Hi Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "Electricky Dicky" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 7:14 PM Subject: [canals-list] Re: New batteries
> On Sat, 6 Jun 2009 21:52:02 +0100, "Guy Morgan" > <[email protected]> > wrote: > >>Hi all >> >>The time has come to replace the domestic batteries on nb Virgo. The >>present batteries are 4 x Trojan T-50 6 volt wired in series parallel. I >>believe the T-50 is/was a 100AH unit though I can't find it listed on the >>Trojan website. >> >>My battery box is only just large enough to accomodate these 4 batteries, >>nothing larger though I could manage an extra inch of height. I'd like >>to >>increase the available capacity if I can. So far I've found a couple of >>Trojan types, T105 and T125, in the same size cases as the old T50. The >>best price I've found is at Battery Megastore, Tewkesbury T105, £130 and >>T125, £138. They've also got an American type I don't recognise in a >>si,milar capacity and the same size at £115 each. >> >>Does anyone know a better price and also are there any pitfalls I've >>missed >>in doubling the battery bank capacity (other than cost!)? > > IMHO you have two options. > 1 use two T105's giving 225Ah roughly the same as the 4 T50's > 2 Blow the inheritance and get 4 T105's giving 450Ah I'd certainly like to increase the overall capacity if possible. I've never been happy with the time I've got out of the domestic bank, even with Gibbo's gizmo fitted so I'd thought in terms of upping the capacity in some way. I suppose the other option would be to try to find two 12 volt units which would fit in the same space. > > You need say 10 - 20% charge rate so with 4 batteries 45 - 90A > assuming no load onboard whilst charging. What does your alternator > put out? It's a big b****r. I think it's rated at 150A > > I have fitted other T105 look alikes in the past when supplied by > customers but they have not performed like Trojans so I would suggest > spending that bit extra. > > I suggest charging at 14.8v or thereabouts for speed and > de-sulphation, even higher with look alikes possibly. As above, I have the Smartgauge/Smartbank system fitted which IIRC charges at 14.4V as supplied > > Bristol Batteries may do you a deal also the guys in Stroud, Glos, > name escapes me. I'll investigate Bristol Batteries then. Since my original post I've found another source of non-Trojan units Shield Batteries offering US Crown batteries at a price about £30 per unit less than Trojans from Battery Megastore in Tewkesbury. > > Keep them topped up, and not low volts for a long time and they will > do you proud IMHO. Thanks for the advice Richard. Much appreciated. One other thing, it has been suggested that an equalisation charge might kick the present set back into life. I know what it means (I think) but how do I get the system to maintain high voltage charge after the batteries are "full"? Cheers Guy -- Guy Morgan First Light Services nb Virgo, WFB, Stockton, GU
