Congrats! You have done your homework! And you were rewarded! This is usually the exception,lack of maintenance is the norm. I use both sealed and vented deep cycle batteries with good results,2200AH worth.Automotive batteries have thinner plates and more electrolyte to accomodate short bursts of hundreds of amps for starting,not much good for long light duty standby use. If you get friendly with your local IT pros,they change out UPS batteries every so often,lots of them! Bound to be a few good ones. 73,Lee
Doug Zastrow wrote: > I have in service an Interstate brand 8D-PHD lead acid deep cycle > battery that is nine years old and at nearly 80% of its brand-new > capacity. It is in stand-by service on a two-meter repeater. > > I owe its longevity to: > > * Constant float of 13.40 VDC > * Regular checks of electrolyte level topped off with distilled water > * Regular specific gravity checks to watch for cell degradation > * Regular cleaning of the battery case and terminals > * Semi-annual discharge followed by an equalization charge and then > return to float > > The site has an excellent ventilation system so the owner is not > concerned about venting. > > This battery has worked beautifully in my situation. YMMV. > > Doug > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Q <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > *To:* [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > *Sent:* Saturday, January 14, 2006 10:10 AM > *Subject:* Re: [Repeater-Builder] battery question > > NO!Car batteries will sulphate and vent dangerously explosive > hydrogen gas,are meant to be discharged quickly and recharged > immediately and dont last long in backup service.Most site owners > wont allow them to be used. Sealed lead/acid will last 5 to 10 > times longer and are designed for the intended purpose.There is > lots of good info on the web,do a search! 73,Lee > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > At 1/14/2006 01:09, you wrote: > > > >>The sealed lead acid cells have a much better deep cycle > capacity. Just > >>don't overcharge them. > >> > >>Dave WB2FTX > > > > > > Given that batteries used in backup service rarely get cycled at > all, > > wouldn't car batteries be a more cost-effective choice? (assuming > the gel > > cels were not a gift) > > > > Bob NO6B Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
