Golf Cart Batteries

[Gary Wyngarden]

The Hunter 37.5 I just bought came with a pair of almost new Exide GC-5, 6 volt golf cart batteries. They have a combined amp hour capacity of 200 at 12 volts. I'd like to increase the amp hour capacity of my house system and need to decide whether to expand on this start by buying two more like them or to start over with something else. Anyone have experience using golf cart batteries for your house system? How do you like them? Thanks for your help.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H375

 

[Rick D]

Like Them A Lot

I have two banks of Trojan T125's. They only require water a couple of times annually. They are robust and will take the over-discharge from time to time without tanking. They are owner-replaceable at least to the extent you can lift one of them. And, they are a relative bargain. I'll stay with them. They are maintained by a Heart 2500 inverter/charger. Rick D.

 

[Stu Jackson]

GaryLink is to a lot of potential reading, but scan through them, because they've been discussed a lot. A great way to go, most amp hours for the size and price.Stu

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Gary, what Stu said is,,

going to sound like lots of echos, so I won't. Do it, buy several more. Life will be even better.

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Ditto

As Stu an others mentioned, there has been a lot written about batteries, but I believe 6 volt batts are the way to go. I'm planning on replacing my four 4D batteries soon with a single house bank of six or more 6 volt batteries to go with a Group 24 start battery. In my opinion, 6 volt batts offer the most amp hours for the best price in the most convenient size.Best,Trevor

 

[ross]

absolutely

golf cart type flooded lead acid batteries give you the biggest bang for the buck. If they are less than 1 year old and have not been abused(left sitting for a period of time deeply discharged)you can just add another parellel string(s) and increase your AH capacity. Use the same brand and size of battery, don't mix battery size or type. The fewer parallel strings you have, the less you potential problems you will have. A couple of potential problems with flooded batteries vs. sealed batteries, Tie them down real good and put them in some type of container. battery acid spills suck. Use a GOOD regulated 3 stage charger with ajustable setpoints on the different stages. set your setpoints to manufacturers specs. I like to run my setpoints 2 tenths of a volt(12 volt system) below that to reduce gassing in flooded batteries. Overcharging flooded batteries produces hydrogen gas. If you smell hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs) during normal charging, less than 14.4 volts or less, its time to replace the batteries.A great website to learn about different types of batteries and charging systems is homepower.com. It is for off grid homes and such, which is what I do. Ross

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Thanks, guys.

Golf anyone? That's the way I'll go then. Boy those suckers are heavy! Happily there's an engine hoist mounted near the battery locker that I can use to haul them in and out.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H37.5

 

[Ken Sturgill]

Cheap GC Battery

Gary,I buy blems, at the Interstate Battery Warehouse in South Everett. They run around $40 and last just as long as new ones, at half the price. The Warehouse is of the 128th exit off of I - 5, just south of Everett Mall. Stop in and say Hi to Kirk, he's a power boater but he's okay.

 

[Debra B]

Trojan T-105's

You need to keep batteries in a bank all the same variety. It is also a good idea to keep the age similar (since battery amps/volts change over time).That said I have Trojan T-105's. I purchased them from a distributor that supplies fork-lifts, golf courses, etc. for about $60 each. 220 amp hours. They are great, and for the amp hours they are priced right. I also like the fact that each 6-volt weighs about 65 pounds. I have trouble moving a 4D, and have never bothered to try move an 8D.They are flooded batteries and need maintenance.