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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: luvrbus on May 06, 2013, 06:29:47 AM

Title: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: luvrbus on May 06, 2013, 06:29:47 AM
Anyone using 8 volt batteries for a 24 volt house system I helped a friend here in Texas change from 6 volt golf cart batteries to the 8 volt he had a 12 battery bank.

We tied 3- 8 volt batteries in series for the 24 volt then we tied the 3 strings (9 batteries) in parallel going to the inverter doing away with 3 of 6 volt he lost a few amp hr but saved on 3 batteries 

? has anyone here tried this and will it work it seems ok to me and the inverter seems to have no problem with the charging  I am looking for future pit falls if any what say you electrical guys

good luck
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on May 06, 2013, 06:36:43 AM
 I am not an electrical guy but it seems to me that it should be fine. My only questions are where do you find 8v batteries and what is their usual application and cost?  Some place like Interstate Batteries or a farm supply store? Used in tractors or mowers?   
Title: Re: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: Dave5Cs on May 06, 2013, 06:47:38 AM
Ed you can get them in a golf cart repair shop or sales place. Also commercial battery place as well as most truck parts houses.
Clifford that should work depending on what he is running from those circutes.
Dave5Cs from Galaxy S III
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: luvrbus on May 06, 2013, 07:05:01 AM
He bought his from Costo paid under a 100 bucks ea and a $81.00 core charge total for the 9 and sold his 12 -6 volt at a recycling place for $25.00 each for a total of $300.00 took a bite out of the total cost.  

He ended up with a bank of 412 amp hrs he says that more than enough losing a 100 amp hr was not a big deal for him
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: uncle ned on May 06, 2013, 08:42:23 AM


Clifford

boy does that bring back bad memories   had to use them a few years ago to start old flathead fords and some of my hot rod 6  chev.

In our 0 degree winter mornings. Also using alcohol  or spring water to keep from freezing up.

uncle ned
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: bevans6 on May 06, 2013, 09:34:15 AM
three eight volt batteries are the same, electrically, as two twelves or four sixes, but he won't be able to center-tap for 12v.  An equalizer would probably be able to supply some 12v at fairly low current to run a radio or something like that.

Brian
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: luvrbus on May 06, 2013, 10:04:26 AM
He doesn't need a center tap his 24 volt system is for house only (110v through a inverter) his Eagle is a 12 v chassis system
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: Lin on May 06, 2013, 10:24:33 AM
My question would be why, not if you can, use 8v batteries.  One could use any combination of theoretic battery voltages to get to 24v, but is there some advantage to using 8v?
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: bobofthenorth on May 06, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
The guy across the dock from me right now has several 1.5 (or possibly 3) volt batteries that he is connecting as a house bank.  Apparently they have some telecom application.  They are huge - roughly 2 feet tall by maybe 14 x 16.
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: buswarrior on May 06, 2013, 02:47:57 PM
Big Transit here uses the 8 volt batteries in banks to make 32 volt banks for the subway cars.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: belfert on May 06, 2013, 04:21:20 PM
The only real advantage I see to 8 volt batteries is being able to use one less battery per 24 volt bank.
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: chessie4905 on May 06, 2013, 06:35:32 PM
what if he used 10 instead of 12 golf cart batteries. Would total output equal the 8 volt setup? What about total cost compared to the 8 volters?
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: Sam 4106 on May 06, 2013, 06:45:13 PM
Chessie,

You need four 6 volt batteries to make 24 volts. So, you need multiples of four to expand a 24 volt system, such as eight, twelve and so on. Ten 6 volt batteries won't work in a 24 volt system.

Good luck, Sam
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: pvcces on May 06, 2013, 10:06:59 PM
Cliff, we have been using them for years in our boat which has a 32 volt house bank. Hell, when I had some low start bank batteries, they even started the main with no difficulty. We still have two in our battery storage area.

They should work fine if they are deep cycle.

Tom Caffrey PD4109-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: chessie4905 on May 08, 2013, 05:57:50 AM
oops ::) wasn't thinking;what if he used 8-6 volt batts. How much lost capacity compared to the 8 volters. BTW, how much dead weight are 12 golf cart batteries?
Title: Re: 8 Volt Batteries
Post by: pvcces on May 08, 2013, 10:59:49 PM
Golf carts are about 65 lb.

Tom Caffrey