Most efficient Battery Bank Help!

[imported_JIm1]

The West Marine catalog states that the Seavolt 6 volt battery on page 506 has 370 Ah and 840 reserve minutes, which is described as the time it can sustain a 20 or 25 amp draw continuously until it is depleted. It also mentions that you can connect two in parallel for use as a house battery bank. It would then be 12 volts which now has 370 Ah and 840 reserve minutes at a cost of $226 times two or $450.00.

The Gel or AGM (4D) marine batteries have a total of 183 or 200 Ah while only having 375 or 405 reserve minutes each.

The 6 volt batteries also show a greater cycle life of 700 cycles versus the 500 and 300 of the other two.

The 4D batteries cost $400 in the Catalog. It appears that these two 6 volt batteries would be more efficient than a single 4D. Twice the Reserve minutes at only a 12.5% price increase over one 4D. There must be some reason they are used in golf carts.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Most efficient Battery Bank Help!

Don't forget a weight penalty - the 6v weighs 113# each ...

 

[tommays]

Re: Most efficient Battery Bank Help!

Banks of 6 volt batteys are very common in heavy duty use were money is not the biggest factor

Tommays

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Most efficient Battery Bank Help!

Two six volt batteries in "parallel" as you mentioned does not make 12 volts. Two batteries in "series" does that. Batteries in parallel double the AH capacity but the voltage remains the same. Batteries in series doubles the voltage, but AH capacity remains the same.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Most efficient Battery Bank Help!

[colour=blue]I currently run 6 x 6v flooded golfcart batts. Seriesed (is that a real word?) in pairs and then parralled. Generally speaking, 6 volters are constructed more heavily and can take a bit more punishment than 12 volters - both in cycles and vibration.

Highly reccomended!