Re: (ET) Battery Question

["Christopher Meier" <mr23 mn rr com>]

You'll want to find out what the peak and average current draw is.
How many watt-hours are used in a run (including staging, burnout,
and return if under power)?
Find out what the designed voltage is for the ignition input.
I don't know what dragsters run for ignition.

Then choose batteries etc to maintain the voltage, with enough
capacity.  For example, a solar charge controller powered by
2 8-volt deep cycles, charging a small 12v battery at say 14.2v.
Ignition runs off the 12v (nominal), 'always' charging at 14.2v.
Choose the solar controller power rating to be at least 50% over
the peak current draw of the ignition.  A small gel cell could
be the12v battery, located very close to the ignition system
(for least voltage drop), and the larger 8v batteries can be
conveniently placed.

Besides a charge controller, a low voltage EV controller
(the small curtis units, or a 4qd, diverse, or whatever) could
be used instead.

If I was still running circle track, that's what I'd be doing...

-Chris

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pestka, Dennis J" <Dennis Pestka TycoHealthcare com>
To: "'Elec-Trak Email Discussion List'" <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 3:10 PM
Subject: (ET) Battery Question


> This isn't really a tractor question, but here goes.
>
> A fellow I work with races super stock dragsters on the weekends.
> He presently runs a no alternator system with (2) 12 volt Optima Blue top
> batteries in parallel.
> When he races a lot and gets all the way to the finals, he notices his
> batteries getting pretty weak and may not be getting the high voltage
needed
> for optimal spark.
> He charges in between races, but has very little time.
> He would like to upgrade and is considering several options.
>
> Staying at 12 volt with (2) 12 volt Optima yellow tops in parallel.
>
> Staying at 12 volt with (2) Trojan 6 volts or (1) 12 volt.
>
> Using a higher voltage combinations, say 2 Trojans, (1) 6 volt, (1) 8 
> volt
> in series for 14 volts.
> Even higher voltage with (2) Trojan 8 volts in series for 16 volts.
>
> He is now adding 80 pounds of ballast to get to the minimum racing 
> weight,
> so the extra weight of the Trojans should not be a problem.
>
>
> I know they would have a higher amp hour rating and last longer, but 
> would
> the Trojans be able to deliver the amperage needed during the race versus
> the Optimas ?
>
> Would the G forces be a problem with the Trojan floodeds versus the
Optimas
> ?
>
> Any opinions ?
>
>
> Thanks;
> Dennis