Re: (ET) More on batteries

["David Roden" <roden ald net>]

> 1.  While we have all heard that the Trojans are the best 6V EV 
> batteries,
> how do the different sized Trojans compare with each other?  A battery
> wholesaler told me that Trojan 6V units are T145 (highest capacity), 
> T125,
> and T105 (lowest capacity). 

The details are at http://www.trojan-battery.com -- you have it pretty 
much right.  In highway electric vehicle use, I believe I remember 
someone making a case for the T-125 having the lowest cost per mile 
(because of the extra range per charge cycle).  I suppose that could 
apply to ET use too.

 2.  Are there any other very good non
> Trojan brands? 

Virtually all the private label golf car batteries sold in the US are 
made by either Trojan or US Battery.  Some people say Trojan branded 
product is a little better than US Battery branded.

3.  How is Deka?  I ask because I've been told that there
> is a Deka factory with an outlet in PA that sells, when available, case
> blems deeply discounted. 

I have no experience with their GC batteries.  I have a pile of their gel 
marine (group 24) batteries, but haven't used them long enough to form an 
opinion.  I will tell you that charging Deka's gel batteries is a touchy 
proposition.  They need very careful control of the finishing rate, 
because their recombinant catylist is easily overwhelmed.

How deeply discounted are the blems you're looking at?  Going price for 
generic US or Trojan batteries was around $50 each when last I looked.  
That's pretty hard to beat.

> 4.  Has anyone out there replaced the GE charger
> with an updated unit? 5.  Has anyone any experience with Deltran, a unit
> that makes a high frequency charger with the stages of charge? 

I know naught of Deltran.  If you try one, please post your impressions.

The standard of the golf car industry is Lester.  For years they have 
made a charger with microprocessor control based on what I believe is the 
most reliable method of determining state of charge, DV/DT (that is, it 
senses when the battery's rising voltage curve flattens out).  They have 
a patent on this method.  Some folks say their algorithm can be improved 
with a few tweaks of the trimpots, but the principle is fine.

The downside is that they are *heavy* and *big*.  No way is that charger 
going to fit into the bay occupied by the GE charger.

6.  Does
> anyone have any modern chargers they'd like to sell cheap to someone who
> wants to update their tractor?

No, but if you want a small, lightweight onboard charger, you might look 
into the Zapi NG-1 charger at      

http://www.mcn.org/a/innEVations/chargers.html

(I think this link is current).

Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do.

===================================================================
                David Roden          THE VIRTUAL PD         
     Services for radio broadcasters targeting educated adults
 Programming   Air talent development   Research   Classical music
===================================================================