Mark,
I asked this same question over on the VHF Reflector a little over a
week ago.
As a result of the advice that I got, I went with #6 gauge wire directly
from the battery (with fuses right there) to the back of my SUV. There
I plugged into a West Mountain PWRGate on the "PS" Post, and then I
connected my bank of my batteries into the "Battery" post (both with
Anderson Poles). The PWRGate offers you fusing, but it also limits the
charging to 10amps. I connected all of my radio's and amplifier's
directly to the bank of batteries.
For batteries, I went with the Optima YellowTop D31 series. I got them
from a local dealer here for just under $200 each plus tax. For the
rover station, I went with a bank of four of these Optima's. Probably
overkill but didn't want to be stuck out somewhere and no power to
operate.
Good luck!
73,
Austin
K4AMK
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Battery Question
From: Mark Adams <msadams60@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, September 14, 2010 2:44 pm
To: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@mindspring.com>
Cc: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Drew,
Yes, the batteries travel in the back of the SUV but they are in battery
boxes which are tied down. I'd still feel better using the non-wet
batteries
though. I also might consider one bigger Optima vs. two smaller other
batteries to conserve room. One thing to help is to manage power better.
Due
to interstation interference issues, we run a 2M amp while mobile but
only
run 50W direct from the 100D when stopped. So on Sunday morning, my
rover
partner had the 100D at about 7W out to drive the amp but the amp was
off.
He was ripping the Qs with no trouble at all. Granted we had a great
location, a new 2M7 and good feedline. There are many times when we
could
turn power down a touch, or a lot.
The Interstate 6V batteries look line a good option in wet cell.
I have till about mid January to figure this out!
73,
Mark K2QO
FN03ra
On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 12:04 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner <
glasbrenner@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
> I've run a similar setup, but not with traditional wet cells. I recommend
> using an Optima battery if it is going in the cab, and if it has any chance
> whatsoever of being upended in an accident or in normal use. The Optimas are
> sealed, and can be used in any orientation, and seem to last much longer
> than standard wet cells. I exclusively use them for geophysical applications
> in my work.
>
> I have 2 D34Ms for our rover work, and half a dozen in rotation at work.
>
> http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/bluetop/specs.php
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Mark Adams <msadams60@gmail.com>
> >Sent: Sep 14, 2010 7:53 AM
> >To: David All <n3xudfm19@gmail.com>
> >Cc: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
> >Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Battery Question
> >
> >Dave,
> >
> >Charging could not be simpler. I have #8 conductors connected to the
> battery
> >terminals in the engine compartment of my Saturn Vue, fused at 40A near
> the
> >battery and terminated near the West Mtn 80A Rig Runner in the back in
> >PowerPoles, standard small ones with 45A pins. The two deep cycle
> batteries
> >are paralleled and a connector harness with PowerPoles then connects to
> the
> >engine compartment "charging" system.
> >
> >We used to run a custom designed box that would limit current, monitor
> >voltage and cut off the charging if the engine side dipped below a preset
> >value, but all that led to too little charging. Hence the direct connect.
> >Seems that with all the wire, connections and fuses involved, we have
> enough
> >voltage drop and current limiting that this JUST works. After running a
> >rover stop for 3 hours, the voltage of the 2 deep cycle batteries will be
> >dipping to 12.0 volts. If we drive for a hundred miles, the batteries
> charge
> >up and we start the new rover spot in the high 12 range.
> >
> >Works for us. Obviously, a big diesel pickup truck with a whopper
> alternator
> >would be a better choice but the comptroller here at the QO estate may
> have
> >an issue with that!
> >
> >I've been on the verge of buying a Honda 2 kW generator to run all of
> this.
> >I know that this would provide good stiff voltage and give the vehicle
> >charging system a break, but that requires even more work/time/money.
> >
> >
> >73,
> >Mark K2QO
> >FN03ra
> >
> >
> >
> >On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 10:06 PM, David All <n3xudfm19@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Mark,
> >> Can you describe how your set up to charge your radio batts from the
> SUV.
> >> Thanks,
> >> Dave N3XUD/R
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >_______________________________________________
> >VHFcontesting mailing list
> >VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>
>
>
>
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