Solar Batteries

[o1marc]

I was checking out Chessie's 12v-215aH batteries and couldn't find anything on their website (Batteries Plus). I called the store and they couldn't find a 12v-215ah battery listed. So we talked for a bit and he gave me some options. One was a 205ah for $337, or a 450ah for $2600.
But then he found these and I was wondering how they would work. It's a 6v-330a for $250, but if I open a commercial account with them I can get them for $180ea. 4 would run $720.
Is there a better option out there at a reasonable price? I know batteries a can run into the $1000's

The guy did say when we couldn't find the Duracell 12v-215, that they had discontinued it in his store because the Trojan battery was a much better battery for $15 less.

[PNW_Steve]

How about two GC2's in series?

https://www.batteriesplus.com/batter...p-gc2/sligc110

That would give you a 12v 215a/h bank for $218.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

How about two GC2's in series?

https://www.batteriesplus.com/batter...p-gc2/sligc110

That would give you a 12v 215a/h bank for $218.

Separately they are 208ah, how does 2 make only 215?

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Separately they are 208ah, how does 2 make only 215?

Steve misspoke (mis-typed?) - you would have a 12V 208ah bank because those are each 6V batteries. Wired in series the voltage increases, but the capacity remains the same.

[ermracing]

Originally Posted by o1marc

But then he found these and I was wondering how they would work. It's a 6v-330a for $250, but if I open a commercial account with them I can get them for $180ea. 4 would run $720.

So you'll end up with 660ah (12v) for around $800 (tax and/or core charge). Not too bad.

We went with 12v partially because if we wanted to up our AH, we could add one battery at a time, instead of 2.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

Steve misspoke (mis-typed?) - you would have a 12V 208ah bank because those are each 6V batteries. Wired in series the voltage increases, but the capacity remains the same.

No Steve did not. If you series two 6v 215 a/h batteries you wind up with a 12v 215 a/h bank.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

No Steve did not. If you series two 6v 215 a/h batteries you wind up with a 12v 215 a/h bank.

That is correct, but the batteries you linked to were 208ah

[PNW_Steve]

I did stretch the a/h a bit. Those are only 208 a/h. The Trojan equivalent is 215 a/h. Got them mixed up.

[o1marc]

So the 228ah Duracells at $300 would give you 456ah@12v for $1200. The 330ah batteries are $180 for 660ah @12v for $720.
Batteries Plus is telling me Duracell is not all they are cracked up to be.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by o1marc

It's a 6v-330a for $250, but if I open a commercial account with them I can get them for $180ea. 4 would run $720.
Is there a better option out there at a reasonable price? I know batteries a can run into the $1000's

Sounds like you want to go with FLA batteries and total bank capacity of around 650Ah.

I'm not sure if these (https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc115) are available everywhere/where you are but six at 6V-230 Ah for $108/each (including the 10% online discount) would be 690 Ah bank for $650 +tax and would weigh in at around 400 lbs.

IMHO, fewer larger batteries would make for fewer cable connections to maintain and cells to water. More smaller batteries would make for more cable connections and more cells to water.

This battery watering system makes the watering chore very quick and easy. That can be a very useful thing depending on how accessible the batteries are.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Batteries Plus is telling me Duracell is not all they are cracked up to be.

I know a good number of RV folks running the cheapest FLA batteries that can be found (like the ones mentioned, Cosco, etc.). My observations tell me that all of these golf cart batteries are similar in quality and the key is how well they are cared for. Many folks that don't know what a "good" battery monitor is, anything about charging cycles, watering the batteries, and/or what percent of discharge is generally buy a new set of batteries every year or two. The smarter the user usually relates to better battery care which nearly always relates to longer battery life (sometimes MUCH longer). It is not uncommon to see 4-5 years of good service from these inexpensive batteries.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I know a good number of RV folks running the cheapest FLA batteries that can be found (like the ones mentioned, Cosco, etc.). My observations tell me that all of these golf cart batteries are similar in quality and the key is how well they are cared for. Many folks that don't know what a "good" battery monitor is, anything about charging cycles, watering the batteries, and/or what percent of discharge is generally buy a new set of batteries every year or two. The smarter the user usually relates to better battery care which nearly always relates to longer battery life (sometimes MUCH longer). It is not uncommon to see 4-5 years of good service from these inexpensive batteries.

I've told the story here about the woman who came in when I was working at O'Reilly. We didn't have a replacement for her Motorcraft battery that showed "On it's last 1/4, replace soon" on the tester. I offered to buy her battery for the core charge of $18. I put it in my truck and ran it for another 3+ years.

[Johnny Mullet]

I went with 6V golf cart batteries wired in series. These batteries can handle vibrations and are designed to be killed and recharged without damage. My entire bus build depends on 2 Interstate 6V golf cart batteries. Been installed 16 months so far without any issues.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

I went with 6V golf cart batteries wired in series. These batteries can handle vibrations and are designed to be killed and recharged without damage. My entire bus build depends on 2 Interstate 6V golf cart batteries. Been installed 16 months so far without any issues.

That's what I did with my travel trailer.

They are approaching four years old and running strong.

Keep them watered and charge them properly and they are a good solution.

Not quite large enough for my bus though. Looks like four L-16's in series for me.