Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

[Skybreeze]

I'm looking at replacing my deep cycle batteries that I use as house batteries in my boat. I also want to be able to use them for camping to run a small fridge and freezer. I currently have 2 x R155 Hella Endurant lead acid deep cycle batteries. I'm looking at replacing them with AGM batteries but I don't want to go to a smaller capacity than what I have. From the info I can find the R155 is 155 amp/hrs at the 20hr rate. The batteries I am looking at getting are Champion C12V156. The info on these are 156 amp/hr at the 100 hr rate or 120amp/hr at the 10hr rate. What I need to know is what has the greater capacity.
The fridge and freezer combined draws 7 amps an hour when running but they cut in and out so would average a lot less over a long period. I have 2 x 90 watt solar panels to keep them topped up when camping. On the boat is not an issue as the generator keeps them topped up.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

The fridge and freezer combined draws 7 amps an hour when running but they cut in and out so would average a lot less over a long period.

I wouldn't count on it. Amp hour ratings typically take into account any cycling

 

[alldodge]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

I'm looking at replacing my deep cycle batteries that I use as house batteries in my boat. I also want to be able to use them for camping to run a small fridge and freezer. I currently have 2 x R155 Hella Endurant lead acid deep cycle batteries. I'm looking at replacing them with AGM batteries but I don't want to go to a smaller capacity than what I have. From the info I can find the R155 is 155 amp/hrs at the 20hr rate. The batteries I am looking at getting are Champion C12V156. The info on these are 156 amp/hr at the 100 hr rate or 120amp/hr at the 10hr rate. What I need to know is what has the greater capacity.
The fridge and freezer combined draws 7 amps an hour when running but they cut in and out so would average a lot less over a long period. I have 2 x 90 watt solar panels to keep them topped up when camping. On the boat is not an issue as the generator keeps them topped up.

Looks like you have group 30HT size batteries. You have the maximum Ahr capacity for that size. If your willing to change your battery holder you can go to a 4D size and come up to 210 Ahr or 8D 255 Ahr but these are large batteries.

Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle Batteries

Edit: I'll add both batteries you listed are basically the same size give or take a few

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

I haven't taken the amp hour ratings from the manufacturer. They are from data I have collected from actual running. I have been able to run both from the R155 batteries successfully with only dropping the batteries capacity to 50% but only just. What I need to know. Are the AGM batteries I specified going to be a larger capacity or smaller capacity. They are physically bigger and the largest physical size I can fit in the boat. But if they are a smaller capacity then I will stick with the R155 batteries. I prefer to go to AGM if they are the same or larger capacity. I suspect the R155 are still a larger capacity even though they are physically smaller.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

I haven't taken the amp hour ratings from the manufacturer. They are from data I have collected from actual running. I have been able to run both from the R155 batteries successfully with only dropping the batteries capacity to 50% but only just. What I need to know. Are the AGM batteries I specified going to be a larger capacity or smaller capacity. They are physically bigger and the largest physical size I can fit in the boat. But if they are a smaller capacity then I will stick with the R155 batteries. I prefer to go to AGM if they are the same or larger capacity. I suspect the R155 are still a larger capacity even though they are physically smaller.

It's my understanding that Exide makes batteries for Champion; therefore the C156 will be the same as the Exide 150. Here are the links to the two batteries and they appear to be the same

R155
C156

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

...The fridge and freezer combined draws 7 amps an hour when running but they cut in and out so would average a lot less over a long period. I have 2 x 90 watt solar panels to keep them topped up when camping...

I wouldn't count on it. Amp hour ratings typically take into account any cycling

Is that 7 amps at 125 volts. (875 Watts) ... or, 7 amps at 12 volts. (84 Watts)

An 84 watts freezer would be about as effective as an 84 watt heater.

Keep in mind the solar panels only make the 90 watts while actually pointing at a clear noonday Sun.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

I would buy a couple Trojan T-105 6v batteries and put them in series.

Trojan Battery Company

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

Is that 7 amps at 125 volts. (875 Watts) ... or, 7 amps at 12 volts. (84 Watts)

An 84 watts freezer would be about as effective as an 84 watt heater.

Keep in mind the solar panels only make the 90 watts while actually pointing at a clear noonday Sun.

Sorry to prove you wrong but I have a system that works really well and have been using it for a number of years now with great success. The freezer maintains a temp of -10 to -14 degC while drawing 2.5 amps when running and the fridge draws 4.5 amps. They both average a lot less than that as they cycle. I know this because I'm running a battery monitor with a shunt in the system. Doesn't sound like an 84watt heater to me. The batteries are usually up to full capacity again by mid afternoon the next day.
My question was around battery size comparison not whether my system will work. I already know the system works but I want to replace my batteries as they are getting old and I want to go to AGM if I can get the same physical size battery without going to a reduced capacity.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

AGMs will give you more power density for the same volume. They just cost a lot. RVers and folks that go solar and go off the grid go with the Trojans for the best bang for the buck.

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

It's my understanding that Exide makes batteries for Champion; therefore the C156 will be the same as the Exide 150. Here are the links to the two batteries and they appear to be the same

R155
C156

I had already looked at the exide but they are a physically larger battery so not sure whether they are made by the same company. The C156 is 482Lx170Wx240H where as the champion is 410x177x225. The battery compartment in my boat is 830 long so I have room for the 2 champion batteries but not the exide batteries. The R155and the C156 would have pretty much the same capacity as they are both stated as the 20hr rating but the champion is stated as the 10hr rating so still unsure which one has the largest capacity.

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

Trouble is when wired togeter to give 12v I will only have 225amps available compared to my current 310

 

[alldodge]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

The dimensional sizing is different with every battery I find in NZ and AU. I'm only guessing but the amount of differences between them appears to me to be minimal if that. Wasn't able to find the C156 only who makes it and that could be just in the USA only. Champion may have another battery manufacture in your country.

I'm on my first set of lifeline batteries and so far they are lasting longer then others but this will have size issues for you also. Wish I could be of more help

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

The dimensional sizing is different with every battery I find in NZ and AU. I'm only guessing but the amount of differences between them appears to me to be minimal if that. Wasn't able to find the C156 only who makes it and that could be just in the USA only. Champion may have another battery manufacture in your country.

I'm on my first set of lifeline batteries and so far they are lasting longer then others but this will have size issues for you also. Wish I could be of more help

Thanks anyway. I may have to stick with what I have yet. They work well but as they are getting to the stage of needing replacing I thought I would go to AGM if possible.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

the R155 is 155 amp/hrs at the 20hr rate. The batteries I am looking at getting are Champion C12V156. The info on these are 156 amp/hr at the 100 hr rate or 120amp/hr at the 10hr rate. What I need to know is what has the greater capacity.

The R155and the C156 would have pretty much the same capacity as they are both stated as the 20hr rating but the champion is stated as the 10hr rating so still unsure which one has the largest capacity.

The slower a battery is discharged, the more output it can deliver. IE: Champion's 156 amp/hour output at the 100 hour rate VS their 120 amp/hour output at the 10 hour rate.

Looks like the R155 "could" deliver more power since it will deliver the same output (155 amp/hour VS 156 amp/hour) at the 20hr rate, compared to Champion's battery at the 100 hour rate.

What would the R155 deliver at the 100 amp/hour rate? I'm not sure.... But I would guess it would be far better than Champion's rating.

 

[Skybreeze]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

The slower a battery is discharged, the more output it can deliver. IE: Champion's 156 amp/hour output at the 100 hour rate VS their 120 amp/hour output at the 10 hour rate.

Looks like the R155 "could" deliver more power since it will deliver the same output (155 amp/hour VS 156 amp/hour) at the 20hr rate, compared to Champion's battery at the 100 hour rate.

What would the R155 deliver at the 100 amp/hour rate? I'm not sure.... But I would guess it would be far better than Champion's rating.

I have been thinking along the same lines as you. There is a formula to convert from one to the other if the battery manufacturers give the Peuquet ratio but most don't. I'm picking the R155 will have the most capacity.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Which deep cycle batteries have the greater capacity

Trouble is when wired togeter to give 12v I will only have 225amps available compared to my current 310

Uhhhh...my brain wasn't working. Of course!