How to charge using deep cycle batteries.

[Slyster]

WOW that is a NICE charger. I love the display. I pull a max of 40A out of my two deep cycles... and I wonder how high they could go. I'd love to pull out 70A and see how they do.. the 4010 can do that I believe?

[desertstalker]

Originally Posted by Slyster

WOW that is a NICE charger. I love the display. I pull a max of 40A out of my two deep cycles... and I wonder how high they could go. I'd love to pull out 70A and see how they do.. the 4010 can do that I believe?

Max current is 65A AFAIK.

[Slyster]

Max input current of 65A? Yeah.. that would be handicapped by 24V input of deep cycles.

[Raz0rSh4rp]

Would this be a decent battery to use in a dual deep-cycle setup?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-...ttery/16795212

[Slyster]

No for two reasons. (I've used them)

1) Walmart has only 1 year warranty.

2) these are dual purpose.. (notice the side show cranking amps) not 'true' deep cycles so much harder on them to go low.

I killed mine in just over one season (too late for warranty)

Many places have a 2 year replacement warrenty... or even a sliding 5 year warrenty. Try Costco, Batteries Plus, Menards, Fleetfarm? Bass Pro shops... those types of places. True deep cycle.. not starting/deep cycle.

[Nelvick]

Usually good deep cycle battery had a high reserve rate. Mine is 160 minutes that is pretty good. The Walmart one is 115

[Tukmol]

Hi! Whats the storage voltage on deep cycle? Should i treat it like lipo batt or can I just leave it full charged in my trunk? Thanks

[Slyster]

Deep cycles must be stored FULL unlike lipos.

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

[Tukmol]

Originally Posted by Slyster

Deep cycles must be stored FULL unlike lipos.

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

Thank you!

[electronjunkie]

Why not hook the batteries to the Vehicle power system when you are not using them for charging?

I have a fused 10 Gauge wire from my Vehicle battery to my deep cycles. I have two alligator fused jumpers that I can move to go from parallel (charging the deep cycles) to series (charging my lipos). The two jumpers are single ended (screwed on at the other end).

I'll post a diagram. It is two less batteries that I have to worry about charging.

[electronjunkie]

Here is a diagram of my charging rig. I keep plenty of 30A Auto fuses in case I goof up and forget to remove the ground 1st or I try to add the ground before taking the positive lead out of series.

Basically I have to remember to add the ground last for parallel (charging Deep Cycles) and remove the ground 1st for Series (charging Lipos). I have not screwed up yet but I'm sure I'll forget one day. I keep plenty of fuses just in case. They are really cheap.

I thought about trying to look for a high amperage DPDT Break before make switch so I could prevent goof ups. High amperage switches are expensive and so are high amperage relays. I would have to put an inductor in series to prevent a spark and ruining the contacts over time and possibly a diode across the inductor to prevent sparks from reverse EMF on disconnect. Accidental shorts have not been a problem so I will probably just keep it simple as it is.



I ran a 10 Gauge wire from my Vehicle +12V (fused at terminal) to my 2 deep cycle batts. The positive alligator jumper is fused and bolted to the terminal on the other end. The Ground alligator jumper is bolted at the other end and is too short to reach anything other than the ground terminal so its not fused.

[electronjunkie]

Hey Slyster, was wondering what you thought of my idea here. It has worked out well so far.

I did not know that about the Walmart not-so "Deep Cycle" batteries. Not sure what to get when mine goes but it has held up fine so far.

[Nelvick]

I Will be worry about the alternator

[Slyster]

It might work.. but plan on the vehicle driving at least 8 hours between flying days. After a day out.. it takes my charger 20A x 8 hours to recharge my dual deep cycles.

[MyRCode]

I'm looking into getting a deep cycle battery to charge at the field. I'll only be charging 6 3S 2200 mAh packs together at most so I'd like to get the lightest deep cycle battery I can.

I'll be using my iCharger3010 to charge the deep cycle at home.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a deep cycle battery for me?

Mark

[Slyster]

I use two cheapies ($70) ones from a local hardware store (Menards)... look at Home Depot, Sporting goods store (that sells boats), Lowes? For you size packs.. you would only need one medium sized battery.

Charge your deep cycle at 10A! no more.

[Duke600]

I have been using 2 deep cycle Marine/RV batteries from Costco for about 7-8 months, They work great. Try to get as many amp hours as you can in a battery if your charging a lot like I am (8 or more 6s 5000's). Costco has 2 different deep cycle batteries; the Marine/RV had more amp/hours than the regular deep cycle.

[MyRCode]

Thanks! I've got a Lowes and Home Depot nearby so I'll check out both this weekend.

This may seem like a stupid question, but I bought my i3010b used on here. The DC input is banana plugs only and can't be disconnected. So to power the i3010b from the deep cycles, I'll need a cable that's alligator clips one side and then female plugs on the other.

To charge the deep cycles, I'll need male banana plugs to plug into the output ports of the icharger and alligator clips to clip onto the deep cycle right?

I'm assuming my LHS would probably be the best to get the appropriate cables. Is there a certain minimum gauge wire I should be looking for?

As far as charging settings, I assume these are okay (they're from page 2 of this thread)

Originally Posted by Lighty

Hey mate

I set it on PB / 10 amps / 12v / trickle is set at 100 - I think... It takes 8-10 hrs to charge a 105mah Deep cycle. Whilst charging it will hit 14.4v there abouts and then tapper out after some hours.

As I use the DC's often they din't sit on trickle unless they finish charging before I wake up. Once complete the batteries will read about 12.5-12.6 volts.

hope this helps

[Slyster]

I took a car jumper cable and cut off the end and soldered on an EC5 to power my charger from the deep cycles. (also then need to cut charger input bananas and solder on EC5)

I Also did this to my power supplies so I can power the charger from a number of sources.. including an larger EC5 lipo for indoor dome flying on my little 130x.

See photo....

[MyRCode]

Ah...that'll probably be easier. I just need to get the plugs and a donor jumper cable...and wait for my new soldering iron to ship.