[oclug] Batteries

[brownj-oclug at ack.ca]

If you do use car batteries, purchase Deep-cycle batteries, Car batteries are not designed to be discharged significantly.
Car batteries are rated by Cranking Amps, which is how many amperes the battery can supply to the starter motor. I have rarely seen a Ah (Ampere-hour) rating on a car battery.
Deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates and are designed to be discharged completely, for boating, trolling motors, etc...
Pay attention to the charging voltages required.
Also, I would suggest having the batteries on a tray to catch spilled battery acid (even "sealed" batteries have vent holes) and have them in an area that is ventilated, I'd suggest that this is not a living area either.
Finally, do not accidently short any large batteries, they can explode.


On Thu, 8 Aug 2002, Gorm Jensen wrote:

> In the not-too-distant future, my 3 UPS units will need new batteries.
> Is there a technical reason not to buy a car battery, which has 10
> times the capacity for half the price of an exact replacement?
>
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-- 
Jeff Brown
brownj-oclug at ack.ca