Battery Trojan T105 vs X2?? |
Post Reply | Page <123> |
Author | |
johnmaci
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202 |
Topic: Battery Trojan T105 vs X2?? Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 8:19am |
As a price to performance compromise, have you looked at these:
https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc115 I purchased two of these 6v (230AH) to connect in series for 12v. Around $100 each after 10% coupon + core charge. I have them encased in a TorkLift Locking Battery Box: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/TorkLift/TLA7708R.html I only boondock for a week at a time, and have a Renogy 100w suitcase solar panel to keep things topped off (no genny). Im finding more parks are begining to ban the use of portable generators (built-in so far are still acceptable). If I were a heavy power user, I don't think 100w would be sufficient and would add another (2) 100w panels on the roof. That said, my needs are minimal since we have a 12v TV, no inverter, and use propane for everything (coffee percolator, tea pot, etc.). We have a cuisinart BBQ grill outside as well as a coleman stove. Your enemy, as others have mentioned will be the furnace fan. IMHO, two GC batteries would do you well. |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 7:44am |
Let me add to my post....
One of the bigger mistakes one can make with batteries is to over-discharge them. This kills them and we will find ourselves shopping for new ones, in short order. The golf cart batteries can be taken down to roughly 50% S.O.C. (state of charge), as mentioned. My experience with the RV/Marine (hybrids) is more like 70%. At this point, they are getting close to 12 volts and need recharged. My 2 group 24 batteries give me about 55 amp/hours before reaching this point. The math and real world experience agree with each other on this. |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 7:02am |
Here is my inverter set up:
David's inverter If you like watching a LOT of TV when dry camping, buying a 12vdc television would be more "battery friendly". My 55 watt (@120vac)television uses about 5 amps when running through the inverter. So, watching television for 10 hours would equal 50 amp/hours. My usage is kind of similar to Outbound's. In the Fall, it gets dark early and it's cold. I tend to spend more time inside watching TV and running the furnace. I guesstimate my usage at 40 amp/hours, per day - give or take. I charge daily for about 2-3 hours (2 - 1 to 1 1/2 hour periods). As the temperature drops, batteries lose capacity, which also works against us. In moderate weather, I have gone as much as 4 days and still had good batteries. As far as lifespan, I got 5 years out of my last pair of RV/Marine (hybrid) batteries. Some have gotten more. The lifespan is a function of charge/discharge cycles - not necessarily age. The Trojans will take more cycles than the hybrids, due to their more robust construction. There are many factors to consider. The "right" answer is the one that works best for you and fits your camping "style". |
|
Patriot Dave
Senior Member Joined: 06 Feb 2016 Location: LaSalle, Mi. 48 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206 |
Posted: 31 Mar 2016 at 4:42am |
David you mentioned watching TV via inverter. Can you give me the details for that? Boondocking as we will be doing, it would be nice to catch a bit of TV watching every now and then. Is that a big draw on the battery? Thanks |
|
Dave & Joyce
Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
|
Patriot Dave
Senior Member Joined: 06 Feb 2016 Location: LaSalle, Mi. 48 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 8:12pm |
Thank You for the points you make. More for me to consider. |
|
Dave & Joyce
Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
|
Outbound
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 7:44pm |
Adding onto furpod's comment: stick with deep cycle batteries. They'll stand up to the discharge/recharge cycles much better; a hybrid battery really should be used in a situation where it's fairly constantly recharged to 100% (i.e. by an alternator in a vehicle).
Deep cycle batteries tend to all have around the same number of amp hours per pound. So, decide how many amp hours you need first and then look to the weight, size, and price options that work for you. I tend to use 30-40 amp hours per day in the spring/fall when the furnace is going. One thought about dry camping with lead-acid batteries and a generator: Your goal is to not let your batteries drop below 50%. Lead-acid batteries bulk charge to 80% of capacity fairly quickly (1-2 hours) after which they charge exponentially slower (8-10 hours). Ideally, when dry camping, stick to that sweet spot - allowing your batteries to drop no lower than 50% and then charge to 80%. This minimizes your run time and keeps your batteries in good condition. At the end of your trip, make sure to charge to 100%. For me, with a pair of group 24 deep cycle batteries, this means I charge for 1.5 hours every other day in the summer, and every day in the spring/autumn when I'm running the furnace.
|
|
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
|
|
Patriot Dave
Senior Member Joined: 06 Feb 2016 Location: LaSalle, Mi. 48 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 5:21pm |
Thanks for the reply. You have given me more info to consider. I hope to be out boon docking for several days in a row including early spring and late fall in northern Michigan which may require the furnace during the day time. I do have a 2000 watt inverter generator to be used as needed. |
|
Dave & Joyce
Never Forget, In God We Trust; This Our National Motto. Member; Patriot Guard Riders, Michigan Chapter Retired; So Every Day is Saturday.... Except Sunday |
|
Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 5:21pm |
My two cents. From a couple of visits to our local Batteries Plus. I don't think you can find a more expensive battery supplier. Check other local suppliers. Safe Travels.
|
|
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 5:00pm |
I'll throw in my $.02 and more or less echo furpod.
If you want the MAXIMUM available power between charges, then the 2 Trojans are about as good as it gets - performance vs. price. That said, I run 2 group 24 "hybrids" ($150 total). They fit my "style". Though I prefer primitive camping, really, most of it is done with electrical hook ups available. In the places where it is not, most have campsites where generators are allowed. I have one of the quiet generators and only MUST have enough power to last thru the "quiet hours". If I am not running the furnace, transmitting on my radio, or watching a lot of television (I use an inverter), the batteries will last for several days between charges. IMHO, the best way to approach the "battery problem" is to ask: How much power do I intend to use? How often and for how long (each time) due I want to recharge? A battery does not "make" power - it is just a "storage container". If you take out/use 50 amp/hrs, at some point, you got to put those electrons back in. The WFCO converter/charger is going to charge at a given rate - no matter what battery(s) are connected. Most of the time, for most of my camping, a single hybrid would do fine. But, again, that is MY usage/style. |
|
JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 3:40pm |
I have a single group 31 in a plastic box
|
|
JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
|
Post Reply | Page <123> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |