time to swap the batteries (6 x deep cycle 6

[ek_lektro]

>> I guess I am surprised that with all the respect that Trojan has that the bank needs replacing after only 7 years.

> Its not the quality of the Trojan batteries, it is a matter of charge management.

It is surely a matter of charge management,
and to also not let your batteries run dry!… add distilled water, when needed,
in our case it seemed about every few months. (We use this rig a LOT)

When we’re on shore power we’ve got a high quality Magnum Inverter/charger
that keeps the float voltage where it needs to be for maintaining battery life.
(Also, we’d do an equalization charge about once a year)
When we’re remote, its the same situation with the quality of our Blue Sky solar charge regulator…
proper float voltage…

But... considering how many late-night studio sessions we got off battery power
the past 8 years… considering how many charges and discharges,
and especially the intensity of some of the discharges, fairly high amperage,
often running a studio inside and a rooftop speaker system outside,
and sometimes even running our electric water heater off inverter power….
hey, I’m satisfied with 8 years of service!!
But i’m not a devotee to the Trojan brand., and i’ll surely peruse the suggestions and prices, thanks!
Greg

 

[bd5av8r]

[Commercial} Trojan Man! Sorry, wrong commercial.

The batteries lasted a good long time. I'd get another set if they are
available.

I got 10 years out of a Die Hard Gold from sears.

Ive also got "less than stellar" service from some chain store batteries,
too.

Sammy

>
> >> I guess I am surprised that with all the respect that Trojan has that
> the bank needs replacing after only 7 years.
>
> > Its not the quality of the Trojan batteries, it is a matter of charge
> management.
>
> It is surely a matter of charge management,
> and to also not let your batteries run dry!… add distilled water, when
> needed,
> in our case it seemed about every few months. (We use this rig a LOT)
>
> When we’re on shore power we’ve got a high quality Magnum Inverter/charger
> that keeps the float voltage where it needs to be for maintaining battery
> life.
> (Also, we’d do an equalization charge about once a year)
> When we’re remote, its the same situation with the quality of our Blue Sky
> solar charge regulator…
> proper float voltage…
>
> But... considering how many late-night studio sessions we got off battery
> power
> the past 8 years… considering how many charges and discharges,
> and especially the intensity of some of the discharges, fairly high
> amperage,
> often running a studio inside and a rooftop speaker system outside,
> and sometimes even running our electric water heater off inverter power….
> hey, I’m satisfied with 8 years of service!!
> But i’m not a devotee to the Trojan brand., and i’ll surely peruse the
> suggestions and prices, thanks!
> Greg
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[a.]

> ...i'm not a devotee to the Trojan brand., and i'll surely peruse the suggestions and prices, thanks!
> Greg
Look at Crown batteries. Made in the USA. Robust construction. Not cheap, but with proper charge management and never getting over-discharged, will
last for more charge/discharge cycles than any other brand.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."

 

[powwerjon]

Most batteries sold in the US are US made of North American made. See list below:

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm

The only batteries from the far east come as OEM from vehicles made there.

The weight of batteries dictates that they be made close to the sales area and most are made by 4 or fewer manufactures in the USA.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
Newsletter Editor/Publisher
Tech Editor
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan

>

>> ...i'm not a devotee to the Trojan brand., and i'll surely peruse the suggestions and prices, thanks!
>> Greg
> Look at Crown batteries. Made in the USA. Robust construction. Not cheap, but with proper charge management and never getting over-discharged, will
> last for more charge/discharge cycles than any other brand.
> --
> 73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
> 73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
> Upper Alabama
> "Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[a.]

> Most batteries sold in the US are US made of North American made. ...
Doesn't affect the message.

If you aren't going to spring for the right charger, correctly configured (and include temperature compensation), and then discharge it too far
occasionally, any battery will only last a couple of years. Buy the cheapest you can find.

If you put the right charging equipment on it, charge it right, and don't over-discharge it, the better battery will cost less in the long run.

Do what you want.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."

 

[ek_lektro]

> I read somewhere that there are only 4 manufacturers of automotive type lead acid batteries left in the US and most of the batteries are made by two
> of them. Johnson Controls and Exide.

i “heard" that as well... didn’t know if it was true.

I settled for (4) US 125 XC2 batteries to put up front, 242 amp hour,
and they’re so identical to Trojan T-125 (except for external casing) you gotta believe they’re from the same manufacturer

I’m eeking out a bit more life with my (2) T-145’s in the back battery bank.
but BTW: Does anybody know where you can buy a GOOD specific gravity tester?
AutoZone’s is worthless, and i think PepBoys offerings were no better when i bought one a couple years ago.

cheers y gracias,
Greg… ’78 Eleganza currently livin' in a garage in Tijuana

 

[Bruce Hart]

You might want to check out one of these instead of a hydrometer:

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=Cen-tech+digital+battery+analyzer

Gives the % of battery charge
Resistance in battery
Voltage of battery
Cold cranking amps

>
> > I read somewhere that there are only 4 manufacturers of automotive type
> lead acid batteries left in the US and most of the batteries are made by two
> > of them. Johnson Controls and Exide.
>
> i “heard" that as well... didn’t know if it was true.
>
> I settled for (4) US 125 XC2 batteries to put up front, 242 amp hour,
> and they’re so identical to Trojan T-125 (except for external casing) you
> gotta believe they’re from the same manufacturer
>
> I’m eeking out a bit more life with my (2) T-145’s in the back battery
> bank.
> but BTW: Does anybody know where you can buy a GOOD specific gravity
> tester?
> AutoZone’s is worthless, and i think PepBoys offerings were no better when
> i bought one a couple years ago.
>
> cheers y gracias,
> Greg… ’78 Eleganza currently livin' in a garage in Tijuana
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class

 

[emerystora]

I have been using an optical refractometer for over 40 years. It will give you cooling system freezing temperature as well as your battery specific gravity (level of charge). It is extremely accurate and only takes one drop of fluid for testing.
Mine looks like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/MISCO-Refractometer-Battery-Specific-Fahrenheit/dp/B00BS9X8J2/ref=sr_1_53?ie=UTF8&qid=1495674401&sr=8-53&keywords=antifreeze+tester+refractometer https://www.amazon.com/MISCO-Refractometer-Battery-Specific-Fahrenheit/dp/B00BS9X8J2/ref=sr_1_53?ie=UTF8&qid=1495674401&sr=8-53&keywords=antifreeze+tester+refractometer

That is a bit expensive now, (it was expensive 40 years ago too) so I just did a quick search and found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Glycol-Car-Battery-Refractometer-Antifreeze-Tester-Fluid-Ethylene-ATC-/252775961331 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Glycol-Car-Battery-Refractometer-Antifreeze-Tester-Fluid-Ethylene-ATC-/252775961331

There are many of these on eBay. Most are from China and show the temperatures in deg C instead of deg F but you can easily convert. But some are shipped from the USA.

These don’t have a glass tube like some of the float testers so they should last you a lifetime.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
>
>> I read somewhere that there are only 4 manufacturers of automotive type lead acid batteries left in the US and most of the batteries are made by two
>> of them. Johnson Controls and Exide.
>
> i “heard" that as well... didn’t know if it was true.
>
> I settled for (4) US 125 XC2 batteries to put up front, 242 amp hour,
> and they’re so identical to Trojan T-125 (except for external casing) you gotta believe they’re from the same manufacturer
>
> I’m eeking out a bit more life with my (2) T-145’s in the back battery bank.
> but BTW: Does anybody know where you can buy a GOOD specific gravity tester?
> AutoZone’s is worthless, and i think PepBoys offerings were no better when i bought one a couple years ago.
>
> cheers y gracias,
> Greg… ’78 Eleganza currently livin' in a garage in Tijuana
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org