Batteries
- SteveG
- Admin
- Posts: 6100
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
- Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Deep Cycle....
Paging Philo.
So I'm thinking about adding a deep cycle battery to the Explorer to run a 12v fridge. How do the lead/acid batteries hold up? They are about half the coin of an Optima and the like and I don't hear great things about the latest Optimas anyway.
How will a deep cycle hold up to a draw of about 4.5 amps? What kind of run time can I expect between charges/driving?
Thanks!
So I'm thinking about adding a deep cycle battery to the Explorer to run a 12v fridge. How do the lead/acid batteries hold up? They are about half the coin of an Optima and the like and I don't hear great things about the latest Optimas anyway.
How will a deep cycle hold up to a draw of about 4.5 amps? What kind of run time can I expect between charges/driving?
Thanks!
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
Deep cycle is what you want for a constant draw without a charging source. Where are you locating it and how much space do you have?
- SteveG
- Admin
- Posts: 6100
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
- Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: Batteries
I'm hoping under the floor. Similar to the way Southwest used to mount them on the Broncos... haven't really looked to see if it would fit, though.philofab wrote:Deep cycle is what you want for a constant draw without a charging source. Where are you locating it and how much space do you have?
Re: Batteries
Optimas absolutely suck since their .gov contracts
Re: Batteries
I run the Die Hard Platinum, and love it!
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
With a 4.5 amp draw you are only going to get about 11 hours out of an average group 24 battery...
Re: Batteries
I thot Broncos came with size 65 batts? At least mine did.
Lots more poop compared to a 24 or 34.
BTW, I am in Mexico and Sears wont let me look at the Platinum info. Question is what groups are available like 24, 34 or 65?
Yes I know I need to get a VPN --- Sigh---
Thanks, PW
Lots more poop compared to a 24 or 34.
BTW, I am in Mexico and Sears wont let me look at the Platinum info. Question is what groups are available like 24, 34 or 65?
Yes I know I need to get a VPN --- Sigh---
Thanks, PW
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
I was referring to Steve putting a deep cycle under his Explorer. No one makes a group 65 in deep cycle that I know of.PaulW wrote:I thot Broncos came with size 65 batts? At least mine did.
Lots more poop compared to a 24 or 34.
BTW, I am in Mexico and Sears wont let me look at the Platinum info. Question is what groups are available like 24, 34 or 65?
Yes I know I need to get a VPN --- Sigh---
Thanks, PW
Sears Platinum are made by Enersys very similar to the batteries they produce for Odyssey. They make many common group sizes, 65, 31, 24, 75, 78, ect.
Re: Batteries
Phil
the deep cycle batts are available in large sizes and AGM used by the solar people. I have no info what the sizes are, but they are similar to the 65.
the deep cycle batts are available in large sizes and AGM used by the solar people. I have no info what the sizes are, but they are similar to the 65.
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
Yes. But group 24 is common and cheap in deep cycle. There is no deep cycle group 65, that is a starting battery size. If it is a different shape or size than a group 65, it is not a group 65.PaulW wrote:Phil
the deep cycle batts are available in large sizes and AGM used by the solar people. I have no info what the sizes are, but they are similar to the 65.
Solar people use U1, GC2, J185, and L16 sized batteries most often.
Re: Batteries
I was under the impression that the sears platinum was a odyssey made for them. Any truth to that?philofab wrote:I was referring to Steve putting a deep cycle under his Explorer. No one makes a group 65 in deep cycle that I know of.PaulW wrote:I thot Broncos came with size 65 batts? At least mine did.
Lots more poop compared to a 24 or 34.
BTW, I am in Mexico and Sears wont let me look at the Platinum info. Question is what groups are available like 24, 34 or 65?
Yes I know I need to get a VPN --- Sigh---
Thanks, PW
Sears Platinum are made by Enersys very similar to the batteries they produce for Odyssey. They make many common group sizes, 65, 31, 24, 75, 78, ect.
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
Seabass wrote:I was under the impression that the sears platinum was a odyssey made for them. Any truth to that?
Enersys is the parent company of Odyssey. They have some differences but yes, it's an Odyssey built to Sears specs and sold under Sears name. The rest of the Sears line is made by Deka/East Penn Mfg and is also a good quality battery.
Re: Batteries
You will notice that the Deka Intimidator has a little less poop than the Sears Platinum in size 34. Turns out the Platinum is bigger and has more lead which accounts for the difference.
I ended up with a Deka because in CO where I bought the thing Sears is just a franchise and does not sell the platinum.
After all these years one of my Optima yellows finally gave up and got replaced with the 34 Deka , but I had to get a different tray. Same physical size or very close.
I ended up with a Deka because in CO where I bought the thing Sears is just a franchise and does not sell the platinum.
After all these years one of my Optima yellows finally gave up and got replaced with the 34 Deka , but I had to get a different tray. Same physical size or very close.
- SteveG
- Admin
- Posts: 6100
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
- Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: Batteries
That's what I was afraid of. That's not near as long as I'd hoped. I suppose I could add a solar panel but I'm not always planning on parking in the sun. In fact, it would be counterproductive to keeping a fridge cold....philofab wrote:With a 4.5 amp draw you are only going to get about 11 hours out of an average group 24 battery...
- Bondobob
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:41 am
- Bronco Info: 1987 XLT 5.0 in the family since new in May of 1987
- Location: Bakersfield CA
Re: Batteries
I've been looking at (2)of the Kyocera 145 watt panels and a controller to power up a few AGM batteries for an off grid set-up on a trailer. For a little more than what harbor freight charges you can set up a much better quality modular/expandable array. Might even set it up so they could be mounted to the fiberglass shell of the Dodge as well with a Battery selector switch for house/start batteries. Battery selection for this kind of set-up would be very well worth a call to the "Expert".
- philofab
- Basura Blanca
- Posts: 5643
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:37 am
- Bronco Info: A pile of crap.
- Location: Bullhead, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Batteries
145 watts x 2 = 290 watts / 12 = 24 amps * .8 for real world output. 20 amps will do a lot for ya.
As much as drunk assholes make fun of my panels they are light weight and do a lot of good for my setup.
As much as drunk assholes make fun of my panels they are light weight and do a lot of good for my setup.
- Becks_Bronco
- Posts: 1244
- Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:12 pm
- Bronco Info: 96 Eddie Bauer, 5.8
- Location: Antioch
Re: Batteries
Steve,SteveG wrote:That's what I was afraid of. That's not near as long as I'd hoped. I suppose I could add a solar panel but I'm not always planning on parking in the sun. In fact, it would be counterproductive to keeping a fridge cold....philofab wrote:With a 4.5 amp draw you are only going to get about 11 hours out of an average group 24 battery...
OLD thread, but i just recently bought a new battery for the Bronco, and will be running a fridge as well. 4.5amps is the peak startup draw, but draw half that or less on average while running.
- hobbyturnedobsession
- Posts: 4565
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:34 am
- Bronco Info: 96 c/o w/ 5.0
- Location: High Desert CA
Batteries
I'm going to run a fridge also. I was thinking 2 batteries inside the frame rails.
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
- Becks_Bronco
- Posts: 1244
- Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:12 pm
- Bronco Info: 96 Eddie Bauer, 5.8
- Location: Antioch
Re: Batteries
I'll run a second battery like a golf cart battery. Tuck it up inside the rear quarter or inside the frame rail. Charge it off solar or the alternator with a smart isolator.hobbyturnedobsession wrote:I'm going to run a fridge also. I was thinking 2 batteries inside the frame rails.
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
- hobbyturnedobsession
- Posts: 4565
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:34 am
- Bronco Info: 96 c/o w/ 5.0
- Location: High Desert CA
Batteries
That's what I was thinking. 2 batteries mounted up underneath. One will run the bronco stuff and the other the fridge etc. Food for thought though. I have been looking into fridges and some have a power save mode which drops the amperage. Seems interesting at least
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk