Battery bank question

[PP]

I had a real good link that answered most battery questions, but my bookmark seems to have vanished. If anyone still has the link, can you re-post it, please? Question I have now is-one of 4 house batteries went south. All 4 (6v-220AH) are less than a year old. One developed what appears to be a dead short inside it and caused my Heart to overcharge the entire bank. Something about winter brings out the worst in batteries. Fortunately, 3 of the bats are fine. I tried hooking 2 in series and paralleling the 3rd, but that caused an imbalance and more overcharging. These are Centennial batteries and there isn't a local dealer, so I'm forced to use only 2 until I can replace the 4th. Here comes the question-drumroll please-can I substitute any 6volt 220AH battery in with the good 3, or will there still be an imbalance and charging issues?
Did I mention how much I love this board and all you guys with the answers?
Thanks to everyone for all your patience and help, Will

[Hartley]

Golf cart battery will work.

You have to remember 2X6 volts is 12 volts.

You need 4 batteries which is 2-groups of 2 which make up 12 volts when you
hook the groups in parallel. ( for 12 volts or in series for 12 volt systems. )

Sorry I jumped in late and didn't read the whole thread...

Dave..

[Sojourner]

I had a real good link that answered most battery questions, but my bookmark seems to have vanished. If anyone still has the link, can you re-post it, please? Question I have now is-one of 4 house batteries went south. All 4 (6v-220AH) are less than a year old. One developed what appears to be a dead short inside it and caused my Heart to overcharge the entire bank. Something about winter brings out the worst in batteries. Fortunately, 3 of the bats are fine. I tried hooking 2 in series and paralleling the 3rd, but that caused an imbalance and more overcharging. These are Centennial batteries and there isn't a local dealer, so I'm forced to use only 2 until I can replace the 4th. Here comes the question-drumroll please-can I substitute any 6volt 220AH battery in with the good 3, or will there still be an imbalance and charging issues?
Did I mention how much I love this board and all you guys with the answers?
Thanks to everyone for all your patience and help, Will

This my favorite Battery site

Bill Darden's CAR AND DEEP CYCLE BATTERY (left click)

It has all of what you ever need to know about battery.

Since late 1940's, I have been studying about battery through my career and on.

About replace the one "dead cell" battery...you need to have match dated, brand model, same size batteries to achieve the maximum service life. In other words, battery is like us human....they do get worn and tired like we do...and you replace the one old person (old battery) for a new young & strong will cause the others older ones to be over works at the same time.

I have been there and seen it happen many time with customers and learn to bite the bullet to replace all of them at the same time.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[pvcces]

Will, while Gerald's advise is sound, if you have the self discipline to write off the replacement battery if it proves necessary, I see nothing wrong with risking a single golf cart battery before writing off the three batteries that have not failed.

While Gerald is right in that there will be some loss of service from the set, I don't see how you can be sure that they are bad enough that they won't provide adequate service for your needs.

This is only worth trying if you are willing to buy a set of four if the old ones won't work as long as you want. If you should try one new battery and discover that it won't work fairly soon, just charge up the new one and buy the other three to match. I wouldn't try that with a year old battery.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

[Sojourner]

Will...after I read Tom's (pvcces) post...he reminded me that your batteries are only one year old. Yes, it is shame to repurchase all four new batteries because of the great expense. I used to work at a golf cart shop for about year and I remember some time a customer had a bad battery out of 6 units and my boss had some take out from previous customer wanted newer batteries. So my suggestion is to go over to a golf cart place to see if they have same AH battery with nearly same date as yours for much less cost. The dates are marked on the post or on top of the case.

I am sorry for not mention this earlier to save you money.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[PP]

Thanks Gerald and Tom,
That's a good link and I've added it to my Faves. Seems as if I go from one battery problem to the next. I'm going to try finding a used 6V 220AH and make up four again and see how it goes. If I can't find a good take out I'll go with a single new at this time and try that. If I had waited until we got back to familiar ground before buying the last ones it wouldn't be difficult finding a mate for them. But alas, that's not the case.
Appreciate the help. Hopefully I can save the cost of replacing all 4 at this time. Most money already spent on the grand kids he he Maybe if I didn't have this white beard they wouldn't send me their Christmas wish lists LOL
Will

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi PP,

I have a thread started in the board help section on electrical info if you need quick refrencees.

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5097.0

Good Luck
Nick-

[PP]

Thanks Nick, that's the missing link! I tried a search in the threads but I must not have used the right search words. You are definitely the MAN! It's back in my faves 
Happy Holidays, Will

[Oregonconversion]

Great link!
http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/



Is there a inverter/charger that will balance your battery bank while charging or cycling?