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Topic ClosedBattery Recommendation

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furpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery Recommendation
    Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 5:29pm
Don't get wrapped up about venting.. all the battery boxes you might choose to use are vented. It only becomes an issue if you want to mount your batteries INSIDE.. because then you need a special box designed to vent to the outside. Our Airstream is done this way.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 4:52pm
Thank you for the explanation. So, it's just the FLA batteries that need venting?
I saw some Marine and/or golf cart batteries at Costco last time I was there but I didn't stop to look what type they were. Without knowing their AH rating, they seemed pretty affordable. I'll look closer next time to see what kind they are.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 2:33pm
Originally posted by howmanyds

Also, do all batteries need to be vented? AGM, wet-cell, or otherwise?


Not all batteries need to be vented, BUT for our purpose, because we (podders) pretty much all use flooded lead acid batteries, need to be vented. The cost of AGMs over FLA batteries, far out weigh any advantages of venting/not venting. A person can, and some have, built or installed a vented interior box for FLA batteries.. but with storage space at a premium in most pods, having them outside in the first place is best for most.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 2:31pm
Originally posted by howmanyds

My walk-through guy told me if I was to later switch to 6V batteries I would need to run different lines. Did he mean just adding the extra cable to pair the batteries in series (which I knew) or would the line into the Rpod actually need to be different size? What size cable should the lines between batteries be?


It's a 12v system. No matter which battery system you use. Nothing in the pod is going to pull more amps based on the battery. The provided supply wires are just fine. If you have a single 12v now, you will need one short cable that you don't have now, to wire the positive on battery A to the negative on battery B.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 1:20pm
Also, do all batteries need to be vented? AGM, wet-cell, or otherwise?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 12:57pm
My walk-through guy told me if I was to later switch to 6V batteries I would need to run different lines. Did he mean just adding the extra cable to pair the batteries in series (which I knew) or would the line into the Rpod actually need to be different size? What size cable should the lines between batteries be?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 12:39pm
Originally posted by hogone

thanks furpod.  be honest!!  am i wasting my money on these durecells?  hogone


Dual GC-2's of any name brand will be better then the group 24 or 24's.. IMHO, it's only wasting money if you don't actually NEED that much reserve 12v. Are Duracells "not as good" as Trojans? No they are not. But they are not bad batteries. At the time I went to dual Gc-2s, the difference from the Duracells at Sam's to T-105's, was about $25 a battery. I didn't have any issue paying that to have the best, but, like I said, my needs/wants are not the same as yours.. (probably) You are honestly talking about 15% max difference in available aH's between the best, and worst of the GC-2s. And probably less then 10% between the Duracells and the Trojans.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 11:20am
Most accurate measure of SOC is specific gravity as measured with a hydrometer. Second best is open circuit voltage measured with a volt meter after a resting period. Easiest is the open circuit resting no load/charge voltage measured right at the battery. When it drops below 12.0 volts you're at 50%.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 10:38am
battery cases are easily found.......i dont think my 12v's will work..........ya bolt to holder.  hogone
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 9:56am
Looking at your battery case I am assuming these are easily found. Bolt to the frame?

Also regarding percentage of SOC, what is typically used as a measuring device?

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Dave & Joyce
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