Battery Advice
Submitted: Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 15:03
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Rumbler
Me again,
The Troopy I run had 2 batteries fitted with a TransPo 130a battery management system when I bought it. The 2 batteries are “normal” large wet cell truck batteries. All is
well at the minute & on recent trial runs, I only stopped overnight with limited need for power (fridge-overnight & simple fluro lighting-maybe 2 hours) they served the purpose.
For a more serious future overland trip to the UK, I think I'll change to Deep Cycle batteries for the Aux supply (sorry folks, I know this can raise the heckles out there, but I’ve read the “points-of-view” about wet cell truck Vs deep cycle batteries as Aux supplies & I come down on the deep cycle side). I was originally planning on 3 batteries under the bonnet (cranker plus 2 X 100a/hr deep cycle batteries) but this requires changing to all 12 inch to fit them all in. Looking at the cost of tray & 3 battery replacements & thinking about the "real world" power demands when not rolling, I'm having second thoughts. I think if I have the 2 truck batteries I already have “serviced” to confirm they’re good get them up to speed (maybe someone can tell me what I’m talking about here) I can leave 1 fitted, fit a 140a/hr? deep cycle under the bonnet & carry the other truck as a spare (assuming they are recommended as okay & can brought up to “best condition”. Because I’ll be carrying a Honda 20i Genny, I can give the “spare” truck battery a boost or swap as the cranker once a month to keep it okay. I expect to rolling at some time during every day & if I do get stationary it will only likely be for a day or two & shouldn't be for more than 3-4 nights at any time & probable once a fortnight if that.
Thoughts please? I know enough to get into trouble. Thanks.
Reply By: Robin - Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 15:33
Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 15:33
I can't imagine Rumbler why you would need more than 2 batteries in working order for such a light load considering you have a backup gennie as
well !
Save your cash - good idea to have batteries checked though.
Robin Miller
AnswerID:
239088
Follow Up By: Rumbler - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 10:42
Friday, May 11, 2007 at 10:42
Thanks Robin
I guess you agreeing with my rethink. I was "worried" that if I was in some strange country & had to lay-up for a 3/4 day period, I might need more Aux
battery power. I just must learn not to be such a "worrier".
I'm also still unsure what battery servicing is & if it will give some indication that one or both of the truck batteries are good & worth taking as I described.
I've read a lot from the ExplorOz website on batteries about sulfation, state-of-charge, depth-of-discharge, capacity
test, equalising, how to look after &
test a battery & a lot of other stuff. I didn't want to do a lot of that stuff if it was going to be unnecessary. Stop being such a worrier Rumble & get on with it I hear you say? Fair enough, I will.
Many thanks for
feedback
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Robin - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:15
Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:15
I wouldn't worry to much about that stuff Rumbler, some of its a bit overdone on the internet.
You are on the right path - just get an auto-elec to
check your system so you no its
working ok.
The good thing about your setup is that if one battery gets down it can always be swapped for the other, although its probably easier to hook up your gennie for 1/2 hour or so.
I don't know if you have this but two things are good investment - low volts cut out for fridge and a simple voltmeter to give you piece of mind.
Robin Miller
FollowupID:
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