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Re: battery help
by storm connors
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I went through the same agony trying to figure out how to power the Suzuki.
It is a small vehicle like your bug. I ended up with the Goldilocks decision
of 18 8v golf cart batteries for a total weight of 3,030 pounds. I am
finding for myself what the rest already know. The whole effect depends on
how you drive it. Last weekend I went 33 miles on 99 amp hours. There was
still capacity left. This is on very hilly terrain. I avoid going over 200
battery amps if possible. On some of the local hills it's tough, but the
right foot can be trained. OTOH, 70mph and jackrabit starts can take me over
5 amp hours per mile with, I expect, a corresponding drop in battery life.
Anyway, you will probably come to the same conclusion I did. 120-144v of 8v
FLAs. Plan not to abuse them.
On 8/16/07, Lee Hart <leeahart@...> wrote:
>
> bjstaff@... wrote:
> > I am looking at getting some batteries that will make my 28 mile
> > commute... Prestolite MTC4001, Curtis 1231C, in the old style bug...
> > 120-144v... I would like to have some battery recommendations.
>
> You've had lots of good comments so far. I can add a few.
>
> 6v golf cart batteries would be great. They can easily meet your range
> requirements. They last a long time, and will give you the lowest cost
> per mile. But they are pretty heavy for a bug; 120-144v worth is
> 1200-1600 lbs.
>
> 8v golf cart batteries should also work well. The range would be less,
> but with care can still make your commute (avoid fast acceleration and
> high speed driving). Cost per mile will be a little higher; they cost
> less initially, but more than make up for it with shorter life. They
> will be lighter, at 1000-1200 lbs.
>
> 12v batteries like the 30XHS would be a poor choice. Life will be very
> short, and it's unlikely they would give you the range you seek unless
> you drive very slow and conservatively.
>
> The Curtis 1231 is easily capable of drawing enough battery current to
> shorten the life of your batteries. I'd suggest turning its current
> limit pot (on the side of the case behind the screw) all the way down to
> keep yourself from inadvertently ruining the batteries by overdoing it.
> --
> Ring the bells that still can ring
> Forget the perfect offering
> There is a crack in everything
> That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
> --
> Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>
--
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/1059
http://stormselectric.blogspot.com/
Storm
_______________________________________________
For subscription options, see
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
It is a small vehicle like your bug. I ended up with the Goldilocks decision
of 18 8v golf cart batteries for a total weight of 3,030 pounds. I am
finding for myself what the rest already know. The whole effect depends on
how you drive it. Last weekend I went 33 miles on 99 amp hours. There was
still capacity left. This is on very hilly terrain. I avoid going over 200
battery amps if possible. On some of the local hills it's tough, but the
right foot can be trained. OTOH, 70mph and jackrabit starts can take me over
5 amp hours per mile with, I expect, a corresponding drop in battery life.
Anyway, you will probably come to the same conclusion I did. 120-144v of 8v
FLAs. Plan not to abuse them.
On 8/16/07, Lee Hart <leeahart@...> wrote:
>
> bjstaff@... wrote:
> > I am looking at getting some batteries that will make my 28 mile
> > commute... Prestolite MTC4001, Curtis 1231C, in the old style bug...
> > 120-144v... I would like to have some battery recommendations.
>
> You've had lots of good comments so far. I can add a few.
>
> 6v golf cart batteries would be great. They can easily meet your range
> requirements. They last a long time, and will give you the lowest cost
> per mile. But they are pretty heavy for a bug; 120-144v worth is
> 1200-1600 lbs.
>
> 8v golf cart batteries should also work well. The range would be less,
> but with care can still make your commute (avoid fast acceleration and
> high speed driving). Cost per mile will be a little higher; they cost
> less initially, but more than make up for it with shorter life. They
> will be lighter, at 1000-1200 lbs.
>
> 12v batteries like the 30XHS would be a poor choice. Life will be very
> short, and it's unlikely they would give you the range you seek unless
> you drive very slow and conservatively.
>
> The Curtis 1231 is easily capable of drawing enough battery current to
> shorten the life of your batteries. I'd suggest turning its current
> limit pot (on the side of the case behind the screw) all the way down to
> keep yourself from inadvertently ruining the batteries by overdoing it.
> --
> Ring the bells that still can ring
> Forget the perfect offering
> There is a crack in everything
> That's how the light gets in -- Leonard Cohen
> --
> Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> For subscription options, see
> http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
>
--
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/1059
http://stormselectric.blogspot.com/
Storm
_______________________________________________
For subscription options, see
http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/ev
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