Are 8V batteries useful?

[Spaceman Spiff]

My batteries are in my living space but it is not heated all day when I am gone, only when I am inside.  FLA can be charged in lower temperatures than I am willing to be in.

 

[John61CT]

But on the other hand, I might be able to use a generator as you suggest once a week, maybe a few times, to top off the charge.

Nope, trailing amps with lead means get to full needs solar or mains overnight.

Just crazy to burn dino juice 5-7 hours when all but the first is single-digit amps.

Genny runtime should likely stop at 80-85% SoC

Depends on variables, ideally an hour or two at most.

But judgement call really, once you're consciously PSOC abusing, just run it when convenient.

Gotta try to avoid drawing too deep that's for sure.

Firefly Oasis may be worth considering if you get to mains a few times a month.

Final wild idea: small LFP bank run genny a couple hours, Sterling BB DCDC charger used to top up the long lead tail 5+ hours powered from the LFP.

Prolly not worth the expense and complexity, but cool thought experiment.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

Well, I got myself 2x 6V 220Ah golf cart batteries.  I may be getting ahead of myself, but I need to have a good understanding of how well this will all work for me before I commit 100%.

A, hopefully, easy question: I already have a cheap battery charger. Am I likely to damage there batteries by using this to charge them for the next couple months?  I mean, it -is- a battery charger. How bad could it be?

The only load right now is a 12V fridge.

Charger is similar to this but older model:

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/century-87121c-battery-charger/6000197876707

 

[Canine]

I mean, it -is- a battery charger. How bad could it be?

If you want your expensive batteries to last, they need to be charged properly by going through bulk, acceptance, and finally float. This is especially important if your batteries are AGM. This charger does not do that. Also, you want to be able to equalize them at the proper intervals, and this battery charger looks like it can't do that. Maybe it can, I'd have to look. Also, a temperature sensor is a must. You will easily save $30 worth of battery by using a remote temp sensor.

Will it charge the batteries? Yes. Will it do a proper job? Nope. Places like Battery University can help you understand how battery charging works.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

The batteries are US Battery 2200 XC2

FLA, not AGM.

http://usbattery.com/products/6-volt-batteries/us-2200-xc2-lf/

 

[John61CT]

1. Voltage output must be in the mfg spec range.

2. Amps output must be enough to get the bank to 100% Full as often as possible. Need an ammeter to check.

3. Most cheap chargers you must manually regulate the required stages, too long at Absorb is less harmful than not long enough, but really you want to catch it within a 1-2 hour window.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

Ok, decent charger has been moved up on my shopping list.

Until then I'll try to use what I have intelligently.

Thanks