Posted 2011-03-20 8:04 AM (#131866) Subject: Batteries
Member
Posts: 35 Location: Pardeeville, WI
I need 2 new batteries for my trailer, larger size. I am wondering what brands are the best for "more power" lasting and such. I cant afford the gels at this time. I went to camping world but the guy did not know much about them at all. I am also wondering how do I find out if my truck charges the trailer while driving down the road? Thanks!!
The Trojan's are reasonably priced and can take a lot of use and abuse.
As for charging from your truck, it may do it but not well and will reduce the lifespan of your batteries. The best way to charge is with a quality 3-stage charger, not the one you would fix a dead car battery with.
Posted 2011-03-20 11:00 AM (#131879 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I've used Autozone's marine deep cycle batteries for several years in my boats and LQs. They last and have provided dependable service. For the money, I'm well pleased. The worst batteries I've used were Sear's best.
Posted 2011-03-20 9:55 PM (#131901 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
If there are permanent or transient loads on the battery during charging, a two-stage charger has the advantage because its circuits cannot be “fooled” into pushing a higher “absorption" voltage than required for charging.
Without loads during charging, the three-stage charger has the advantage because it provides a more complete recharge. A two-stage charger provides a constant current until the battery reaches its rated capacity and then switches to a “float” voltage. The current then reduces as necessary to maintain the battery at the float voltage. The charger can be connected to the battery indefinitely. A two-stage charger is recommended in most instances since it is the most versatile and can be permanently connected to attenuate the characteristic discharge of unused batteries. A load can be put on the battery or batteries without altering its ability to keep the battery at optimal charge.
A three-stage charger is the most complete charger. It charges the battery at a constant current until the battery voltage reaches a slightly elevated level. The battery is maintained at this voltage while the charging current diminishes to a low value, and then the battery is switched to the float voltage where it can be maintained indefinitely. However, the charger cannot differentiate between a current going to a load on the battery, or being absorbed by the battery, so it can overcharge a battery supplying current to a load. A two-stage charger is preferred for “loaded” batteries and a three-stage for idle or “unloaded” batteries during recharging.
Posted 2011-03-21 8:57 AM (#131913 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Veteran
Posts: 114 Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas
Hi Paul -
I like your description of 2 vs 3 stage chargers but I would disagree that a 3 Stage charges would be fooled by loads.
I say this because I live off the grid with a large solar array ( 2000 + Watts of panels and large battery bank) and charge and load batteries everyday and I have never seen either my gear from Outback or Xantrex overcharge a battery based upon load or be fooled into thinking a battery was discharged because of a load based voltage drop.
Can you show an example of this ?
I could understand if a low priced / automotive focused system may not have the ability to react to voltage changes but any solid 3 stage charger should not be fooled by a simple load. If it is caused by poor quality gear I would just steer clear of it.
Posted 2011-03-21 10:42 AM (#131917 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
A three-stage charger is the most complete charger available today, cycling through bulk, absorption, and float modes. The bulk mode charges the battery at a constant current (amperage) until the battery voltage reaches a certain level. By reaching this voltage level, the charger knows the battery is roughly 70-80% full, and then switches to the next mode. Here is where things start to deviate:
On a 3 stage charger, it switches to Absorbtion.
On a 2 stage charger, it switches to Float.
So let's assume you have a 3 stage charger and it flips into Absorption mode. The absorption mode maintains the elevated voltage from the bulk phase, but adjusts the current, or amperage, throughout the phase. As the battery charge level approaches capacity, the current approaches 0. When under load, this reading can be greatly affected by the load behind the battery, not the battery itself, leading to an overcharge situation. The problem is especially present in precision model battery chargers. Precision three stage battery chargers measure this decreasing current closer to the zero mark than do the cheaper models. The precision in reading the absorption phase can dictate cost, and also pick up loads on the battery that the cheaper models would miss. Therefore a more expensive 3 stage charger will actually cook batteries more often when under load. Finally, after finishing the battery in absorption mode, the three stage charger switches to float mode to counteract the self discharge of the battery. The float voltage is roughly identical to that of the fully charged battery.
On the other hand, a two stage battery charger will bulk fill to roughly 90% and then flip directly to float mode. Float voltage allows a battery to be maintained indefinitely. Due to this ease, and lack of damage to the systems around it, a two-stage charger is usually preferred for "loaded" batteries. On the other hand, a three-stage charger is best for idle or "unloaded" battery charging.
Posted 2011-03-26 10:10 AM (#132161 - in reply to #131879) Subject: RE: Batteries
Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS"
Originally written by gard on 2011-03-20 11:00 AM
I've used Autozone's marine deep cycle batteries for several years in my boats and LQs. They last and have provided dependable service. For the money, I'm well pleased. The worst batteries I've used were Sear's best.
Gard, are you refering to the Duralast lead cell or Gel batteries at Autozone. I have Mullet Manufacturing, Mighty Bruin batteries now and have not been able get them to keep a charge, even brand new.
Posted 2011-03-26 9:28 PM (#132178 - in reply to #132161) Subject: RE: Batteries
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Paracadista on 2011-03-26 10:10 AM
Originally written by gard on 2011-03-20 11:00 AM
I've used Autozone's marine deep cycle batteries for several years in my boats and LQs. They last and have provided dependable service. For the money, I'm well pleased. The worst batteries I've used were Sear's best.
Gard, are you refering to the Duralast lead cell or Gel batteries at Autozone. I have Mullet Manufacturing, Mighty Bruin batteries now and have not been able get them to keep a charge, even brand new.
So which country is the origin of manufacture for Bruin Batteries?
Posted 2011-03-27 9:57 AM (#132201 - in reply to #132161) Subject: RE: Batteries
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I've used Autozone's marine deep cycle batteries for several years in my boats and LQs. They last and have provided dependable service. For the money, I'm well pleased. The worst batteries I've used were Sear's best.
Gard, are you refering to the Duralast lead cell or Gel batteries at Autozone. I have Mullet Manufacturing, Mighty Bruin batteries now and have not been able get them to keep a charge, even brand new.
I use the wet cell, lead acid batteries. Even in my boats, where they endure a great deal of pounding, especially when trailering, they have not failed. My present set of batteries will be four years old this summer, and as of yesterday, they still maintained a full charge.
Posted 2011-03-27 4:58 PM (#132219 - in reply to #132201) Subject: RE: Batteries
Location: centrally located amongst the "NUTS"
Originally written by gard on 2011-03-27 9:57 AM
I've used Autozone's marine deep cycle batteries for several years in my boats and LQs. They last and have provided dependable service. For the money, I'm well pleased. The worst batteries I've used were Sear's best.
Gard, are you refering to the Duralast lead cell or Gel batteries at Autozone. I have Mullet Manufacturing, Mighty Bruin batteries now and have not been able get them to keep a charge, even brand new.
I use the wet cell, lead acid batteries. Even in my boats, where they endure a great deal of pounding, especially when trailering, they have not failed. My present set of batteries will be four years old this summer, and as of yesterday, they still maintained a full charge.
Posted 2011-04-19 2:12 PM (#133184 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Replaced our LQ trailer batteries in December with a pair of the Autozone deep cycle marine. Have been primitive camped several times since and they have charged and worked great. Used them for the furnace this past weekend.
Posted 2011-04-19 2:22 PM (#133186 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Regular
Posts: 59 Location: Gaylord, Kansas
very novice to this battery thing,,,, are these batteries any particular model number? or are they just called autozone deep cycle rv/marine? thank you,,,,
Posted 2011-04-19 2:23 PM (#133187 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Member
Posts: 47 Location: New Salem, ND
have had multiple campers and LQ trialers and would not use anything other than a deep cycle battery. we have 2 of the larger size charged all the time and never have run out of battery power.
But if you are running a furnace for the whole weekend, I would suggest a generator too...
Posted 2011-04-19 2:31 PM (#133189 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Regular
Posts: 59 Location: Gaylord, Kansas
I understand need to use deep cycle,, was curious of the batteries you spoke of having,,, the autozone deep cycle marine,rv is this what I would ask for, or is there a model number,, thanks
Posted 2011-04-19 2:36 PM (#133190 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Yes just go in and tell them you want the Deep Cycle Marine/RV battery. Tell them it is to power the living quarter part of your trailer. And yes Dallyup I had a generator to charge the batteries back up but previous batteries would not recharge and hold after running the furnace, hence the new batteries.
Posted 2011-04-19 4:53 PM (#133201 - in reply to #131866) Subject: RE: Batteries
Veteran
Posts: 114 Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas
If you are going the Trojan route you will need two of the 105's as they are 6 volt batteries, Trojan does make a 12V but I like 2 6V for a better balance of the load
Batteries
