Has anyone successfully used a deep cycle marine battery to recharge in the field? Seeking a feasible option without breaking the bank.
I believe Gary Haynes did, but, based on what he said, I went with a Honda EU2000i generator. Best price I found in the USA was $999.99 at http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...tDetail/Generators/prod999901363338/cat100893 The problem with the battery was that it just didn't store enough capacity. Andy.
I had a deep cycle marine battery. 115AH biggest thing that Walmart sells that I was using in my summer art shows for LED power. Running my Hyperion in the only test that I did it dropped to 65% capacity after charging 2 FF 9000's. Went back to my generator.
Hi Chris. I charge in the field very regularly from a 12V battery. I use the Hyperion 720i chargers (sometimes one sometimes two). Since my boat is not getting a lot of use these days I grabbed one of my spare batteries (Interstate 27M XHD). It can out put 25 amps for 180 minutes. Since I am careful about not running my QC 8000s too low before landing, I can get at least 8 charges in the field from one battery. There are certainly other batteries with more capacity out there, but these were less than $150 and I already had some of them around. I also don't charge my batteries very quickly so the 25 amp availabilty easily covers me when charging 2-4 batteries at a time. I have had no problems at all and prefer hauling a battery around over a generator. Of course I don't have unlimited capacity like a generator could provide, but I do have a second battery if I ever thought I was going to use that many in a day - and physical space is a factor for me so the battery option was just a better fit. In my helium balloon days of doing aerial photography I have used a Bass Pro brand battery (175 series) to power a big Talen series SuperWinch that put the balloon up and pulled it back down. It had a 75 amp draw so I always had 2 batteries with me for that and the Bass Pro batteries held up quite well. I forget how they compare in price to the Interstate batteries, but have been very happy with the Interstate brand.
Thanks guys. I have a battery, so I'll give it a shot. But the generator sounds like the way to go for multiple recharges.
Chris - we use a deep-cycle marine battery all the time. We get about 8-10 charges of 8000 mAh batteries with it. Very handy to take along on shoots to keep some additional flight batteries rolling.
The EU2000i is just about perfect for our needs. I love it. I do wish it were just a bit smaller. The 1000 is tempting for its size and weight but not quite enough 'oomph. Chris, if you do get a battery please keep us posted. It's interesting to hear that guys are using those. Wonder how the weight compares between a 2000 and a marine batt? I think a 2000 is about 50lbs. nick
Nick a series 29 Deep Cycle Marine battery is typically about 65 lbs. mine is heavier than the HONDA eu20000i
Chris - Its a Napa marine/ deep cycle battery. Weighs 42 lbs and gives us 8-10 field charges of 8000mAh packs. Cost about $115 USD. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NBE8240_0353642550
Most people don't charge/discharge Deep Cycle batteries properly. They need bulk, absorption and float charging. Once a month I equalize charge also. It takes 24 hours to properly charge one. They should also be deep discharged to about 60% capacity after each use or it will shorten their performance/life quickly. it is very hard on them to charge just a few batteries and then recharge them. I perform an equalization charge once a month also. I run two in series to power my I-charger at 24v.