Deep Cycle 'Leisure' Battery Power

[Pepperamip]

Having purchased a allo digione recently I was about to pull the trigger on a cheapo linear psu for it but this got me thinking about what else could I use with similar or possibly even better results.

If this new psu could also power my other non psu inclusive components (amptastic mini-1 and minix) then all the better. The digione and minix run at 5v so these would require a buck or step down converter and these were picked up cheaply online.

Initially thought of a car battery but after some investigation I've settled on a Deep Cycle Leisure Battery (SuperBatt LH110) usually used for caravans or boats etc.. It's a big old beast so won't suit everyone (36cm wide and 22kg) Luckily the low height helps hide itself behind my cabinet.

I was going take a direct feed from the battery to each component but the minix and the digione don't have on/off switches so I fabricated a panel with 4 switches and a voltometer and I screwed this to the inside of my cabinet so it's hidden when my the doors are closed.

The mini-1 has it's own on/off switch so I've connected this directly to the battery with a inline fuse as added protection.

Sounds really good so far but only had a few hours worth of listening. Need to put the though it's paces now.



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[Sherwood]

Looks very neat. Much tidier than a similar system I had a few years back. However, I would just be a little worried about having the battery immediately below vertical blinds.

Geoff

[Pepperamip]

Looks very neat. Much tidier than a similar system I had a few years back. However, I would just be a little worried about having the battery immediately below vertical blinds.

Geoff

Yes I was thinking the same. Was actually going to cut the bottom of the blinds so they are well above the battery. The terminals are inwards though and a good 15 - 20cm from the blind.

[struth]

dare say you could fit something over top of battery to protect it

[Sherwood]

Yes I was thinking the same. Was actually going to cut the bottom of the blinds so they are well above the battery. The terminals are inwards though and a good 15 - 20cm from the blind.

I was fortunate enough to be able to have my battery and trickle charger outside on a covered balcony. Just had the wires with 12v feed coming into the house through an air brick. Admittedly, I was using a motorcycle SLA battery rather than a leisure battery, but I preferred to err on the side of caution. :rolleyes:

[Firebottle]

Just put a fixed cover over at least one of the terminals and you'll be fine.

[Pepperamip]

Alan, I've got a couple of the battery terminal covers on their way over from the Orient but as precaution I've done a temporary job on the positive in the mean time.

Does anyone have experience of charging a deep cycle battery? I've read you shouldn't trickle charge them and not let get much below the low 12v but apart from that I don't have much of an idea! I've got a 1.5a smart motorcycle battery charger but I'm guessing this isn't really suitable?

[struth]

need really to use a smart charger..the charging current should be at least 10% of the ampere hour rating of battery.

[Pepperamip]

need really to use a smart charger..the charging current should be at least 10% of the ampere hour rating of battery.

Thanks Grant, seen a 10a Numax smart jobbie but at £60 it's not cheap. Was thinking a weekly overnight charge should suffice but I'll keep an eye on the voltage and go from there.

[struth]

Ive got a smart ring :eyebrows: wasnt cheap but it is a very good charger, and saved a couple of batteries. got it at Halfords in a sale

[Firebottle]

I've got a 1.5a smart motorcycle battery charger but I'm guessing this isn't really suitable?

Providing it is a smart charger, as you say, it should be suitable.
The 10% required charge rate is if you are not using a smart charger. The time to fully charge is going to be rather long but if you achieve 14.2-14.4V on the battery then you can be happy that it is fully charged.
The 1.5A rating is going to be well over the self discharge rate so I'd say you are good to go. Keep the voltage above 12V.

The killer for lead acid batteries is leaving them in a discharged state for long periods.

[Sherwood]

Ive got a smart ring :eyebrows: wasnt cheap but it is a very good charger, and saved a couple of batteries. got it at Halfords in a sale

They sell special cushions for that now! :D

[struth]

They sell special cushions for that now! :D

:eek:

[Stryder5]

There is quite a difference in construction between "normal" and " deep cycle or leisure batteries".

Normal batteries are designed to give bursts of power for short times then recharging. If not recharged relatively quickly lifespan will be compromised.

Not true of the deep cycle whose design gives voltage over long times. To use a trickle/smart charger on this battery is not required and may reduce its design lifespan.

So, using a deep cycle battery over a relatively long period between charges is preferable with no lifespan degradation.

Information on preferred charge rate may be on the battery, certainly information will be available. I would avoid slow rate charging though.

Gary

[Pepperamip]

I ended up buying a 4a Suaoki however I've just noticed their 7a version which sells for around £80 normally is going for £35 on Amazon today. That's an absolute bargain and one I missed out on damn it. Link below if your on the look-out:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUAOKI-Maintainer-Ultra-Safe-Reconditions-Motorcycle/dp/B07CHDSJLM/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1545120531&sr=8-20&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=leisure+battery+charger



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[Stryder5]

Good spot.

[paulf-2007]

There is quite a difference in construction between "normal" and " deep cycle or leisure batteries".

Normal batteries are designed to give bursts of power for short times then recharging. If not recharged relatively quickly lifespan will be compromised.

Not true of the deep cycle whose design gives voltage over long times. To use a trickle/smart charger on this battery is not required and may reduce its design lifespan.

So, using a deep cycle battery over a relatively long period between charges is preferable with no lifespan degradation.

Information on preferred charge rate may be on the battery, certainly information will be available. I would avoid slow rate charging though.

Gary
What Gary said.
Below 12v isn't a problem for the battery but maybe is for your kit. Deep cycle is designed to be discharged without damaging it.

[M6NTL]

What Gary said.
Below 12v isn't a problem for the battery but maybe is for your kit. Deep cycle is designed to be discharged without damaging it.Yep. My 130Ah AGM Deep Cycle caravan battery is regularly below 9V when I finally go get it from the caravan in storage (the tracker flattens it about every month), and a 'regular' car battery would be killed to death by that.
But, my Optimate 3 motorcycle battery conditioner recovers, and charges it perfectly every time...

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[Pepperamip]

1st charge for my one yesterday. Left it on the whole day. It went up to almost 14v but it's been maintaining at 13.3. Thoight It would be higher than that. Maybe a setting I need to trigger?

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[Stryder5]

1st charge for my one yesterday. Left it on the whole day. It went up to almost 14v but it's been maintaining at 13.3. Thoight It would be higher than that. Maybe a setting I need to trigger?

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13.3 volts is normal, similar to car battery with alternator charging.

Gary

[wee tee cee]

halfords used to sell big solar panels for camper vans.

ive used one for a few years on a car battery to power t amps and dacs.

they are fine during the summer but at this time of year with less sunlight require an occasional charge.

might try a 5v convertor to power my google chromecast....any chance of a link?

[Pepperamip]

Tony, these are the ones I bought:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LM2596-Converter-3-0-40V-1-5-35V-Supply/dp/B01GJ0SC2C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1545298039&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=buck+converter&dpPl=1&dpID=61ot3zsbBwL&ref=plSrch

Easy to solder to and a small screw adjusts the voltage easily (can take a good few turns before it starts going. Seems to maintain a good steady voltage once set.

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