally/
--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy

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