6 volt vs 12 volt? - Page 3

rleslie · 08-10-2007, 13:21

I feel that if the batts are from the same manufacturer and you want to achieve the same AH, weight is a component to consider.

East Penn AGMs
2 - 6V @ 186 ah = 72 lbs ea. = 144 lbs
1 - 12V @ 186 ah = 135 lbs

A 9 lb difference is negligible in the overall vessel wight, but there is a huge difference when you start trying to move them around the boat by yourself.

hellosailor · 08-10-2007, 13:42

"but there is a huge difference when you start trying to move them around the boat by yourself."

What, you don't have the remote controlled hydraulic operated battery elevator trays? You push the button, the tray come up and out, you have the deliveryman put the battery in, you push the other button, and the new battery goes below deck and links up, all without human touch except on the buttons? [weg]

rleslie · 08-10-2007, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"but there is a huge difference when you start trying to move them around the boat by yourself."

What, you don't have the remote controlled hydraulic operated battery elevator trays? You push the button, the tray come up and out, you have the deliveryman put the battery in, you push the other button, and the new battery goes below deck and links up, all without human touch except on the buttons? [weg]

We had one, but it wasn't marinized and only lasted 3 weeks....darn chinese products!

I then got something that works much better.....my wife!!!!!!

mestrezat · 08-10-2007, 14:18

The original question still stands--Am I better to have two 6 volt-golf cart batteries or switch over to one 12 volt deep cycle battery? Not sure the amps of the batteries that are there but would be immaterial to the final installation if I matched the amps of what is there to what I am putting in. Would take up lots less space under the boards of my boat.

**Pblais** · 08-10-2007, 14:28

Quote:

Am I better to have two 6 volt-golf cart batteries or switch over to one 12 volt deep cycle battery?

No better or worse. They type of battery does however matter a lot. All batteries are not even close to the same. The fact that they were 6 or 12 volts wouldn't say much. You need the charger and regulator setup to handle the appropriate battery type and you should adjust all the voltages with a good digital multimeter.

rleslie · 08-10-2007, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mestrezat

The original question still stands--Am I better to have two 6 volt-golf cart batteries or switch over to one 12 volt deep cycle battery? Not sure the amps of the batteries that are there but would be immaterial to the final installation if I matched the amps of what is there to what I am putting in. Would take up lots less space under the boards of my boat.

Perhaps a over simplification but, a 12V batt is just two 6Vs in one case. In regards to AHs, it makes no difference. If it saves space, go with the 12v.

**David M** · 10-10-2007, 22:38

If you can get two 6 volt batteries in the same space as that of one 12 volt battery AND the stored energy of the two, six volt batteries is greater than that of the single twelve, then do it.

Has anyone ever tried lifting a 12 volt, 8-D battery into an awkward space? At 47, I'm too old to do that now. It's much easier to haul 2 batteries at half the size than a single enormous 12v 8-D battery.

Also, a charger cant tell the difference between two 6 volts in series or one 12 volt...electrically it is the same thing. The internal resistance is the SAME. Modern 3 stage computerized chargers do a pretty good job of it and you don't have to fuss with a digital volt meter to tweak them.

If you have an older ferro resonant charger then get rid of it..they are garbage and will only destroy your batteries prematurely.

kr6cq · 11-10-2007, 01:57

without knowing the amp hour rating no one can give you a reasonable
answer. you first need to know the ah rating of the six volt and 12 v
to make a comparison. If they both have the same ah rating, you will
get the same number of watthours either way. If you have the space
using 6v generally means you can use larger and heavier battery and
get more amp hours. Something most people don't know is that wet
cell lead acid batteries like to be slow charged. when you get over a
ten amp charge it is considered a fast charge. Over kill is the last thing
you want in your system. 6 volt batteries are primarily for electric motors
because of the high amp draw and amphours needed. So unless you have
heavy loading and need more time between charges, I would stay with the
12 volt. It will definitely save space and weight.

I hope this has helped

hellosailor · 11-10-2007, 15:14

David-
"Has anyone ever tried lifting a 12 volt, 8-D battery into an awkward space? "
I think it was a couple of Group 30 Trojans that I last argued with this year, something like a paltry 75# each. Does the phrase "Let the Force move through you!" sound familiar?[g]
SIngle 2.2V cells are starting to sound more logical every year.

08-10-2007, 14:18	#34
mestrezat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Newport, Oregon Boat: Liberty 458 Posts: 59	Back to the subject? The original question still stands--Am I better to have two 6 volt-golf cart batteries or switch over to one 12 volt deep cycle battery? Not sure the amps of the batteries that are there but would be immaterial to the final installation if I matched the amps of what is there to what I am putting in. Would take up lots less space under the boards of my boat.

10-10-2007, 22:38	#37
David M Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Posts: 2,684	If you can get two 6 volt batteries in the same space as that of one 12 volt battery AND the stored energy of the two, six volt batteries is greater than that of the single twelve, then do it. Has anyone ever tried lifting a 12 volt, 8-D battery into an awkward space? At 47, I'm too old to do that now. It's much easier to haul 2 batteries at half the size than a single enormous 12v 8-D battery. Also, a charger cant tell the difference between two 6 volts in series or one 12 volt...electrically it is the same thing. The internal resistance is the SAME. Modern 3 stage computerized chargers do a pretty good job of it and you don't have to fuss with a digital volt meter to tweak them. If you have an older ferro resonant charger then get rid of it..they are garbage and will only destroy your batteries prematurely. Last edited by David M; 10-10-2007 at 22:51.

11-10-2007, 01:57	#38
kr6cq Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	batteries without knowing the amp hour rating no one can give you a reasonable answer. you first need to know the ah rating of the six volt and 12 v to make a comparison. If they both have the same ah rating, you will get the same number of watthours either way. If you have the space using 6v generally means you can use larger and heavier battery and get more amp hours. Something most people don't know is that wet cell lead acid batteries like to be slow charged. when you get over a ten amp charge it is considered a fast charge. Over kill is the last thing you want in your system. 6 volt batteries are primarily for electric motors because of the high amp draw and amphours needed. So unless you have heavy loading and need more time between charges, I would stay with the 12 volt. It will definitely save space and weight. I hope this has helped

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08-10-2007, 13:21	#31
rleslie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winters - Out Cruising / Summers in the NC mountains Boat: Brewer 42 Posts: 288 Images: 2	I feel that if the batts are from the same manufacturer and you want to achieve the same AH, weight is a component to consider. East Penn AGMs 2 - 6V @ 186 ah = 72 lbs ea. = 144 lbs 1 - 12V @ 186 ah = 135 lbs A 9 lb difference is negligible in the overall vessel wight, but there is a huge difference when you start trying to move them around the boat by yourself.

08-10-2007, 13:42	#32
hellosailor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,283	"but there is a huge difference when you start trying to move them around the boat by yourself." What, you don't have the remote controlled hydraulic operated battery elevator trays? You push the button, the tray come up and out, you have the deliveryman put the battery in, you push the other button, and the new battery goes below deck and links up, all without human touch except on the buttons? [weg]

11-10-2007, 15:14	#39
hellosailor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,283	David- "Has anyone ever tried lifting a 12 volt, 8-D battery into an awkward space? " I think it was a couple of Group 30 Trojans that I last argued with this year, something like a paltry 75# each. Does the phrase "Let the Force move through you!" sound familiar?[g] SIngle 2.2V cells are starting to sound more logical every year.