Posted 2008-10-13 9:23 AM (#92967) Subject: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: paradise, TX
Hello,
I hope someone here can point me to a good how to website...or give me some instructions.
I have a tiny little living qtrs and just want to be able to run my little fridge, coffee maker and maybe an interior light for a weekend trip...at a place that doesn't allow generators.
I believe I can do this with just a deep cycle battery. My questions is...how much battery do I need? (a 12V deep cycle of course...but how many AH should I need...and what size/wattage inverter? All of my LQ stuff naturally goes to a standard RV plug. Do they have inverters that work for my RV plug? Or do I need to separate the 110 stuff off for my fridge etc.?
Forgive my ignorance...I'm a biologist not an electrician. ;)
I just want a simple battery set up for the occasions like this when all I need is power for a few small things. I just want to do is safely and effectively the first time.
Posted 2008-10-13 10:25 AM (#92971 - in reply to #92967) Subject: RE: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Kwinter...
First, unless you have 100 pounds of batteries, you can forget the home style coffee maker and likely the dorm fridge. Both are large consumers of power. Large amounts of power short and long term respectively. You would be better served to have a couple of 12 volt lights. Possibly perhaps a small 12 volt coffee maker and fridge. the key word here is small. Then your system doesn't have the added load of the inverter.
A camp stove and an Ice chest will serve your needs over a week-end at less $$. You will still have to charge the battery at home.
Posted 2008-10-13 11:55 AM (#92981 - in reply to #92967) Subject: RE: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Okla City, Okla
Is this an existing LQ or are you wanting to add these items? If so, what power source is it now using? What size is you fridge and is it 1 way-2way or 3way? Is this a horse trailer or RV? With some additional details we can advise you on what to do.
Posted 2008-10-13 2:57 PM (#92993 - in reply to #92967) Subject: RE: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
SLA/AGM....Sealed Lead Acid/Absorbant Glass Mat, no spill.... The electrolyte is suspended in layers of fiberglass sheets so when it tips over, it won't flow out of the vent. I do believe that it you were to turn one up on it's side for several months, it would eventually seep a little acid out of the vent. They have a tiny vent on one of the upper corners. I had on to go bad, when you would hook the charger up it would whistle like an old tea kettle. I guess it was from a cell "boiling".
Posted 2008-10-13 7:39 PM (#93009 - in reply to #92967) Subject: RE: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
Have you considered a generator? You can use a generator to run your coffee maker. My LQ has 2 deep cell batteries which run the lights and furnace, which heats with propane. The fridge is propane or can be electric (AC) . The battery won't run the fridge. I take a generator along to recharge the batteries every day. When the generator is running, you can run a small microwave or a coffee maker. I have a Honda 3000eui but I'd recommend the 2000 if you want to be able to lift it easily! The Honda 3000 probably weighs 140 lbs with gas. It is great and can run the A/C in my trailer, but is is heavy. The Honda 2000Eui is only about 35 or 40 lbs. You can also take a long a little radiant heater and run that off the generator for a bit to warm up your living space in the morning or evening before you go to bed. (radiant heaters look like old style radiators and only cost about $40)
Posted 2008-10-13 11:27 PM (#93019 - in reply to #92967) Subject: RE: Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
Member
Posts: 22
Location: West virginia
Here is a good article on 12 volt systems helped me out ,on my system i used 6 volt golfcart batteries they have more amp hours per battery and thats what you are looking for .be sure you follow the wiring diagrams on series/parallel wiring hope this helps out.http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
Deep cycle battery set up? How to?
