Trojan Batteries

[takethebounce]

I dunno If I agree. Depending on the load, and inverter use, killing a battery will shorten its life.
I do alot of dry camping and use a generator when needed, along with solar, and no inverter.
I never had a dead set of batteries, and I always charged my batteries with my smart charger after every winter before putting them back in the trailer.
That being said after 9 years my set of 6v batteries would still have 12.6v in the morning, my buddies trailer is the same year and he has gone through 3 sets already.
Proper maintenance and water levels with a good charger/maintainer goes along way.

I never use a generator. All solar and have gone 10-12 days without any concern. 300 watts of solar running through a Bogart controller and monitor. I don’t kill my batteries.

Sure maintenance is a big part of battery life. I frequently check my water levels, and if needed equalize the batteries, clean terminals, and so on. There are a few ways of getting to the end but if you want to squeeze every bit from your system it starts with proper charging.

Not sure what there is to disagree with.

 

[Caper11]

I never use a generator. All solar and have gone 10-12 days without any concern. 300 watts of solar running through a Bogart controller and monitor. I don’t kill my batteries.

Sure maintenance is a big part of battery life. I frequently check my water levels, and if needed equalize the batteries, clean terminals, and so on. There are a few ways of getting to the end but if you want to squeeze every bit from your system it starts with proper charging.

Not sure what there is to disagree with.

Nothing to disagree with now that you explained some more things. If you dont use shore power than the charge wizard will not work for you as it should. Keep in mind once you do, the controller will sence your battery state and immediately go to 14.4v to boost your battery charge before it resumes it normal maintain charge, it will stay in boost mode until it senses the proper battery percentage before it goes to 13.6v than to 13.2v float mode.

 

[takethebounce]

Nothing to disagree with now that you explained some more things. If you dont use shore power than the charge wizard will not work for you as it should. Keep in mind once you do, the controller will sence your battery state and immediately go to 14.4v to boost your battery charge before it resumes it normal maintain charge, it will stay in boost mode until it senses the proper battery percentage before it goes to 13.6v than to 13.2v float mode.

Yeah it was limited info I found on the charge wizard. Left me wondering more but like I said it is obviously better than many on board products sold in many units.

I run a shunt on my charge monitor so I know exactly how many amps go in and out of my batteries and my controller works with the monitor to more accurately recharge the batteries based on usage vs simple voltages that are based on a pre determined cycle. It’s still using voltage but can vary the phase of charge according to the charge demand.

I am fairly particular about my charging. Maybe I only gain 5-10 % over the guy next to me but working with 220 amp hours total battery capacity I like to maximize my charging. I even see the charge controller indicator come on during clear nights from the moon. Lol

 

[ZRrrr]

Good friend has one of the PD Inteli-Power units. Seems to like it. Never mentions any battery issues.

Our Trojans lasted 9 years before they started showing any weakness. Then I accidentally (maybe on purpose lol) froze them when one winter showed up early. Replaced with Costco golf cart batteries. 5 years strong so far. Run a 150 watt solar panel with charge controller. 400 watt portable sine wave inverter for charging phones, tablets etc. Batteries are smart charged when stored, smart charged half way through winter, smart charged before spring install. Maintain water levels, keep clean, test on occasion. Never any issues, always strong.

Have even thought about selling generator as we never use it anymore.

Neighbour with same trailer, no solar, doesn't look after batteries, is on second set in 5 years. Constantly feels the need to run generator.

 

[takethebounce]

Good friend has one of the PD Inteli-Power units. Seems to like it. Never mentions any battery issues.

Our Trojans lasted 9 years before they started showing any weakness. Then I accidentally (maybe on purpose lol) froze them when one winter showed up early. Replaced with Costco golf cart batteries. 5 years strong so far. Run a 150 watt solar panel with charge controller. 400 watt portable sine wave inverter for charging phones, tablets etc. Batteries are smart charged when stored, smart charged half way through winter, smart charged before spring install. Maintain water levels, keep clean, test on occasion. Never any issues, always strong.

Have even thought about selling generator as we never use it anymore.

Neighbour with same trailer, no solar, doesn't look after batteries, is on second set in 5 years. Constantly feels the need to run generator.

Your batteries shouldn’t freeze if your solar controller is doing its job unless you are not running the solar full time. Only discharged batteries partially or full discharged will freeze. My batteries only come off my trailer to give them a clean in the spring.

 

[doorfx]

Same here ^^^

 

[ZRrrr]

Like I said, they were 9 years old and starting to get weak. I had likely shut off the solar and just got lazy pulling the batteries before the first real cold snap. Point was that looking after the batteries properly affords me years of strong performance.

 

[DRD]

Any decent deals on the T-105's? Mine are due to be replaced but have gone up a since I bought at 125 bucks each. I see some places trying to get 250. Might have to give the Costco cart batteries a go this time...

 

[TylerG]

Any decent deals on the T-105's? Mine are due to be replaced but have gone up a since I bought at 125 bucks each. I see some places trying to get 250. Might have to give the Costco cart batteries a go this time...

I went with two of the Costco golf cart batteries. They're first weekend out will start here in about an hour

 

[rhody605]

I just got some of the costco golf cart 6v batteries.

Worked great over the long weekend.

 

[takethebounce]

Interstate I was told used to be one of the Kirkland battery suppliers. Not sure if they still are.