Golf cart batteries new at Sam's club

[Ozz]

I think they are new, new to me. They now have Energizer 225 A.H., I just bought 4 of them. (Used to be Trojans)
I asked about the warranty, they said they go by the reciept, if you don't have it, the battery date stamp, these were fresh. BUT... you can just have Sam's look up your purchase, it's all on the computer.
In K.C. $72.63 each, core charge $9.00, a wash if you bring in batteries to trade.
I was going to go with AGM, but the added cost was not worth the advantage, also Sam's are everywhere. Shipping to me would have been $60.00 or so on top of the cost.

[bncinwv]

Ozz (still the VP of the MOC Mod Club!! Hee Hee!!) or other MOC Advisory Panel Members (defined as anyone who is a member of the MOC!!),

Does the normal converter/charger in the rigs work okay with these types of batteries? Wonder if there is any drawback to having one bank (two) of the 6v batteries (12v) in conjunction with the normal wet cell that comes in the rig??? More specifically, since I would think the two banks would have different charge/recharge times, wonder if damage can be done?? Still thinking along the lines of the marine switch (isolator) that we discussed earlier. Any thoughts, concerns, advice??

Bingo

[jpbcny]

Ozz, I bought 2 of the same Energizer 225 A.H. batteries at Sam's in the spring of 2009, at the time they were $65 apiece, with a $5 core charge (Here in NY), they have been great! I just check them a couple of times a year for water level (Have only used distilled water to top off), if you're "Boondocking" its the only way to go...

Here's a link to a post I made showing the batteries in My Homemade Battery Box in 2009: 12 Volt Improvements

JP

[Ozz]

Bingo, I pulled the 12 volt, just the 6 volts hooked up to deliver 12 volts now.
I did some shopping today, love to spend that get-ready money, makes the departure date seem closer.
JP, I had two, now am moving up to 4, made 1/2 of the battery box yesterday. I'm glad you gave a durability report, I know the Trojan's were good, didn't know about the new ones, but 'The Energizer Bunny' shouldn't seer us wrong
Bingo, I think I have a charger that is up to the job, it is a 3 stage, But I am installing my Trace/Xantrex Inverter charger, it has a good charger as well. I haven't figured what I am going to do as far as the charging, maybe an A-B switch so I can toggle between chargers, haven't given it any thought to date.
But, I do think that any of our newer chargers should work. The batteries are actually one mass, one bank of batteries. Just hooked together. I figure it will be 225x4 or 900 AH, but there is that 80% deal, can't use all of it's capacity. Someone correct me if I am wrong on that.

[bncinwv]

I guess the real gist of my question is whether I can leave the 12V in, add a bank of golf cart batteries and have the two co-exist via the isolator switch?? Worst case, I can do like you and pull the 12v, but that is troublesome to me since it is brand new.
Bingo

[Ozz]

With the right isolator switch and charging system, I don't see why not.
Many boats have a starting battery and an auxillary battery with isolation wiring. You may even have that on your Bayliner. (It is a Bay isn't it?)

[bncinwv]

Yes on the Bayliner, and that is how I am hoping to wire up the two banks in the rig as well. Guess I will be the guinea pig again!!!
Bingo

[Ozz]

We like it when someone trail-blazes for us

here ya go:
http://www.boatfix.com/how/Ele2.html

[mhs4771]

OK, I keep reading all the pros & cons concerning, multiple 12V or multiple 6V systems. I learned years ago in a BE&E class that if trying to achive 12 volts, connecting multiple 12V sources in parallel increases the amperage while keeping the voltage at 12. If two 6 volts sources are connected in series the voltage doubles to 12 volts, but the current is only equal to half of the sum of the two sources. So I guess my question: Is it the really the 6 volts batteries, or more the design of the Golf Cart batteries vs Automotive or Deep Cycle 12V?

[Ozz]

Michelle, you are a smart lady, check out this, one and two:
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

[mhs4771]

Thanks Ozz, I think I had run across that before.
So what it comes down too, is that two 6V Golf Cart Bats in parallel or two 12V Group 27 Deep Cycle in series will yeild about the same results in output: 180-220 AH for the 6V Golf Cart Bats vs 170-210 AH for the 12V Deep Cycle. It does look like the life expentency of the Golf Cart batteries may be longer makeing them the better choice in the long run.

[Illini Trekker]

Bought two from Sams about a year ago now. Ozz how long do you think the four batterys will last say no heat just light, frig, water heater, water pump. I guess boon docking in the summer? We went four days this summer with two 6 volt's and never moved the battery meter.

[Ozz]

Yes, because of the thicker plates, they would give more cycles before breaking down, as I understand it.
I am cloudy on the AH, wouldn't you get the sum of each battery, 2 220=440?
If you had 4 220AH, you wouldn't get only 220 would you?
How about 12? (I had 12 in my home for back-up Inverter power with a Trace 2412 Inverter.)
I ain't real good at 'cyphering...

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by Illini Trekker

Bought two from Sams about a year ago now. Ozz how long do you think the four batterys will last say no heat just light, frig, water heater, water pump. I guess boon docking in the summer? We went four days this summer with two 6 volt's and never moved the battery meter.

The 12 6 volt Trojans I had in my home lasted for 10 years, finally had to replace 2 of them.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by Illini Trekker

Bought two from Sams about a year ago now. Ozz how long do you think the four batterys will last say no heat just light, frig, water heater, water pump. I guess boon docking in the summer? We went four days this summer with two 6 volt's and never moved the battery meter.

Oh, I understand now. Calculate the total amps consumed, and figure the batteries at 60-70% (Check out that link 12 volt side of life, 1 and 2.

[mhs4771]

We're back to the old saying "You can't get something for nothing" You have to double the 6 volts to get 12 thus you can't double the amps, but you may still get some benefit. With the 12s you don't have to double the voltage, so you get double the amps. Basic theory. It sounds as tho may of the so called Deep Cycle probably not true Deep Cycle which would mean they would not hold up as long as the Golf Cart bats that are designed for prolonged usage under a fairly heavy load.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

We're back to the old saying "You can't get something for nothing" You have to double the 6 volts to get 12 thus you can't double the amps, but you may still get some benefit. With the 12s you don't have to double the voltage, so you get double the amps. Basic theory. It sounds as tho may of the so called Deep Cycle probably not true Deep Cycle which would mean they would not hold up as long as the Golf Cart bats that are designed for prolonged usage under a fairly heavy load.

I meant how many AH would 12 GC battery's yeild if two only retain the 225? I guess it would be 6x220, or 1320 AH
Makes sense I guess.
The so-called Deep cycle you refered to are probably dual purpose, starting and deep cycle, the Optima batteries are that way. Optima does not have a true deep cycle.

[2 for Him]

A simpler way to put it is :
Series circuit- voltages add amperages do not
parallel cicuit- amperages add voltages do not

4 225 amp six volts have to be hooked up as two series circuits in parallel ( that's clear as mud ain't it?), so you only get 450 amps of 12 volt current.
Then we can get into the problem of balancing the wiring lengths if you are really OCD.
One thing I have noticed is my Interstate 6 volts charge much faster than my 2 12 volts did. I know it's not supposed to be that way, but nothing works the same as it looks on paper.
I hope to meet you some day Ozz, we're cut from the same cloth, I can't keep my hands off anything either.
Tom

[Ozz]

Tom, where are you two now?
We will be hitting the road in 7 month's if not sooner,(and 21 days, 4 hrs 15 minutes and 26 seconds...) we plan on going West....somewhere probably Arizona, New Mexico for a while, haven't been to Utah yet, so that is on the agenda. Have you guys made it to Utah yet?

[padredw]

Ozz, I know you didn't ask me, but I presume to share with you the fact that we have found Utah to be a most scenic state.

Just over a year ago we visited there again and included Bryce Canyon NP, Capitol Reef NP, and Arches NP. Had very nice RV parks and one of the most beautiful road trips we've ever taken (Utah 12)

Here are some photos we took along that road:

http://dw4u.net/Uroad/Uroad.html