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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Traverse City, MI
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    2,680

    Default A Battery Discussion; 6V vs. 12V

    It seems like many of us are planning to do the 6 volt swap over winter, and others have questioned it, so I figured I’d share my rationale for making the switch.

    For comparison sake, I chose to compare 2 of the easiest to obtain ‘golf cart’ 6 volt batteries (the Interstate GC2-XHD UT (formerly the u2200), and the Exide GC135) to the Deka DC24 and DC27, which are deep cycle marine Group 24 and Group 27, respectively, and available under many different private label brand names.



    Looking at the chart, you’ll find that 2 of the 6 volt batteries will be equal in capacity, weight, and cost to 3 of the Group 24, and like 2.5 of the Group 27s.

    For me, putting 4 batteries in my boat (3 house, 1 start) will be more work than I want, so the easy choice was to get the 2 best performers I could.

    Also important to note, the above chart shows MSRP - I was not able to locate a source for the Interstate batteries (which MMANDLEY is using) so I researched and located the comparable Exide, and was quoted $119 ea, further enforcing that this is the best choice for my needs.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    3,017

    Default

    Ian, I went with two Group 29 125AH marine deep cycle batteries from Costco, cost about $90 each, for my stereo bank. If you are looking to get the most play time out of two batteries, I don't think you can beat this option. And it's less expensive to boot.
    Al

    2006 Mobius LSV

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lake Wylie NC Area
    Posts
    2,467

    Default

    The GC's will take far more punishment. This is an advantage for those spend considerable time every weekend playing the system whale at anchor.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    North End Lake Lanier GA
    Posts
    8,155

    Default

    I prefer the 2 Golf cart batteries i run. Running 4 big amps when we stop to swim and hang out i never have to worrry about my batteries.

    Also the other big reason to change was due to when we take a lot of our trips in the summer i have no way to charge the batteries other then the engine. My stereo fare exceeds my Alt output when im cranking hard. Anyone who has spent any time in my boat knows my stereo only has 3 settings.
    Off
    Loud
    So Loud you cant hear the person next to you shouting.

    The other day i noticed i was cranking the stereo so hard the RPM guage was bouncing 400 RPM and the engine was running a consistent speed. LOL.

    Also with the Pro 20 charger on board, i just switch off the batteries with my selector switch plug it in at home and it charges normally. No other modifications needed.
    Malo <--- Means--Evil or Mean One. This explains a lot.
    2013 Mojo 2.5 Skylon Tower. Bestia < Beast >
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  5. #5

    Default

    It can be hard to compare specs from battery brand to brand to brand. For example, I don't believe the specs on some of the Walmart offerings. The amount of lead is a major determining factor in performance, which can't be cheated. I tend to trust the specs when the battery weight closely corresponds as a ratio to the amp/hour capacity. There seems to be a uniform relationship with all the quality brands shown in Ian's graph so it looks legit to me.
    Not included is the Deka group 31, which generally is a 15 to 20% increase in capacity over a group 27 and a nice bump over a group 29.
    Various battery types (cranking, deep cycle) exchange short term peak discharge for long term continuous discharge. More plate surface area versus thicker plates. Each makes a compromise in favor of an opposing performance benefit. For large stereos played at rest for long periods, its tough to beat what golf cart batteries have to offer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    port washington, ohio
    Posts
    656

    Default

    i'm no audio guru but looking to revamp my stereo in the near future ... but what makes a 6 v golf cart battery better then a 12 v marine grade battery.
    08 lsv all red- dual battery system, kicker 700.5 and 450.2 amp, 10" kicker sub, wetsounds eq, polk db651 cabin speakers, exile xm7 tower speakers, ss thru hull fittings, seadek pad, evolutions cover

    https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?t=10664

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    184

    Default Re: A Battery Discussion; 6V vs. 12V

    I run two 6volt on my camper......... Inn the camper having a good converter for recharge is key.... Not sure how it works on the boat..... As far as trickle and not over heating. And over charging....

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    2006 Mobius LS, 2009 Sydney Outback 310 BHS, 2011 Duramax - My toys

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Katy, TX
    Posts
    6,368

    Default A Battery Discussion; 6V vs. 12V

    Quote Originally Posted by gus 08 mobius lsv View Post
    i'm no audio guru but looking to revamp my stereo in the near future ... but what makes a 6 v golf cart battery better then a 12 v marine grade battery.
    You can't just run one golf cart battery, you have to run two of them in series to generate 12 volts. This set up is better than two 12 volts wired in parallel due to the durability of the GCs being discharged and recharged so much. The two GCs also provide more amp hours than the two standard 12 batteries for extended play time with the engine off. Or at least this is how I understand it.


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    David

    2017 Moomba Mojo Max Surf Edition, 2 Pair Wetsounds Rev10s powered by an SD2, 6 pair Wetsounds XS650M and Wetsounds XS12 powered by SD6 all controlled by a WS420. 2 Lumitec SeaBlaze X2 Spectrum underwater lights

    SOLD***2008 Mobius LSV, Gravity III , Wake Plate, Z5, Exile SX65c's, Exile XM9s, Exile XI12D, Exile Javelin, Exile 30.2***SOLD

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Springfield Missouri
    Posts
    3,391

    Default Or get one of these

    A Cat battery if you have the room and the price $290. Not uncommon in motor homes. Nice compliment to a killer stereo system.



    PART NUMBER: 153-5710
    Length (in): 20.47
    Width (IN): 8.58
    Width (MM): 218.0
    Height (IN): 9.76
    Height (MM): 248.0
    Weight - Wet (LB): 119.0
    Weight - Wet (KG): 54.0
    Terminal Type: SAE Posts
    Maintenance Type: Maintenance Free
    Grid Type: Calcium Lead Alloy Grid Design
    Accessible Vent Caps: Accessible Vent Caps
    Application: Starting
    Battery Type: Wet
    Volts: 12
    Group Size: 4D
    CCA: 1400
    RC Mins: 425
    AMP Hr Cap @ 20 Hrs: 200
    Length (MM): 520.0
    1998 Mobius
    310 HP PCM
    SOLD

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gus 08 mobius lsv View Post
    i'm no audio guru but looking to revamp my stereo in the near future ... but what makes a 6 v golf cart battery better then a 12 v marine grade battery.
    A cranking battery has more plate surface area and more perferation. This provides a faster discharge. It's good for starting and the transient demands of music but bad for durability when deeply cycling a battery.
    At the other extreme is a deep cycle golf cart battery with thicker plates but less plate surface area. This deep cycle design will tolerate deeper discharges without degradation but isn't intended to release energy as fast.
    So there are definite advantages and disadvantages to both depending on the application. But as stereos have become larger and used at rest for long durations with deeper discharges, most will prioritize maximum reserve time and longevity.

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