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House battery decision

March 23, 2016, 04:59:08 pm

While in perry my house battery got down to 10.2 volts, WHAT it was 13.6 before sleep..

900 watts solar.. with sun 13.4 volts
Ran gen set for 20-30 min 2x per day

Refer on, heat on 2nd night.. then low volts so I ran gen set 3 times

Guess it's time.. 2007 date on battery

So now since it's my only house battery... 6 volt or 8d AGM.

Goals.. increase amp hous if possible in 10x20-22" x12 space
Parallel 2 6v agms?  Are 2 more am per hrs?

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #1 – March 23, 2016, 05:28:58 pm

Probably the easiest is to replace what you have.  As batteries age they loose capacity and discharge and charge quickly.  If it is only taking 20 min to charge, you need a new battery.  AGM or GEL cost more and last longer and you do not have to check the water level.  As a matter of fact you cannot check that on AGM and GEL.  For a house battery best to get one rated for deep discharge.  As far as 6 volt vs 12 v not much difference except that smaller 6 volts are easier to lift than a larger 12 v.  If you do not have 6 v now you would have to buy cables to connect them. 

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #2 – March 23, 2016, 05:53:59 pm

Jerry, I have a agm 8d now. Understood on ease of install.. 9+ years old

Held 13.2 volts for 30 min then dropped... charged off alternator for 6hr while driving and full charge 24+ hrs b4 we left..

 but I'm seeing lifetime and Trojans at 180-200 am per hour.. in parallel do you add the 2 together to get more?

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #3 – March 23, 2016, 06:09:39 pm

Yes, with 12 VDC batteries in PARALLEL, you ADD amp-hrs. so two 220 amp-hr 12 VDC batteries in parallel= 440 amp-hrs @ 12 VDC.

With 6 VDC batteries wired in SERIES, you ADD voltage-- amp- hrs the same.  So, two 220 amp-hr 6 VDC batteries in series= 220 amp-hrs @ 12 VDC.

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #4 – March 23, 2016, 07:11:05 pm

Thanks Brett..

Sorry I missed in Perry

Lots of discussions w Charlie and Jim Vettie on the task force to ENERGIZE FMCA, with new folks, younger families and full time home schooled families..

Mass rally, we will be ting out a few of the ideas from the task-force.


Where to get batteries?

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #5 – March 24, 2016, 01:46:59 pm

In Nov last year I bought three 8D AGM batteries from apex battery.com (APX12-260 at $340 + $100 ship each). Best price I could find for AGM (a Gel battery was almost $200 more).

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #6 – March 24, 2016, 01:53:23 pm

O'Reilly's 8D AGM

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #7 – March 24, 2016, 02:50:58 pm

Check w/NAPA to verify if they are continuing their second Saturday of every month Early Bird Special in your location.
I purchased a pair of 8D's for as cheap as I have ever seen them available from anyone (I am VERY frugal BTW. pc  ;>)

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Re: House battery decision

Reply #8 – March 24, 2016, 05:13:25 pm

Thanks... looking into apex..

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