About those new DuraCells.

[Ed Schenck]

As you know I took your advice and went to Sam's. Bought two 6-volt DuraCells rated at 235 amp-hours. So I am wondering if I should cycle them once. What do you recommend, a load that will take them to 50% in 20 hours? What do you use?

There is no handle or convenient tie-down for these batteries. Those tabs look like they are made for something special.

 

[Benny17441]

12.66 you are right on the money. What is the manufacture date on those batts? Did you charge them? It seems to me that if they are charged almost to 100% they must not have sat on the shelf long. I would not worry about cycling them just put them to work. The tabs are probably to attach hooks for moving them around at the factory.

 

[Ed Schenck]

The batteries were at 12.44 this morning. Then about three hours on the cheap float charger. So top off the water and check after Christmas?

Any reason NOT to use the battery fuses that bolt to the battery post?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Those are carry strap hooks similar to many other brands. The strap looks like a heavy rubber belt with the appropriate hooks. Not familiar with fuses that bolt directly to the post(s) but as long as they are insulated from the inadvertent metal object, go for it.

 

[seadaddler]

ED

The hooks look just like the 6 volt batteries I have in my motor home which just happen to be bad and need replacing,so what was the cost of these durcell 6 volt at sam's club,I am up in NY where I keep my motor home and will need to replace them for sure.
Nick

 

[Ed Schenck]

Those were $78. each Nick. Then tax and another $9.00 because I did not have a trade.

 

[woodster]

another $9.00 because I did not have a trade.

they did you a favor on the core charge ...you can actually sell the cores at a battrie recycling center for about 19 to 21 dollars each and that will reduce you cost even more....

regards

woody

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks Ed

I guess I should wait until spring and just put the motor home away for the winter.
Nick

 

[Stu Jackson]

Breaking in New Batteries

Ed, can't hurt: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6353.0.html

Most people claim their batteries "work better" after a few uses. This is why.

 

[mitiempo]

From the resource info at Northern Arizona Wind and Sun:

"Nearly all batteries will not reach full capacity until cycled 10 to 30 times. A brand new barrety will have a capacity of 5 to 10% less than the rated capacity."

 

[Benny17441]

The usual problem with new batteries is that they have sat on the retailer's shelf for some time and have lost some charge and developed some sulfation. Usually the ability of a battery to get up to a 100% charge indicates its condition. It is imperative that the voltage reading be taken with the battery at rest for 3-4 hours to get a proper indication. If the reading after rest drops the charge to 85-90% then there is sulfation present and it will take a number of cycles to get them up to full charge. One cycle will not hurt and that 1rst cycle will provide the greatest benefit but I would not needlessly bench cycle them further and put them to work. The idea is to bring them down enough to allow the bulk charge to clean off the plates.

 

[kloudie1]

So far, our Sam's Clubs in Baton Rouge still have the old Energizer brand.. I guess that the company is using us to dump the older ones before refilling with the Duracells?? I haven't checked Slidell or New Orleans..

 

[SailingHarry]

Those tabs

Those tabs make great lifting points. A 3-foot chunk of 1/8" utilty cord, run through both tabs in a loop, and all of it in your hands (the center part and both ends -- it ends up looking and feeling kind of like a sachel handle) makes lifting and carrying those brutes a breeze. A sail tie would work even better, but I can't bring myself to do that to a sail tie.

Yes, they make slick rubber carrying straps, but who wants to spend the scratch -- and then store it for a couple years?

Harry

 

[Ed Schenck]

Re: Those tabs

I questioned those because the edges are so sharp. They feel like anything through that slot would be cut or, at the least, fray quickly. Looking for a way to tie them down. Where they will sit a box is not necessary and will not fit. The straps that are already there were securing AGMs. Now I have the caps to deal with and the strap would go over the "whatchamacallit", three cap opener. I guess I can make something that goes from the tabs down to the hold down.

 

[Don Lucas]

put a piece on wood on top as a spacer to protect the caps and just strap the babies down, not that big a deal loosening the strap when time to check the water