[TenTec] Battery charger (power supply Hercules II)

[NL7VL]

Jim,

You are asking what kind of battery capacity you need to run the Herc
from just batteries, or a PS + deep cycle in parallel? Maybe this is
not what you what, but it might be useful anyway.

* With the PS + deep cycles:

So the Herc has an input requirement of what - 70 or 80 amps for 500
watts out? I had an Astron 50 amp adjustable that would foldback the
current wherever you set it, and I had it in parallel with my
batteries. I'd use it to float them, too, but I would have maybe 4 RV
batteries with your setup. I suppose you could do it with 2 and not be
too hard on them. But a single battery - not sure about that.

* Deep cycles only:

I would have 4 of them - preferably 6 volt batteries in
series/parallel. The cell plate geometry is larger and will take the
abuse better than 4 12 volts in parallel. Even with this setup - without
doing the math (probably get nailed for that) - you can expect a
couple of hours. You only what to discharge them 50% to preserve their
lives and ability to hold a charge.

-- 
 Neal, NL7VL

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On Sat, 05 Feb 2011 08:55:03 -0800
Jim Brown <k9yc at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:

>On 2/5/2011 8:35 AM, Dr. Gerald N. Johnson wrote:
>> During a rag chew or domestic contest I'm pretty sure the 10 amp may
>> not keep up, the lower current chargers have no chance at all and
>> the life of the batteries is longest if discharged the least.
>
>I agree.  I use a 10A supply to recharge a deep discharge Costco
>battery that runs my K3 and a few accessories. It's enough for that
>power level, even during heavy contesting, but I'd want more like
>25-30A to run my Herc II.  So far, I've not used battery-floated power
>to run my Herc II, but I've read about others doing so. I don't
>usually use my Herc II at home, since I have Titan 425s, but I do love
>the Herc II for portable use (like county expeditions).
>
>73, Jim K9YC
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