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Using Float service 12V batteries for typical camping use?

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  • Using Float service 12V batteries for typical camping use?

    The problem for me is your typical store brought vrla/agm 12v batteries have the usual low 3year warranty & 3-4 year real lifespan by the looks. Yet you only use the battery 5-10 times a year for a week or so each time MAX. (even 12V LiFePo4 with builtin bms has only 3yr with its alleged 7-10yr lifespan)

    Have read a bit about float service agm and how they can have a design life up to 10-15years with very low cycles. Was looking at the 12V Yuasa UXH 100 as an example which has 10years.

    Is it a good idea to use these like a standard deep cycle 12V block? I can't help but think in a place with warm summers the calendar life would be shorter almost like a typical deep cycle. Bit a noob question can you keep these in storage like shed & just top up every 2months & expect long life? Or must they be on float?

    thanks

  • #2
    No what you are talking about is Telecom and Data type batteries. They are not designed to be cycled or used as strange as that may sound. They are designed to sit there on a Float Charged day in and day out waiting for a power failure to occur. When power fails they take over for a few minutes until the generators start and take over. If cycled have very short life of 50 to 150 cycles. They are designed very similar to a car battery to provide a very quick high burst of power momentarily and recharged quickly.

    OK but not all is bad. Float Charge Algorithm is the kindest gentlest charging algorithm there is. There is only one issue that makes it impractical to use on a daily cycle application. It takes 24 hours to recharge at the lower voltages. You can Float Charge deep cycle batteries and in fact is how you store them for very long periods of time. For a camp site you can use Float Charge because it is only used once a week for a day or two and it will greatly increase battery life. If only they made Charge Controllers that can be setup as a Float Charger. There are a few that can be by setting Bulk/Absorb/Float to the same voltage of 13.2 to 13.8 volts. That makes the Controller a simple CC/CV charger aka Float.
    MSEE, PE

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