So with the separate 12v system at my house I`m curious what batteries I should get, and what I should get to make sure they stay charged and good while grid power is active.

-Todd

Store said batteries carefully. I think I remember this topic from past thread. Several folks mentioned a specific type of battery that should not off-gas Hydrogen. (Hindenburg Syndrome: very tough on the system, right?)

I use a small solar system to charge if dry camping in an area that forbids generators.

Try researching with some solar websites, or search this site's forums as I seem to remember much to do about this very subject from the past.

Also, see the Storing Propane thread that was going earlier today. It serves to show why one must be very careful with gasses that go bang inside the home. (very sad story)

Hi, I appreciate the post but I have posted in all those threads you mentioned

I am looking specifically for a system that maintains my batteries charge connected to the grid, and then when no power from the grid I can use my 12v batteries on my 12v system (Separate than the grid system completely).

I think using a car battery trickle charger may not be the ideal way to keep my batteries ready for usage in winter power-outage.

Since I don't want to do solar (yet) or convert from 12v to 110v I just need a way to keep them charged/ready when power is on

Also, looking for battery suggestions. I will ONLY be using these to power lights in the house but I could be w/out power for a week at a time.

-Todd

http://www.affordable-solar.com/batteries.alive.htm

Solar specific but I think conceptually accurate.....

Real Goods also has scads of info............

"...I think using a car battery trickle charger..."

I'd suggest that you go to a good RV service center and talk to them...

I've been reading Home Power magazine for years as part of my emergency prep. They provide a continuous review of solar and battery systems, and have a ton of information on technical specifics.

http://www.homepower.com/home/

Incidentally, I just swapped out batteries in our club radio repeaters, and looked at the backup charger that we use. The repeater radios draw 12 volts, and needed a way for the repeater power supply to fail over to battery power. Whoever designed the system installed Samlex BBM-12100 units. This takes the incoming power supply feed, passes it through to the powered unit, and charges the attached batteries at the same time. If the power supply shuts off, the batteries are seamlessly connected to the load.

http://www.samlexamerica.com/customer_support/pdf/Manuals/BBM-12100_Manual_Jun2005.pdf

That's a pretty typical configuration. BTW, when referring to elecrical systems, draw relates to current, not voltage. Think of voltage like you would think of pressure, and current like you would flow rate.

I need to feed 110v to 12v charger to maintain the batteries. I won't have a 12-1xv from solar or wind... From what I read that BBM-12100 wont work with a 110v line..

I second the RV store recommendation- when you're hooked to shore power the coach charges the batteries, so their inverters are obviously designed for 12v and 110v, right?

Maybe? Could use a power source like a computer that converts 110 to 12v... I`ll google it more

In order to maintain a seldom used battery in good condition, there are two options.

The first one is to install a PV module and charge controller, a relativly small module will suffice since the intention is not to recharge a flat battery, but merely to counteract self discharge.

The second choice is to purchase a line powered battery charger that is fully regulated and suitable for continous operation.
A constant voltage float charger is preferable to a three stage unit for this purpose.
The drawback of a line powered charger is the continuall small power useage which will increase your electricity bill.

Whichever option is chosen, you will also need a high capacity line powered charger to fully recharge the battery after a grid failure.

Traditional flooded lead acid batteries produce hydrogen when on charge, and therefore some experts state that they should never be used in living accomadation.
The amount of hydrogen produced is very small, provided the batteries are not overcharged, and IMHO one or two small batteries can be used indoors, provided that smoking, sparks and flames are kept away from the immediate area.
Remember that until very recently, disabled people used electric wheelchairs with flooded lead acid batteries. These were normally charged and used indoors without accident.
Also many domestic garages are used as workshops, without the vehicle battery being considered a risk.

Sealed batteries dont produce hydrogen in normal use, but may do so in case of failure or misuse.

I'm looking at this myself. I want to use a solar charge controller, it takes 12-15v in and regulates it and mnitors the battery charge. Gte one with a low voltage disocnnect output. Normally this is used to open a relay to disconnect the batteries from the load, but instead of that use it to switch the input from solar to line power. So if the solar or whatever can't keep up with the batteries the lvd output turns on the line supply.

Right...

Part of our mission at Hanford included building a portable trunked repeater system for use in case the main and secondary site went down, or if we needed extended coverage and/or mutual aid support. We built the system on a flatbed trailer with all the goodies housed in a big poly coated steel box. We had a battery bank capable of keeping the whole system up and running for 72 hours, with a nominal power consumption 350 watts. We used deep cycle batteries as opposed to automotive type because we did not plan on running the system in a constant charge mode. We used a Marine Charger/maintainer to keep the batteries at full optimization while on standby, which was most of the time. The unit cost about $500 and was pretty smart about how to keep those batteries in prime condition. I believe Xantrex makes some of the best charger/maintainers on the market these days. Deep cycles are great for when you need to run on batteries for a long period between charges. Automotive batteries work better when you running in a constant charge mode (as with wind and solar generators, or floating the batteries on a live circuit). Deep cycles like to be fully discharged every so often, and the system we used took care of all that to keep the batteries in perfect condition.

I have seen a recommendation of golf cart batteries. I am told that they are deeper cycling than other batteries. The draw back is they are 6 volt so you have to use them in pairs with each pair wired in series and then parlled to addtional pairs.

Oh, there are hundreds of different battery configurations one could try. Ultimately it pays to do some research, determine what you need, and shop around a little. Golf cart batteries, like most others, are built for a purpose, and may not lend themselves so well to others as much as ones who were designed for an intended purpose. Yes, they will work, and maybe work quite well, but it is easy enough to find the battery that suits your needs in particular.

I have been working with a system of 3KW xantrex inverter/chargers coupled with 4 12v deep cycle batteries to power pet grooming vans. batteries are charged at night by being plugged into the grid, and by day through a big inverter on the van. They have worked all day every day for 2-3 years with no major prob;ems.

Bingo!