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30-10-2014, 20:08
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Boat: Beneteau 343
Posts: 534
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6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
I am thinking of changing out my 2 Group 27 deep cycles to 4 6 volt golf cart batteries to get more amp hours at a reasonable cost with a relatively easy install weight-wise as compared to upgrading to 4Ds. 2 Group 31s won't increase my capacity that much.
I'd appreciate anyone who has done this and I am especially concerned that my charger (which works well now) will charge 2 6 volt batteries in series the same it charges a single 12 volt batteries. Thoughts?
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30-10-2014, 20:18
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Petersburg, AK
Boat: Outremer 50S
Posts: 4,229
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
The short answer is - no problem. Your 12V batteries are just 6 x 2V cells in series, the 6V are 3 cells instead. As long as everything is the same size/type this is easy.
If you want to get really detailed there are a couple of threads around here about the best way to make the series/parallel and power take off connections.
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30-10-2014, 20:25
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,976
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
A really worthwhile upgrade. Just remember to wire the batteries correctly. Your charger wont know the difference except that it will take longer - you will have 450AH capacity instead of maybe 200. Dont even think of 4D or 8D - too heavy to handle and most are not really deep cycle.
There's a good reason why most cruisers use golf cart batteries.
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30-10-2014, 23:00
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottthardin
I am thinking of changing out my 2 Group 27 deep cycles to 4 6 volt golf cart batteries to get more amp hours at a reasonable cost with a relatively easy install weight-wise as compared to upgrading to 4Ds. 2 Group 31s won't increase my capacity that much.
I'd appreciate anyone who has done this and I am especially concerned that my charger (which works well now) will charge 2 6 volt batteries in series the same it charges a single 12 volt batteries. Thoughts?
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A 12 volt battery is 6 2 volt battery cells internally wired in series. Two six volt batteries wired in series with a jumper wire between the batteries are no different. Only issue is if there is something wrong with the jumper cable that makes for a lot of resistance. Good mechanically crimped ends, tinned ample gauge wire and well snugged terminal connections pretty much take care of that problem. If you need more amps and go with a series/parallel set up to get 12 volts at 440 amps or however many sets of batteries you string together, they should be located close to each other. The jumper wire has some resistance and long runs will affect the batteries unless they are properly sized. Properly sized means huge as you are talking a bunch of amps that need to get through the cable with minimum resistance.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
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31-10-2014, 00:46
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 4,634
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
how big is your current charger? might want to upgrade as well if it's really small.
I'd want atleast 60a with 4 golf carts.
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31-10-2014, 04:14
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#6
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 49,082
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Scott.
Yes, the charger should work as well /w 2 x 6V as it did /w a 1 x 12V.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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31-10-2014, 04:27
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Boat: Beneteau 343
Posts: 534
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
I appreciate the replies. I have a 3 bank 20a charger. It has worked well for 6 years for 170 AH via 2 G27 deep cycles plus a starting battery. I have a switch that takes the starting battery out of a play to target all juice to house. Other than the charger the starting batt is completely isolated from house batts. I like this setup for simplicity with the logic that I have means to deal with a failing starting batt (jumper cables, a $100 jump starter, TowBoat US) and I don't plan on letting the starting get in trouble in the first place.
Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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31-10-2014, 05:09
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: Bruce Roberts 44 Ofshore
Posts: 2,841
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Ideally with flooded lead acid batts you want a charger that can deliver a bulk phase charging current equal to 20% of the rated capacity of the bank. 10% is a bit light. Less, well, it will work but that's far from ideal. You don't want to charge too gently, especially in the bulk charge stage. With 4 golf cart batts in series/parallel you will likely have a 440ah bank. I would consider a beefier charger. What you got will work but likely with a performance hit.
My propulsion bank is 8 golf cart batts in series. Higher quality batts would be cool but I got these waaaay cheap, at Sams Club. $85 each. Best bang for the buck. They are so much easier to handle than 4D, too.
With more connections, it is increasingly important to pay attention to those connectiins, and the cables. Bigger is better. Don't hook up with 12ga wire lol! Go with at least 4ga and bigger if you ever have any high current loads. I often have over 50 amps going out, and so I use 2/0 cable for jumpers, to my controller, and from controller to motor.
__________________
GrowleyMonster
1979 Bruce Roberts Offshore 44, BRUTE FORCE
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31-10-2014, 07:39
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Do not use wing-nuts to connect to poles. Use solid nuts which you can really tighten to avoid overheating connections. Cover (protect) all your positive battery terminals to prevent short circuits.
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31-10-2014, 07:42
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Tampa
Boat: Hunter 33.5
Posts: 138
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Been using 4 golfcarts since 2001 with no issues. I have a stock Yanmar 3gm 30 alternator and a Freedom 1000 inverter/charger and have never had any issues in 13-14 years. I do need to watch the water level and check that every few weeks or so, use distilled water. When at the dock and not plugged in I have a small flexible solar panel, keeps the voltage at about 13.1 to 13.3.
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31-10-2014, 07:46
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Charleston, SC
Boat: Camano Troll
Posts: 5,176
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottthardin
I am thinking of changing out my 2 Group 27 deep cycles to 4 6 volt golf cart batteries to get more amp hours at a reasonable cost with a relatively easy install weight-wise as compared to upgrading to 4Ds. 2 Group 31s won't increase my capacity that much.
I'd appreciate anyone who has done this and I am especially concerned that my charger (which works well now) will charge 2 6 volt batteries in series the same it charges a single 12 volt batteries. Thoughts?
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It's already been explained about two six volt batteries in series being electrically identical to a twelve volt battery.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that the amp hours doubles though. Two six volt 100 AH batteries wired in series will provide twelve volts but still only 100 AH.
__________________
Ron
HIGH COTTON
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31-10-2014, 08:24
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,976
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Two things.
Golf cart batts are around 225 amp, 6 volts, each battery. So a pair of them will still give you 225 amps, but at 12 volts. Two pairs will give you 450 amps at 12 volts.
Keep a gallon jug of DISTILLED water nearby and check water level in the batts at least monthly - more if you use them a lot. Distilled water is $1 a gallon at most supermarkets.
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31-10-2014, 08:37
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,703
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Cowichan Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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22-07-2016, 17:53
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New England summers Eastern Caribbean winters
Boat: Radford 450 45' Vamoose
Posts: 62
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Re: 6 Volt Batteries in Series - Charging Issues?
Quote:
Originally Posted by EmeraldCoastSailor
I am thinking of changing out my 2 Group 27 deep cycles to 4 6 volt golf cart batteries to get more amp hours at a reasonable cost with a relatively easy install weight-wise as compared to upgrading to 4Ds. 2 Group 31s won't increase my capacity that much.
I'd appreciate anyone who has done this and I am especially concerned that my charger (which works well now) will charge 2 6 volt batteries in series the same it charges a single 12 volt batteries. Thoughts?
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I have used six Trojan 105 six volts on my sailboat and they work beautifully. I have also used two Lifeline 8d AGM battery's that cost a small fortune. The Trojan 105 worked better lasted longer
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