am I crazy !

atalas · #1 01-06-2005, 03:31 PM

Well just paid $149.00 for a 12volt 70amp
deep cycle battery ,so tell me am I crazy!

Louie

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #2 01-06-2005, 04:15 PM

Louie,

What brand and model number is it ?

Is it 13 or 15 plates per cell ?

Sounds like a fair deal on the surface, deep cycle batteries are a lot more expensive than a normal car battery as they are designed to be continually fully or partially discharged and then recharged. They use much thicker plates than a normal battery and a different electrolyte compound. Difference is they cost twice what a car battery costs but last 20 times longer under the conditions to which you will subject it to so IMO well worth the extra money.

CS-John B

atalas · #3 01-06-2005, 04:25 PM

Not sure If Its 13 0r 15 plate john ?doesnt say on the battery,just that
Its 75amp and 20hr Its the BOSCH one made in Australia .
When I think about It I paid $150.00 for my car battery.

Louie

ving (David) · #4 01-06-2005, 04:35 PM

you are crazy...

feel better now?

atalas · #5 01-06-2005, 04:43 PM

Ving I knew you would jump in to tell me that!

Louie

Rodstar (Rod) · #6 01-06-2005, 04:56 PM

I didn't have to read the content of this thread to know the answer to your question Louie!!

PS Sounds like you have the Dew Zapper issue all sorted out with that battery! I'll be interested to see how it goes the next long night observing session you have.

atalas · #7 01-06-2005, 04:59 PM

Yes Rod we can both plug into this battery at the same time!

Louie

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #8 01-06-2005, 05:01 PM

Louie,

How many watts does the "dew zapper" draw ?

CS-John B

PS: You must have a very big car or they saw you comin, I bought a 600ah marine battery for my boat for $150, on the other hand I think you got a good deal on the deep cycle

atalas · #9 01-06-2005, 05:08 PM

John the dew zapper is one of those orion ones not sure of the specs!
but It is very hungry.
My car battery is one of those European ones there not cheap.

Louie

beren · #10 01-06-2005, 10:16 PM

think the Orion zapper draws 2amps at one setting of 20 watts , mine did short work on my 17amp powertank , ended up getting a 35 amp golf buggy battery and now no worries for a dusk to dawn marathon ......you should have no probs now Louie and the price sounds good.

atalas · #11 01-06-2005, 10:27 PM

Yes beren thats my thought as well! 17aph can't handle these orion due zappers thats for sure, and I'm sure for people reading this would find that hard to believe but It's true. This new 75aph BOSCH deep cycle will do just fine. I'll also run a 12volt hair dryer off It for the eyepiece.

Louie

acropolite (Phil) · #12 01-06-2005, 10:33 PM

Sounds alright to me Louie, the number of plates is not that important; it's what's between and under the plates that counts. Most batteries die because of whisker growth from re-charging or as a result of shorting out by sediment at the bottom of the battery...The electrolyte in a deep cycle battery is no different to that of any other lead acid battery, but the chemical composition of the plates is....The best thing you can do is recharge promptly and keep the discharge as shallow as you can, even if you have a deep cycle battery...

beren · #13 01-06-2005, 10:37 PM

ive found with my kendrick system to i have to go the highest setting if i dont have a shield hooked up and thats probarly running at the same specs as the Orion then , but once the sheild is on i can half the power settings and remain dew free ....good for power conservation when i need it in the feild to run the LTop.

atalas · #14 01-06-2005, 10:38 PM

Thanks Phil, I will do my best not to be lazy with It!

Louie

atalas · #15 01-06-2005, 10:43 PM

Yes beren I will go the full kendrick system so then I can run eyepiece and finder zappers as well. At the moment I'm hoping I'll sell a lot of my
gear off so I can upgrade.

Louie

beren · #16 01-06-2005, 11:05 PM

i keep the battery on a trickle recharging unit as well , it doesnt overcharge and be kept on until the battery is used , something to consider for peace of mind ....projecta brand from kmart [cheap as well}

atalas · #17 01-06-2005, 11:09 PM

What the hell is a trickle charger beren !never heard of them I'll go an check them out . How much are they ?Kmart you say.

Louie

beren · #18 01-06-2005, 11:23 PM

They charge your battery until required and then maintain full charge without the risk of overcharging until you need the battery .Heres a pic of one , i have a wall mounted one {cost 45}

http://www.projecta.com.au/products/...s/20/Bm140.jpg

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #19 01-06-2005, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by acropolite
the number of plates is not that important; it's what's between and under the plates that counts

It is if you gotta carry it 100 metres from the car

Quote:

The electrolyte in a deep cycle battery is no different to that of any other lead acid battery, but the chemical composition of the plates is....The best thing you can do is recharge promptly and keep the discharge as shallow as you can, even if you have a deep cycle battery...

Ok Ok

I was trying not to get TOOOOOOOOOOOOO technical for Louies' sake, we have to use the KISS principal with him

The actual difference, to my understanding, is that a deep cycle battery uses thicker plates with a significantly higher antimony content in the lead alloy that the plates are made of. Also the lead oxide based paste that is on the grids is thicker and a different composition in a deep cycle battery.

CS- John B

atalas · #20 01-06-2005, 11:40 PM

Very nice beren I'll go and get one tomorrow !
Thanks

Louie