6 volt vs 12 volt Trojan batteries.

[GILow]

Hi all,

I feel like this must have been asked before, but my google skills are failing me (as is my internet connection.) so I'm asking here.

Aside from the different wiring requirements, is anyone aware of significant differences in constructing a 12 volt house bank from the 6 volt vs the 12 volt Trojan batteries?

I hear so much good stuff about the T105s, but I don't seem to hear much about the various 12 volt models.

Looking to put together around 600 AH@12v, if that matters.

Matt

[GILow]

Oops! I just learned the T105s have a much greater cycle life for a start.

But still keen to hear of other pros and cons

[wsmurdoch]

But... If you have room for three batteries, what is the best choice, 2x6V or 3x12V? What if you are restricted on battery height? Life is not cookie cutter simple.

Bill

[a64pilot]

Some time long ago for whatever reason the 6V format was chosen for “traction batteries” I think they are called, ones for motive uses like golf carts.
However I think when golf carts went from 36 to 48V that honest 12V traction batteries came into being, but I bet they cost more, but I have not looked.
Most often they are built from thicker plates which will last longer cause all LA batteries over time shed the lead, and a thicker plate can shed more before it becomes critical.
Also these traction batteries plates stand higher off the bottom of the case so that as the plates shed the “mud” that builds up on the bottom won’t short the cell.
There are often other difference of course like the material between the plates etc, but thicker plates and more space under them is usually the biggest.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

But... If you have room for three batteries, what is the best choice, 2x6V or 3x12V? What if you are restricted on battery height? Life is not cookie cutter simple.

Bill

Not the issue here, nor the question really. Plenty of space for anything I like.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Some time long ago for whatever reason the 6V format was chosen for “traction batteries” I think they are called, ones for motive uses like golf carts.
However I think when golf carts went from 36 to 48V that honest 12V traction batteries came into being, but I bet they cost more, but I have not looked.
Most often they are built from thicker plates which will last longer cause all LA batteries over time shed the lead, and a thicker plate can shed more before it becomes critical.
Also these traction batteries plates stand higher off the bottom of the case so that as the plates shed the “mud” that builds up on the bottom won’t short the cell.
There are often other difference of course like the material between the plates etc, but thicker plates and more space under them is usually the biggest.

I suppose I should check to see if any of the 12 volt Trojans have the same cycle capacity. That would suggest a bit about whether they are constructed in a similar way to the T105s.

Prices were interesting... there was not a lot of variance in $ per amp hour once I combined cells in parallel and series. A few $ in connections I suppose, but I make my own so not much really.

[a64pilot]

If you have the space you may want to consider the tall Solar batteries, some of them have extremely long cycle lives.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/market...ble-energy-re/

I’m still contemplating the L15+ Fireflies myself

[GILow]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If you have the space you may want to consider the tall Solar batteries, some of them have extremely long cycle lives.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/market...ble-energy-re/

I’m still contemplating the L15+ Fireflies myself

Good point about the taller batteries. I’ll price those too.

Keeping an eye on the carbon foam technology. Interesting stuff but I’m happy to let others do a bit more testing, plus they are a bit harder to source in Oz.

Maybe the next round of batteries.

[jdazey]

I went from 8Ds to T105s. My back is very grateful.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by jdazey

I went from 8Ds to T105s. My back is very grateful.

Yeah, there is that too. [emoji846]

[Mr B]

Following, Very interested as Im up for new batterys,

[RaymondR]

I tried a number of different batteries over a few decades but finally gave up on everything but Trojan T105s and would have them in the boat I have now except the battery box is not tall enough.

Keeping water in them is a pain in the but though.

[Adelie]

I have a 20’ boat. I was happy to find room for 2 batteries. That meant I needed 12v. If a 12v fails I can still run things, I just have half the capacity to do so. With 6v batteries if I lose 1 I probably lose the capacity to run anything.

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by GILow

Looking to put together around 600 AH@12v, if that matters.

Matt

Using 6 volt batteries will halve the number of parallel connections, so your bank will potentially have lower self-discharge rate. If you go with six 2 volt cells instead, you can eliminate parallel connections entirely.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

Using 6 volt batteries will halve the number of parallel connections, so your bank will potentially have lower self-discharge rate. If you go with six 2 volt cells instead, you can eliminate parallel connections entirely.

Would never have thought of this one in a million years...

I will see what it would cost to do it all in 2 volt cells. (I assume Trojan make them). And check out the number of cycles too. Another option.