[VHFcontesting] Battery Question

[John D'Ausilio]

Take a look at the Interstate U2300 .. relatively inexpensive (~$100
each, but you need a pair), easy to get (interstate stores all over
the place), lotsa capacity (235AH) .. I use 4 of them in the Jitney,
having replaced 4 similar Trojan T-105s, and they hold up just fine
for an entire 4-hour session with two high-power ops (though
microwaves are relatively low duty cycle). The voltage drops to the
low 11's near the end of that period, but the Jacobs Accuvolt takes
care of that nicely.

I charge directly from alternator, a pair of #4 cables and a boat
switch for isolation .. it draws around 90A after a 4 hour stop, but
only for less than a minute then drops to around 40 and soaks there
until fully charged ..

de w1rt/john

On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 7:53 AM, Mark Adams <msadams60 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dave,
>
> Charging could not be simpler. I have #8 conductors connected to the battery
> terminals in the engine compartment of my Saturn Vue, fused at 40A near the
> battery and terminated near the West Mtn 80A Rig Runner in the back in
> PowerPoles, standard small ones with 45A pins. The two deep cycle batteries
> are paralleled and a connector harness with PowerPoles then connects to the
> engine compartment "charging" system.
>
> We used to run a custom designed box that would limit current, monitor
> voltage and cut off the charging if the engine side dipped below a preset
> value, but all that led to too little charging. Hence the direct connect.
> Seems that with all the wire, connections and fuses involved, we have enough
> voltage drop and current limiting that this JUST works. After running a
> rover stop for 3 hours, the voltage of the 2 deep cycle batteries will be
> dipping to 12.0 volts. If we drive for a hundred miles, the batteries charge
> up and we start the new rover spot in the high 12 range.
>
> Works for us. Obviously, a big diesel pickup truck with a whopper alternator
> would be a better choice but the comptroller here at the QO estate may have
> an issue with that!
>
> I've been on the verge of buying a Honda 2 kW generator to run all of this.
> I know that this would provide good stiff voltage and give the vehicle
> charging system a break, but that requires even more work/time/money.
>
>
> 73,
> Mark K2QO
> FN03ra
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 10:06 PM, David All <n3xudfm19 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Mark,
>> Can you describe how your set up to charge your radio batts from the SUV.
>> Thanks,
>> Dave N3XUD/R
>>
>>
>>
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