traction bateries

[syncrosimon]

I have gone the other way, cheap batteries and an expensive Sterling charger.
http://www.sterling-power.com/products-altbatt.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Sterling unit manipulates the output of the standard Bosch 90 amp alternator by varying the voltage in the field windings. By doing this it can choose the amps it wants. The in board amplifying then ups the voltage to the 3 stage charging rate, ie 14.7v fast, 13.6v float. It also works as a split charge system and so looks after the starter batt.

I have 2x 75amp/hr exide leisure bats at 40 quid each.

I like the look of those Trojan batts, but cant find any tech info on them.

So far my two leisure batts have not minded having 100 amps at 14.7 volts going into them. Sure charges them quick.

Simon.

[kevtherev]

Kev

Ive got my Trojan's in the van now. I have hooked them up to the feed the split relay charger provides for recharging.

However, are you saying that I should disconnect them from this feed and use them solo and just recharge when getting a chance using 240V pick up and re-charge using my Lidl 3-stage charger?

No harm in hooking them up to the alt...
However, personally I would only use the lidl.
I would be interested in just how they react to Van usage without the alt... there's no info here about that.
I'll be fitting mine soon and I plan to not use the alternator.

[nesty]

I might put a Manual cut of switch inline. Then I can choose when to have Altenator charge when I choose.

I suppose the Trojans are designed to go on & on without a charge put in. How do golf buggy's cope. Do they get plug in every so often for charge?

[kevtherev]

after a day on the course I would imagine they have a night on the charger..
your traction battery won't be tugging a load of fat blokes with a sets of clubs for 20 odd miles a day though.

that's why they are so attractive, as you'll be so under using them, they'll just go on and on.

[Louey]

Kev, I think a pair of these would suit me nicely - and good timing too as I'm on the electrics stage of the interior.

I was going to get two 110amp leisures and a Zig unit, but read that Zigs don't charge too well.

[nesty]

OK I haven't fully load tested yet. However this should give you an early idea of what these batteries can deliver. I have a 100ah Leisure battery and 2 Trojans wired up in series for 12V. Gives me 650ah I worked out!

I played my stereo (I have a JBL 400rms Amp) with the engine off for 45 mins. I kept an eye on the voltmeter gauge. It didn't shift from 12.8 V!

Look at Cov kid battery voltmeter video below and see how quickly a stereo can drive down a Leisure battery!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTM_lHC- ... g0eWQBaGz0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nesty]

after a day on the course I would imagine they have a night on the charger..
your traction battery won't be tugging a load of fat blokes with a sets of clubs for 20 odd miles a day though.

that's why they are so attractive, as you'll be so under using them, they'll just go on and on.

I hope so Kev. I leave on Monday for Scotland & I will be vastly using the Trojans. I hard wired my inverter onto the Trojans today, so can use mains appliances. The Trojans will get use! I'll report back how they did on the tour!

[kevtherev]

bump

it seems these are working well for Nesty

[nesty]

Indeedy Kev.

There is no way I could keep up the power draw on this tour without the Trojans. The further north I'm going the more I am having to draw on the propex.

Though no worries!

[syncrosimon]

are you charging them, or just single using them?

Get a sterling charger and you will be sorted.

[jamesc76]

OK I haven't fully load tested yet. However this should give you an early idea of what these batteries can deliver. I have a 100ah Leisure battery and 2 Trojans wired up in series for 12V. Gives me 650ah I worked out!

I played my stereo (I have a JBL 400rms Amp) with the engine off for 45 mins. I kept an eye on the voltmeter gauge. It didn't shift from 12.8 V!

Look at Cov kid battery voltmeter video below and see how quickly a stereo can drive down a Leisure battery!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTM_lHC- ... g0eWQBaGz0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you mix battery's they will all be the same amp's as the lowest!!! so you could have massive trojan ones but they will only take the same amount of charge etc as the 100amp one!

[nesty]

The battery's are not strictly mixed. The Elecsol and the Trojans each have their own circuit for charging and output!

You can bet, if I took the Trojans offline the Elecsol ampage would start diving like mad.

[Louey]

You've gone for 2 x 6v batteries. Would it not make more sense to just install a single 12v traction battery - or am I missing some fundamental issue, its electrics so I wouldn't be surprised

[nesty]

You've gone for 2 x 6v batteries. Would it not make more sense to just install a single 12v traction battery - or am I missing some fundamental issue, its electrics so I wouldn't be surprised

Well the single 12v traction from Trojan is about £400 and 1/2 the power and double the price of 2x6 Trojans.

You could do semi traction, but the biggest Varta battery is 226ah about half the power and twice the size of the 2 trojans!

[Louey]

Kev, Nesty?? Any chance of an update on these batteries please??? I'm nearing the stage where I have to fit my batteries.

Any good, how long roughly do they last without charge and what where they being used to run (lights, water pumps, stereo, toilet flush, invertors, ebers/proprex).

Also, who has found the cheapest stockist?

Thanks