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Topic: Cold Weather Operations (Read 1482 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #25
That is not a good thing either.  The next step is to charge them up, move your coach into storage is disconnect the ground lead from those batteries.  I use plural because I'm assuming that you have two or four T 105 batteries powering your house.  It's really only one ground  wire.  If, after 24 hours the batteries have lost their charge you need to have a talk with Trojan.

Randall, there are two main types of lead acid battery construction.  The more common battery is a Starting Lighting and Ignition battery, one meant to deliver electricity on big torrents for a short period of time.  The less common Deep Discharge battery can deliver lower amounts of current to a deeper state of discharge without sustaining damage.  Your Trojan T-105 batteries of true deep discharge batteries with solid lead plates and a space underneath the plates for the material shed during normal operation to accumulate without reaching the bottom of the plates.

If after 24 hours you find your disconnected batteries in a low state of charge, well, sorry?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #26
That is not a good thing either.  The next step is to charge them up, move your coach into storage is disconnect the ground lead from those batteries.  I use plural because I'm assuming that you have two or four T 105 batteries powering your house.  It's really only one ground  wire.  If, after 24 hours the batteries have lost their charge you need to have a talk with Trojan.

Randall, there are two main types of lead acid battery construction.  The more common battery is a Starting Lighting and Ignition battery, one meant to deliver electricity on big torrents for a short period of time.  The less common Deep Discharge battery can deliver lower amounts of current to a deeper state of discharge without sustaining damage.  Your Trojan T-105 batteries of true deep discharge batteries with solid lead plates and a space underneath the plates for the material shed during normal operation to accumulate without reaching the bottom of the plates.

If after 24 hours you find your disconnected batteries in a low state of charge, well, sorry?
Understood. I plan to move inside tomorrow, whereupon I can charge the batteries by shore power. I will then disconnect ground and see what happens. I have six Trojan T-105s for house and two Interstate for chassis.

Again, many thanks for the help and insights.
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #27
Understood. I plan to move inside tomorrow, whereupon I can charge the batteries by shore power. I will then disconnect ground and see what happens. I have six Trojan T-105s for house and two Interstate for chassis.

Again, many thanks for the help and insights.

I had been so focused on replacing my current pair of 4D batteries with a pair of Interstate 8D I never considered doing the math for 6 T-105s. 
The latest change in plans has been the addition of an oxygen concentrator and Bi-Pap machine.  So time to re-think power storage needs.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #28
I had been so focused on replacing my current pair of 4D batteries with a pair of Interstate 8D I never considered doing the math for 6 T-105s. 
The latest change in plans has been the addition of an oxygen concentrator and Bi-Pap machine.  So time to re-think power storage needs.
I may rethink my wet cell banks after this, although I never again expect to be forced to remain outside during the winter. I know there are other choices, perhaps with fewer batteries (AGM? Lithium?).
This morning it was 15 degrees warmer and my batteries actually came up a little overnight. It will be above freezing tomorrow, and I will move inside if I can get out of the outdoor storage yard.
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #29
With wet cell or AGM's, you can use about 30% of the Ah capacity before needing to recharge, to maximize battery life.  With Lithiums, you can use about 80% before needing to recharge.  So a 100Ah lithium has 80Ah of usable juice, where you'd need a 260Ah lead acid battery to have the same 80Ah usable.  Lithiums are more expensive as well.

AGM vs wet cell - you don't have to worry about AGM's cooking off the electrolyte like you do with wet cells on a constant charge.

That's what I've gathered so far anyway.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #30
Lithium's don't like cold.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Reply #31
With wet cell or AGM's, you can use about 30% of the Ah capacity before needing to recharge, to maximize battery life.  With Lithiums, you can use about 80% before needing to recharge.  So a 100Ah lithium has 80Ah of usable juice, where you'd need a 260Ah lead acid battery to have the same 80Ah usable.  Lithiums are more expensive as well.

AGM vs wet cell - you don't have to worry about AGM's cooking off the electrolyte like you do with wet cells on a constant charge.

That's what I've gathered so far anyway.
Good to know—thanks! I'm liking the Ah  analysis you provide. How many Lithiums needed to replace six 6-volt wet cells?
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410