Batteries Info

[RippedMantis]

Hi everybody,
I don't know if anybody's posted the rundown on batteries yet as i don't have that much time to look through everything on this huge site so here it is. If it's a dublicate, reply to it and i'll remove it.

Car batteries are meant to start the car. A good battery will have slightly more than 12v. After you start your car, your alternator should put out around 14.4 volt and the amps differ from manufacturers and models. They are also meant to put out max amps for only approx 30 seconds max (cranking the engine). After that they are supposed to be charged back up using the alternator. I've heard that it takes about 15 min of run time to charge back up the alternator. Increasing the load right after startup makes it harder for the alternator to charge up your battery again and having a huge system drain makes this longer. If your battery doesn't charge up again after this, you'll have less of a charge in your battery etc. In colder climates, if you drain a battery dead and don't charge it up again, you could run the risk of freezing your battery and ruining it.

Marine batteries are meant to be used until their dead and not used for a little while and then charged back up again. Prematurely charging these batteries puts a "memory" in them preventing them from getting a full charge.

I'll revise this post and add or subtract content based on comments or questions.

[RippedMantis]

I'd also like to add some things about charging batteries. If you must charge a battery, a lower amp setting and longer time is always better for the battery. When it comes to marine batteries, charge on the lowest setting, even if it takes all day. But make sure you check on them once in a while so ya don't start a fire or spill acid or something.
BTW: Leaving a battery on a charger overnight is dangerous, and there is such a thing as overcharging a battery. And you don't want to burn your garage down.

[tommymcc]

so do you think deepcycle batteries should be used as main cranking batteries or only as secondary batteries meant to give a constant response rather than a large burst of energy to start the vehicle then a constant charge?

also, i'd change the avatar, not trying to be a bossy guy but somebody will eventually complain about it and it'll be more problems than it's worth

[RippedMantis]

Never use a deepcycle in place of a regular car battery. Sure you could start a car with them, but their meant to be used until their dead. So if you have a deepcycle in your car for your audio equipment, don't hook it up with your alternator. You'll fry the deepcycle. I've heard of people getting away with it, but i worked at a Sears Auto Center in North Dakota and they just don't last. Yes you are right, they are meant to be used steadily instead of the sudden jolt of starting a car. So to sum things up, deepcycle no crankie, leave it totally sepearate, and yes this means you have to put it on a charger.

[tommymcc]

alright, what if the battery is a rockford/exide orbital battery that is a starting/deepcycle battery? i have one and haven't had any problems with it as my main battery, i'm running a 160A HO altenator and i'm using it to push around 120-150A depending on the music and if i'm showing off

i'm probably gonna add another one for my mono amps in the back, but it will be charged by the altenator using a regulator and isolator

[RippedMantis]

your starting/deepcycle batter is for boats mostly. i wouldn't use it in a car, no matter what kind it is, unless you read in a document specifically from the manufacturer because there are exceptions. Again, you can use a deepcycle batter for a main battery, but using it this way will cause the battery to prematurely fail. It will work though.

[tommymcc]

hopefully it prematurally fails before the 18 month free replacement is up

[RippedMantis]

yea, if it's got a warranty, go for it, but just make sure it goes before then ;)