house batteries

[christopher]

what is better  4 6v golf cart batteries or 3 12v marine batteries?
Thanks
CHRIS MCI5C

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Christopher,

This depends on the type battery's you are takling about.

The sheer volume/capacity of  four 6v golf cart batt is much greater then three standard 12v deep cycle batts.

Nick-

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

A little excerpt from the board help section

The most important consideration in buying a deep cycle battery is the Ampere-Hour (AH) or Reserve Capacity (or Reserve Minutes) rating that will meet or exceed your requirements and how much weight you can carry.  Most deep cycle batteries are rated in discharge rates of 100 amps, 20 amps, or 8 amps.  The higher the discharge, the lower the capacity due to the Peukert Effect and the internal resistance of the battery.  Reserve Capacity (RC) is the number of minutes a fully charged battery at 80° F (26.7° C) is discharged at 25 amps before the voltage falls below 10.5 volts.

Nick-

[Tenor]

Also Chris,
Remind us if you are using these for a 12V system or a 24V system.  Thanks!

[jjrbus]

 I've been led to belive  the "marine" type batteries are not a true deep cycle and will not last as long as the golf cart type. With some planning if the Golf cart type prove to be insufficent you can replace them with L16's. The L16's have the same footprint but are taller.
                       HTH Jim

[belfert]

Most of the RV/Marine batteries sold at Walmart and similiar places are combination starting/deep cycle so they don't work as well for house batteries as a true deep cycle battery.  The golf cart batteries from Sam's Club are popular because they are true deep cycle and relatively inexpensive.  Another option is to find a battery wholesaler/retailer that is local and buy true deep cycle batteries from them.  If all else fails, you can order deep cycle batteries, but shipping is sky high, especially with flooded batteries.  I found a local place that is selling AGM batteries for less money than ordering even before shipping is added.

I would go for AGM batteries if you can afford it as they don't require water, can handle deeper discharge, and can be charged a bit faster.

[jjrbus]

 There was an article that stated that batteries don't die they are murdered!!  So it used to be suggested to start with the cheaper lead acid batterys, this would be the learner or trainer set.

[christopher]

yes
its a 12 v system. all 4 batteries went on my last vacation. i might of murdered them as the tops of the plates were not covered in water from the winter trickle charge. i bought a walmart marine but i thing i will put 6v golf carts and price the agm'
Thanks for all your responses
chris
mci5c

[jjrbus]

Chris, do a web search on battery care, there is a lot of info out there.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Try this,

http://www.marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm#6

Nick-

[HB of CJ]

Four (4) six volt golf cart batteries can be wired up either as 6, 12 or 24 volts.  Three (3) 12 volt marine batts can only be wired up as 12 volts.  May make a difference.  Alsos...most golf cart batts are true deep cycle type, while "marine" batts can either be starting, deep cycle or a combination of both.  Clear as mud.  Employing higher voltage in your apppliation may save on wiring size and costs.

Advanced gas matt (AGM) batts are much more $$$$$, but charge up very quick and survive more "cycles"; are sealed, don't usually gas and potentially can be mounted in lots of physical places.  You might save enough fuel by recharging quicker to pay for the added expense of the AGM batteries.  Maybe others more knowledgable then me can help you more. 

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Advanced gas matt (AGM) batts are much more $$$$$, but charge up very quick and survive more "cycles"; are sealed, don't usually gas and potentially can be mounted in lots of physical places.  You might save enough fuel by recharging quicker to pay for the added expense of the AGM batteries.  Maybe others more knowledgable then me can help you more. 

Hi HB,

Absorbed Glass Mat..

Sorry, couldn't help it.
Nick-

[lesrMC9]

good place to start

http://www.batteryfaq.org/

This was uuhome something or other by William Darden it was changed sometime ago

I also posted it in the HELP section as a correction

[HB of CJ]

Hello Nick....Isn't that exactly what I said?  Advanced...advance.....advantage.....abnormal.....wait....do you mean...ABSORBED?   Well, isn't that exactly what I said?  No,....  wait....  er.... er....er.... er...,
AUGHHHHHH!!!  I HATE getting middleaged!!!!   I stand corrected and all that other humble stuff.  He he he. 

[H3Jim]

HB, just wait, it gets worse )