Battery Choice?

abkeywest · Post by **abkeywest** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:33 am

I have to replace the house batteries and was wondering which way to go. Currently there are two 6V deep cycle batteries in series for 12V. Would it be better to get two 12V deep cycle batteries and run them parallel? Wouldnâ€™t the 12V parallel method give longer run time?

Thanks

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:43 am

What are you putting these in and what are the dimensions of your battery box(es)? Do you get enough amp hours from your current setup or are you looking for more?

Some things to think about which may help you decide.

abkeywest · Post by **abkeywest** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:51 am

Sorry! After rereading I did leave out some info. These are in a 10 meter express. I have space for either. The current set up is two 6V batteries. That has been working up till now, but since I need new ones was wondering if two 12V would give me more time.

Thanks

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Wed May 30, 2012 11:25 am

Amp hours are what give you longer use time before needing recharge. In a 10m you will have room for a few different size choices.

The choice between deep cycle 6v batteries wired in series or paralel wired 12v cells is largely personal choice. You can put a couple 6v golf cart style batteries together and often have a better (more amp hours) setup than many of the off the shelf batteries you can find in stores. If you decide to go the other route and go with a 12v cell(s) you can source huge deep cycles and start lining them up in paralel to your hearts content (or until space and/or money runs out).

8d's are huge deep cycle cells. They are spendy (espescially the AGM ones), and they are huge (20.5"x10.5"), but it will run a modest house load (10-15 amps) for about a week without recharging (at 65*F). Two of them will obviously do more.

They weigh about 160 lbs each, so that something to keep in mind too. 4d's are about 2 inches narrower in width and about an inch longer in length. They have about 50 fewer amp hours and weigh about 35 lbs less. They also run about $100 to $150 less than an 8d. (for an AGM cell).

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed May 30, 2012 11:58 am

Stay with 6V as they tend to be designed better for frequent full discharge (50%)..... only the top more expensive manufacturers are likely to have same plate quality in the 12V compared to 6V.
Put as many as space and $ allow.... I have never seen anyone complain that their house batteries last too long between charges.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:34 pm

ready123 wrote:......only the top more expensive manufacturers are likely to have same plate quality in the 12V compared to 6V.....

Old technology. Stick with AGM and you don't have these concerns.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:53 pm

ready123 wrote:Stay with 6V as they tend to be designed better for frequent full discharge (50%)..... only the top more expensive manufacturers are likely to have same plate quality in the 12V compared to 6V.
Put as many as space and $ allow.... I have never seen anyone complain that their house batteries last too long between charges.

+1

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed May 30, 2012 2:39 pm

Commissionpoint wrote:
ready123 wrote:......only the top more expensive manufacturers are likely to have same plate quality in the 12V compared to 6V.....
Old technology. Stick with AGM and you don't have these concerns.

I agree 100% on AGM... but am loathe to suggest it here as so many people are price sensitive.
I have gone the route of taking out 3yr old lightly used 4D wet cell and replaced with Lifeline AGM cranking for my engines because I like them.... was it cost effective maybe not but am I confident on the life I will get 100%

I already have 4 new 6V AGM's for my house banks.