Linwood
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2022
- Messages
- 18
Hi. New here, and I hope it is OK to ask about just batteries and not solar.
I do occasional astronomy from dark sites without power. I set up a Group 27 Lead Acid deep cycle battery and for a while it was adequate, but I am reaching the point where my nightly usage is way over what it can provide. Due mostly to imaging in a swamp (Florida, US) I have a lot of dew strips to keep equipment clear, and it plus computer and router and such add up to about 7-8A draw at 12(ish) volts, and since Florida winters are when I image, that's about 12-14 hours (to allow some set up time and tear down).
So if I should draw 50-60ah from the battery I'm pushing double that. I got low voltage alarms the last time by about midnight.
I do not want to build my own battery from cells (I have too many incomplete projects already).
I'm looking at pre-made 150ah LiFePO4 batteries. I could drop them into my current battery box I think literally without modification. The existing meter I have on it is a watt hour meter, so I think I can use that for a SOC indicator (vs voltage), and I think it physically fits. I should be able to draw 90-100ah from it on a full night without issue, and I would return home and be able to recharge at leisure (or even if remote would find power and do so at 20A or so with plenty of time even if I image the next night).
200ah batteries are a lot larger and I think bigger than I need; 100ah is cutting it too close I think. Using two or more to combine seems a complication I do not need, plus makes using a battery box for transport a bit more complicated.
So first question: Is that a sane approach?
150ah pre-made are less readily available, but I found one from Eco-Worthy that is relatively inexpensive. I cannot find many reviews, but what I find is not bad. Anyone have any specific thoughts on that?
Or a recommendation of others?
The Battleborn (as an example, but some well known brands also) is about 2.5x as expensive. Reviews indicate it has better waterproofing and cold charge protection, neither are really an issue for me.
Most (seemingly) independent youtube reviews focus on Chins, Zooms, and a few others, I can find none for this. Or any 150ah ones (other than Battleborn and similar).
So... I welcome any general guidance.
Linwood
I do occasional astronomy from dark sites without power. I set up a Group 27 Lead Acid deep cycle battery and for a while it was adequate, but I am reaching the point where my nightly usage is way over what it can provide. Due mostly to imaging in a swamp (Florida, US) I have a lot of dew strips to keep equipment clear, and it plus computer and router and such add up to about 7-8A draw at 12(ish) volts, and since Florida winters are when I image, that's about 12-14 hours (to allow some set up time and tear down).
So if I should draw 50-60ah from the battery I'm pushing double that. I got low voltage alarms the last time by about midnight.
I do not want to build my own battery from cells (I have too many incomplete projects already).
I'm looking at pre-made 150ah LiFePO4 batteries. I could drop them into my current battery box I think literally without modification. The existing meter I have on it is a watt hour meter, so I think I can use that for a SOC indicator (vs voltage), and I think it physically fits. I should be able to draw 90-100ah from it on a full night without issue, and I would return home and be able to recharge at leisure (or even if remote would find power and do so at 20A or so with plenty of time even if I image the next night).
200ah batteries are a lot larger and I think bigger than I need; 100ah is cutting it too close I think. Using two or more to combine seems a complication I do not need, plus makes using a battery box for transport a bit more complicated.
So first question: Is that a sane approach?
150ah pre-made are less readily available, but I found one from Eco-Worthy that is relatively inexpensive. I cannot find many reviews, but what I find is not bad. Anyone have any specific thoughts on that?
Or a recommendation of others?
The Battleborn (as an example, but some well known brands also) is about 2.5x as expensive. Reviews indicate it has better waterproofing and cold charge protection, neither are really an issue for me.
Most (seemingly) independent youtube reviews focus on Chins, Zooms, and a few others, I can find none for this. Or any 150ah ones (other than Battleborn and similar).
So... I welcome any general guidance.
Linwood