<div>I have noticed a few people claiming their golf-cart (6V)
batteries as having a certain amp-hour capacity. Typically the
amp-hour rating for these is around 100-120 AH each. However,
this is at 6V, which is half the power of an equivalent amp-hour
at 12V. When computing the total capacity for onboard use, the
batteries must be considered in pairs. So two 6V batteries of 100
AH each will provide 100 AH at 12V, not 200 AH. You can't simply
sum the individual capacities -- you need to divide the total by
2. Consider that these batteries are not magical. Capacity is a
function of plate area, so there won't be much difference in
terms of volume whether you go with golf-cart, 4D or 8D batteries
(of course there is plate thickness to consider, but that is
secondary). So it doesn't make sense from that standpoint to
believe you are getting this phenomenal capacity from golf-cart
batteries in half the volume of conventional marine/truck
batteries.
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batteries as having a certain amp-hour capacity. Typically the
amp-hour rating for these is around 100-120 AH each. However,
this is at 6V, which is half the power of an equivalent amp-hour
at 12V. When computing the total capacity for onboard use, the
batteries must be considered in pairs. So two 6V batteries of 100
AH each will provide 100 AH at 12V, not 200 AH. You can't simply
sum the individual capacities -- you need to divide the total by
2. Consider that these batteries are not magical. Capacity is a
function of plate area, so there won't be much difference in
terms of volume whether you go with golf-cart, 4D or 8D batteries
(of course there is plate thickness to consider, but that is
secondary). So it doesn't make sense from that standpoint to
believe you are getting this phenomenal capacity from golf-cart
batteries in half the volume of conventional marine/truck
batteries.
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