Battery Question

[MicroOutlawRacer]

I need some new batteries in my horse trailer (space for 2 batts). What I am wondering is if 2 6v golf cart batts in series will hold more power and charge faster then 2 Optima batts? I will usually run my generator for an hour or so a day now with one bat. and would like to be able to run the trailer for 2-3 days off batts. no generator. I usually run a tv, lights, fantastic fan and water pump off of the batts when needed.

Thanks

David

 

[DavidC]

I use the golf cart batteries from Sams Club. Generally they have more amp hour. I do not think the charge time if they are at the same discharge level would change (single 12 vs 2 6v) but usually the golf carts can run longer if comparison of load is the same between the two systems.



Dave

 

[DieselMinded]

Heres all kind of batteries that may work Click For Spec's



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DM



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[RGRAT1618]

I work in a battery store(manager) I really good set-up is 2 trogan t-105's in series. great run time and good recharge times.



Rob

 

[RNixon]

A pair of golf cart batteries have worked extremely well for me in a 30' fifth wheel. Mine are 240 amp-hour. It's hard to get much more than that. To get good life from the batteries, you really need a good three-stage charger. I replaced the stock converter/charger in the fiver with a Progressive Dynamics unit with the add-on Charge Wizard smart charger. I keep the charger plugged in all the time so it float-charges the battery and prevents sulfation. HIGHLY recommended. Standard chargers nearly always over-charge and greatly shorten battery life.

 

[Loren]

... would like to be able to run the trailer for 2-3 days off batts. no generator. I usually run a tv, lights, fantastic fan and water pump off of the batts when needed.

Thanks

David

David,



I would think that two golf cart batteries would have more capacity than the two Optimas that I run in my RV. We camped with no power for two or three days and ran the furnace (with its blower) a lot during that time. We also used the water pump and lights. Our TV will not run on DC, so we didn't use that. Those batteries handled 2-3 days of this treatment without a complaint. I'm sure that the golf cart batteries will do the job for you.



As far as charging is concerned, I agree with RNixon that you need a top-notch charger. The Progressive Dynamics with Charge Wizard is about the best you can get, but they're pricy. I don't have one, so I keep my batteries charged with a regular battery charger. Mine's made by Vector and has circuitry to avoid overcharging. I like the Vector chargers, but if you can afford it, the Progressive Dynamics on-board charger/converter is the way to go.



Loren

 

[K5IP]

Two golf cart batteries in series are typicaly 210 to 230 amp hours at a 70A discharge rate



Two optimas, connected in parallel will provide about 120 AH.



So the golf cart batteries win by about a factor of two.