Deep cycle batteries.

[Joeboy69]

How do I know if they are deep cycle batteries or not? They are in a camper I bought 2nd hand. I googled the FNL 091 Raylite code but didn't get a hit.

If they are deep cycle I need to replace them, the run flat win a week even when nothing is pulling power :-(

 

[Joeboy69]

Forgot to add pics

 

[CAPS LOCK]

How do I know if they are deep cycle batteries or not? They are in a camper I bought 2nd hand. I googled the FNL 091 Raylite code but didn't get a hit.

If they are deep cycle I need to replace them, the run flat win a week even when nothing is pulling power :-(

If they losing all capacity as you describe, then they are stuffed - would it matter what cycle type battery they are?

 

[Joeboy69]

If they losing all capacity as you describe, then they are stuffed - would it matter what cycle type battery they are?

When I had an off-road trailer it was equipped with deep cycle battery, apparently it is better to run the lights and fridge when camping compared to a "normal" car battery.

I also think I must replace, but thought of replacing with exactly the same type as that is what I bought it with. But wanted to see if I could determine if it was deep cycle or not.

Think I should just drive the camper to a large battery center dealer and get them to replace with something suitable.

 

[CAPS LOCK]

When I had an off-road trailer it was equipped with deep cycle battery, apparently it is better to run the lights and fridge when camping compared to a "normal" car battery.

I also think I must replace, but thought of replacing with exactly the same type as that is what I bought it with. But wanted to see if I could determine if it was deep cycle or not.

Think I should just drive the camper to a large battery center dealer and get them to replace with something suitable.

Take it to a battery centre and ask them to load test it for you, usually a free service. Wrt the battery type, you most definitely would benefit from a deep-cycle choice as opposed to, assumedly, a high-cycle, in your circumstances.... There is no debate about that...

EDIT: just seen you pics - are those batteries connected in parallel? If so, how are you charging them? And, do they remain connected, if so, then in the event of one battery being stuffed it will drain the life of the healthy battery....

 

[Joeboy69]

Take it to a battery centre and ask them to load test it for you, usually a free service. Wrt the battery type, you most definitely would benefit from a deep-cycle choice as opposed to, assumedly, a high-cycle, in your circumstances.... There is no debate about that...

EDIT: just seen you pics - are those batteries connected in parallel? If so, how are you charging them? And, do they remain connected, if so, then in the event of one battery being stuffed it will drain the life of the healthy battery....

No idea how t are connected! They charge either by connecting to 240v at campsite or while I'm driving. I think both are stuffed but will have it tested and then replace with deep cycle. Rad that the "gel type" is ,ore expensive but gives better life; hopefully the battery shop will give good advice.

I also emailed the camper manufacturer for info on the batteries, but it is always good to get advice for forums

 

[The_Traveller]

Sigh. I just turfed out 2 x 102Ah batteries. Wish I had known this.

You'd never want to recycle a battery. It's like taking a smashed car, fixing it and expecting it to drive like a brand new one.

 

[DominionZA]

You'd never want to recycle a battery. It's like taking a smashed car, fixing it and expecting it to drive like a brand new one.

Even if I only got 50% capacity after a refurbish, I would have been happy.

But ye - I hear what you are saying.

 

[The_Traveller]

Even if I only got 50% capacity after a refurbish, I would have been happy.

But ye - I hear what you are saying.

Life's a risk. you win some you lose some

 

[richjdavies]

Life's a risk. you win some you lose some

I think you're mixing up recycle with refurb here. Recycling a battery -- yes! -- take all the valuable metals out, reprocess the acid etc; recycle the plastic.

Refurb, less good - basically taking the anodes and cathodes out and cleaning them a bit. This can solve lots of battery problems -- particularly if the battery has just been discharged/charges to quickly or too deeply... Not quite as good as new, but probably a bit better than you think.

Obviously milage will vary --> some people say 'refurb' when they just mean 'old/second-hand - I haven't done anything with it, but I'm trying to tell you it's not new in a clever marketing way'

 

[richjdavies]

PS These guys will pay you for the lead:
http://www.scrapbattery.co.za/faq/
DO NOT put batteries in the rubbish, they are worth wAAAAYYY too much and are WAAAYYY too polluting.

You know that petrol doesn't have lead in it -- because the trace bits in the air cause brain damage -- think how much more damage there is when that lead gets into the water supply!

 

[maumau]

we've just had a quote for solar installation which includes batteries but there's nowhere to store the batteries and the company is adamant they are stored inside.

i was thinking of getting a keter garden storage bin or of asking the gardener to build a brick housing. both the storage bin or the brick housing will be under a carport against one of the house walls.

which option do you guys think is the better one? how many bricks would i need and how many bricks are in a square meter? in other words if i build 1.5m high by 1.5m wide by .8m deep that's 4.5square metres of bricks (allowing a few brick over for breakages etc.).

also would he need a foundation? how deep? sorry for all the questions. once i get a lead from here i'll google for more info.

thank you

 

[Basil959]

we've just had a quote for solar installation which includes batteries but there's nowhere to store the batteries and the company is adamant they are stored inside.

i was thinking of getting a keter garden storage bin or of asking the gardener to build a brick housing. both the storage bin or the brick housing will be under a carport against one of the house walls.

which option do you guys think is the better one? how many bricks would i need and how many bricks are in a square meter? in other words if i build 1.5m high by 1.5m wide by .8m deep that's 4.5square metres of bricks (allowing a few brick over for breakages etc.).

also would he need a foundation? how deep? sorry for all the questions. once i get a lead from here i'll google for more info.

thank you

What did the quote come in at and what was it for?

 

[Basil959]

How do normal people buy the secondhand stuff?

Gumtree

 

[The_Traveller]

I think you're mixing up recycle with refurb here.

Sorry I meant to say refurb

we've just had a quote for solar installation which includes batteries but there's nowhere to store the batteries and the company is adamant they are stored inside.

the ideal temperature for Lead Acid is 25 degree C , so if It heats up too much you can get more capacity out of the battery but shorten life span. If it gets too cold then it wont charge/discharge properly, which then also damages the battery.

 

[maumau]

What did the quote come in at and what was it for?

4 x 12v 260aH batteries, 3kW pure sinewave inverter, 6 x 300W solar modules, roof mount structures, 70A max tracker plus cabling and other stuff. including installation R122 000.

 

[akescpt]

4 x 12v 260aH batteries, 3kW pure sinewave inverter, 6 x 300W solar modules, roof mount structures, 70A max tracker plus cabling and other stuff. including installation R122 000.

Holy ****balls

 

[maumau]

Holy ****balls

my thoughts too.

What choice do we have though? It's scary at night with all the lights off and no alarm. When the electricity's down MTN always seems to be down too.

That feeling of isolation - noooo

 

[Masataka]

4 x 12v 260aH batteries, 3kW pure sinewave inverter, 6 x 300W solar modules, roof mount structures, 70A max tracker plus cabling and other stuff. including installation R122 000.

What sort of monthly usage, in terms of kWh, are you expecting that system to provide? 400-450?

 

[Sinbad]

That will provide less than 200kwh per month I reckon