Batteries for dummies

[Roniit]

<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've read a lot of the posts here, and a lot of the articles on the main site and I'm still having trouble with batteries. &nbsp;</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I know I need these items:</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-8d AGM battery at 255 AH (I can always add a second one)</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-A size 4 cable - from alternator to battery</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-battery selector switch</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Smart Charger (</span></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">three stage chargers) for charging on land.&nbsp;</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-Upgraded alternator??</span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS; min-height: 25.0px"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 26.0px; font: 18.0px Comic Sans MS"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our van is a 2002 GMC Savana 3500.&nbsp; Can anyone help me figure out where to get these items and what brands would be best?&nbsp; It's mostly for charging laptop batteries, an electric blanket, and ocassionally microwaving something so I don't need a ton of power. &nbsp;</span></font></p>

 

[blars]

IIRC an 8D is over 100 lbs, you may want to consider a pair of 6v golf-cart batteries instead.&nbsp; (60 lbs each for 220ah.)&nbsp; AGM is more expensive but doesn't need the maintance of normal lead-acid.<br><br>For wire, the further the run the bigger (lower number) you need.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you need it to flex, get welding cable, otherwise you can just go to Home Depot.&nbsp; (You need copper, not aluminum.)&nbsp; <br><br><br>

 

[Vanimal]

I agree two 6 volt batteries wired in series would be better. 6 volt batteries are cheaper, last longer and handle charging and discharging better. The deeper you cycle a battery the shorter the battery will last. Then wire the two "house" batteries in parallel with your car battery with a battery isolater between the house battery and the car battery. An isolator is an eletric switch that will connect the house and car batteries when the ignition is on and disconnect them when its off. This way if you drain your house battery your car will still start. Also if your car battery goes dead you can turn on the ignition and still start your van. If there is enough power to throw the switch that is.<div><br></div><div>Wiring in series=Voltage doubles, amps stay the same</div><div>Wiring in parallel=Voltage stays the same, amps double</div>

 

[akrvbob]

I also agree you want two 6 volt batteries like Blars said. An 8d weighs 120 lbs and is extremely difficult to move around. Interstate is a very good brand name with dealers everywhere. Finding 6 volt AGM will be a little harder so look in hte yellow pages under "Batteries." The battery store will have or make the cables for you. Vector and Black and Decker make very good smart chargers.<br><br>Don't bother with a larger alternator. What happens is your voltage regulator reads the voltage of your starting battery which will be full nearly all the time. When the starting battery is full, the voltage regulator will cut back on the charge or the starting battery will be burned up. The house battery will siphon off the starting battery and whn it gets low the voltage regulator will let more juice through. A bigger alternator will just be a waste. Bob <br><br>

 

[4x4tour]

You probably have a 105 amp alternator. &nbsp;CS series GM alternators are a PITA with isolators, i.e. &nbsp;This is the one you'd need with your current alternator, BUT, using this kind of isolator may result in your charging light coming on at idle, with headlights and accessories on. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.ase-supply.com/Sure_Power_12023A_Battery_Isolator_p/sp-12023a.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ase-supply.com/Sure_Power_12023A_Battery_Isolator_p/sp-12023a.htm</a><br><div><br></div><div>Personally, I don't use this type of isolator, as they run hot and use too much available energy to function, it doesn't warn you when it stops working, and you can't use it to jump the starting battery, if needed...&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Also, stay away from the Surepower 1314 type relays, as they are unreliable and also use too much energy to work, as well.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Research my posts on the Blue Sea 7622 Relay. &nbsp;It's the only one I'd use, but, we all have our opinions. &nbsp;You also wouldn't have to mess with the tapping into the "sense" wire connection on the alternator, which is the whole problem with the alternator having low voltage at the main fuse block. &nbsp;when using the above mentioned 12023 isolator with a CS charging system. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Remember, if you have the 105 amp alternator, you should get an isolator of equal to greater amperage ratings. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>AJ</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></div>

 

[Roniit]

Okay, thank you everyone this is super helpful!! Does anyone known how many hours of driving it takes to fully charge these batterys from 50% - 100% (assuming I never go below 50% charge).&nbsp; Also does anyone know how many hours plugging into someones house power it would take to charge these and what brand charger I should get for 2 6v batteries??<br><br><br>

 

[Les H]

Hey Ronlit, by bus ( avitar pic) is a 2000 gmc 3500. I'm not sure if it has a larger alternator than stock or not. While I can't necessarily say what would be better or worse for someone, this is my setup...
2- 125 ah walmart group 29 marine/ Rv batteries, one under the hood as a starting battery, one is the house battery, charged through # 4 copper wire , protected by a 40 amp automotive circuit breaker with a manual cut off switch. When I am driving, I can charge both batteries, or just the starting battery. I also have one of the 45w harbor freight solar panel kits, with the panels stored inside untill I need them or am parked long enough. I have a 400w power inverter and a 1200 w inverter for higher demand items. I also now have an 1850 w Coleman generator.
Please keep in mind, I am not a full timer, and my van serves a dual purpose,
It is my heavy duty work van as well as my " vandwelling" so everything except the cabinets folds up, comes out or otherwise gets stowed when needed.
Les

 

[Vern M]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Trouble with six volt batteries in series is that if one gets weak, the system is weak. Twelves parallel are a less vulnerable system. And my solar system in the "house" of the van is separate from the engine electric so one can't kill the other and is in reserve for starting should be needed.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Do you know there is a three-way carburator for Honda generators at <a href="http://www.generatorsales.com" target=_blank>www.generatorsales.com</a>? Gasoline, propane or natural gas at the flip of a switch and no alteration other than unscrew existing carburator and change.</p>

 

[Roniit]

<P>Do I need to get some sort of power inverter thing once I have the battery system in place?&nbsp; What I mean is... how do I actually plug things in???</P>

 

[Les H]

Well, yes an no. You can get almost anything in 12v DC ( your car voltage),and a lot of battery powered items can be used with a dc to dc converter. Radio shack sells a CONVERTER that plugs in to your lighter or power port and puts out 3, 4.5, 6, and 9 volts, which will run most small battery powered electric/ electronic items. One of the reasons that O2 cool fans are so popular is that they run on 8d batteries, 12v dc , or plug in to 110 v ac with a transformer.
An INVERTER changes 12 v dc( car) to 110v AC ( house) power. there are small 100w ones for about $20 everywhere. Larger ones like a 400w will run more things, but cost more, about $35-50. A large one +/- 1000w will run a small microwave, but cost about $90-100 on avg, or more. It is recommended to only use the larger ones with the engine running as they can drain a battery quick. And you can get carried away with sizes, lol, too. They come in sizes up to about 5000 w, but that will run a whole house or construction site.( and cost a BUNCH!) then there is pure sine, a " cleaner" AC power, better for sensitive electronics. And inverters USE power to convert power, up to 25% for larger ones on , before you even plug in anything.
And that's my limited knowledge. There really is a science to balancing a system to your needs, so I hope others chip
In too. And last, but not least, there is the dreaded " search " function, but check it out, a LOT has been written about batteries, solar and electrical set ups.
Les

 

[Roniit]

<P>Thank you so much!&nbsp; I google a lot on this, but it's always nice to hear an opinion from someone who is doing the same exact thing.&nbsp; Ohh yeah forum search, why didn't I think of that.&nbsp; This is the only forum I'm really on, so I'm a noob! </P>

 

[Roniit]

Has anyone heard of "Fusion power" inverters? &nbsp;It's a brand, but it looks like they aren't being sold anymore . someone is selling one really cheap on craigslist and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about them? &nbsp;It's a puresine wave 1500w inverter. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>http://powerbyfusion.com/products.php</div>

 

[Les H]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that brand. I got my 1200 w modified sine ( regular ) inverter at a second hand store for $30, it had a $60 price tag. As long as it works, and the price is right , go for it...

 

[Guest]

<i><b>Holy crap!!</b></i> <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> After reading about all the parts, supplies, math and *stuff* you guys have to do and keep up with, not to mention the cost.....wow, just wow. <br>I am so very happy to have the simple, low maintenance and comparatively cheap set-up that I have. <br>

 

[SoulRaven]

Well this discussion only confirms that there are many ways to get and store the power we make out in the boondocks....i feel allot of the parts some use are had due to cost, availability, and comfort... Heck there maybe someone out there with a fusion reactor in their van... Sure thing is, it is all working for us, and we are not dead yet, chances are we can run our systems another night...<br><br>&nbsp;<br>