Community Forums

GENECOP · 07-08-2010, 06:08 AM

I have been reading thread after thread, the battery info out there is vast, and confusing. My questions are simple
1-How many batteries do you have? (TYPE)
2-After your batteries are fully charged, running one TV and a couple of low lights, how many hours do you last before having to recharge the batteries?

I am trying to find out how my system preforms compared to others, lets face it, beyond all the technical stuff, the bottom line is performance, for me that translates to how many hours i can live in my Rig without recharging the batteries. If we start with fully charged batteries, we get about 5- 6 hours of television and lights, including low level draws like toilets, Propane Heat, etc..., thanks Gene.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-08-2010, 07:13 AM

You hit on the problem, Genecop. Everybody's usage is different, and everybody's battery size & condition is different. There is no answer to your question.

And you started out saying just a tv and a couple of lights, but then threw in propane heat, which is far from a "low level draw". The furnace fan is a major power draw.

I run 4 x Trojan Group 31 AGMs for a total of 480 AH. I can run an evening and overnight with my usual power draws, i.e. lights, tv & satellite receiver, water pump, fridge, and the inverter running for the computer and clocks. Will beat 40-50% charge the next morning.

chasfm11 · 07-08-2010, 07:22 AM

The other problem is the age of the batteries. Here is Texas, we rarely get normal lead-acid batteries to last beyond 4 years. I don't know whether it is the temperature swings or what but I struggle with batteries in all of my vehicles after the 4 year mark. What I got out of the performance of my MH house batteries when they were brand new versus those same batteries 4 years later (and I do have a 3 stage charger and monitor the water levels) is not the same.

I guess running a TV off the batteries (we don't) would also vary by the type of TV. Some of the newer ones seem to be power hogs but may that is must my mis-perception

RV Wizard · 07-09-2010, 02:39 AM

My 8 year old Interstate U2200 6 volts (4 of them) have served me well. They are not as strong as they once were, but when new and for 7 years, would run lights, TV, Satellite receiver, refrigerator, inverter feeding 2 ice makers (1 freestanding U-Line), Norcold 110# refrigerator and 2 pots of coffee and 30 minutes of microwave for 19 maybe 20 hours. Capacity would be at 50%. The next morning it would take 4-5 hours on generator to recharge the bank. We did this on occasion when boon docking the infield of NASCAR races. I would equalize the bank a couple of times a year (usually just before the races). Had to add water a few times in the 8 years otherwise they have been trouble free.

62Morgan · 07-09-2010, 08:45 AM

Aside from discussion note:

to chasfm11,

It's sulfate buildup that renders old age to batteries; but it's preventable. Do a google for it and you will see solutions from "equalization" procedures to in-line chargers that will "spike" the plates at regular intervals.

"Lead sulfate (PbSO4) is created at both the positive and negative electrode plates during a discharge. In principle, during the charging period, 100% of the lead sulfate transforms to the positive plate (lead dioxide), the negative plate (lead) and sulfuric acid. However, in real life, when PbSO4 (lead sulfate) is left in the battery for a period of time, it crystallizes and becomes a hard sulfate that coats the surface of the electrode plates. This phenomenon is called sulfation. Because hard lead sulfate is a non-conductive material, when it coats the electrode plates, it causes a reduction in the area needed for the electro-chemical reactions. It also reduces the batteries' active materials needed to maintain a high capacity. " Credit to :"http://www.boatelectric.com/sulfation.htm"