duncagr

Member
Hi All.

I have a duel battery set-up in my 90 and at the time I just stuck an old 12V 40Ah battery in as the 2nd cell as I had it lying around the garage.

I've just been offered (free of charge) 4 of these: http://www.portablepower.com/EnerSys-DataSafe-12HX80R-FR and wondered if anyone with good knowledge of batteries would know if they would be well suited. I thought of putting 4 of them together to give me a 12V 64Ah which would be a little upgrade on current setup.

There's nothing wrong with current setup - the only reason I'm thinking of changing is because THEY'RE FREE and otherwise they'll just gather dust.

Any help much appreciated

Gordon
 
You don't want to do that. Those are "gel-cell" batteries and really aren't suited to the heavy drain and hard recharge cycle of automotive use.

Loevely cells for use in a caravan where you deep discharge and recharge or a UPS (which is likely where they're from) but not for starting.

Alan
 
Hi All.

I have a duel battery set-up in my 90 and at the time I just stuck an old 12V 40Ah battery in as the 2nd cell as I had it lying around the garage.

I've just been offered (free of charge) 4 of these: http://www.portablepower.com/EnerSys-DataSafe-12HX80R-FR and wondered if anyone with good knowledge of batteries would know if they would be well suited. I thought of putting 4 of them together to give me a 12V 64Ah which would be a little upgrade on current setup.

There's nothing wrong with current setup - the only reason I'm thinking of changing is because THEY'RE FREE and otherwise they'll just gather dust.

Any help much appreciated

Gordon
Never seen those before, but they look pretty similar to a Yuasa motorbike battery. And they do say, lead acid rechargeable on them, so same type of battery as in a car. I don't see any logical reason why it shouldn't work.
 
Not really, Multiple smaller batteries will give lower deep cycle Leisure ability not CCA (COLD CRANKING AMPS) you are likely to need.

If you look at the model

Product Description
The DataSafe HX 12HX80 is a high-efficiency, UL and IATA-approved battery. Part of the the EnerSys DataSafe HX series, the HX 12HX80 demonstrates very little gas evolution, making it appropriate for use in low-ventilation environments. This powerful battery can be used safely in offices, cabinets, or in close proximity to equipment, and is well suited for providing backup power to vital systems.

The DataSafe HX 12HX80’s front terminal scales to larger kVA (kilovolt-ampere) systems, including 550, 800, and 925 watts per cell (WPC). All DataSafe HX batteries have a decade-long lifespan and are at 100% initial battery capacity upon first discharge. Use the DataSafe HX 12HX80 with the optional flame-repellant case and cover, as well as a Front Terminal DataSafe cabinet, for exceptional energy density and protection.
 
You don't want to do that. Those are "gel-cell" batteries and really aren't suited to the heavy drain and hard recharge cycle of automotive use.

Loevely cells for use in a caravan where you deep discharge and recharge or a UPS (which is likely where they're from) but not for starting.

Alan

Not really, Multiple smaller batteries will give lower deep cycle Leisure ability not CCA (COLD CRANKING AMPS) you are likely to need.

If you look at the model

Product Description
The DataSafe HX 12HX80 is a high-efficiency, UL and IATA-approved battery. Part of the the EnerSys DataSafe HX series, the HX 12HX80 demonstrates very little gas evolution, making it appropriate for use in low-ventilation environments. This powerful battery can be used safely in offices, cabinets, or in close proximity to equipment, and is well suited for providing backup power to vital systems.

The DataSafe HX 12HX80’s front terminal scales to larger kVA (kilovolt-ampere) systems, including 550, 800, and 925 watts per cell (WPC). All DataSafe HX batteries have a decade-long lifespan and are at 100% initial battery capacity upon first discharge. Use the DataSafe HX 12HX80 with the optional flame-repellant case and cover, as well as a Front Terminal DataSafe cabinet, for exceptional energy density and protection.

I had assumed he was going to use them like caravan batteries. To provide capacity to run equipment without discharging the battery needed to start the vehicle.
If it is for starting, I agree, not a good idea! :)
 
Nice to see we're in strenuous agreement, then. :) For offline power for things other than a winch (see starting battery==bad idea) these would be ideal.

In my caravan (but remember I'm a technogeek) I have an AGM battery - basically the sameas an Optima deep-cycle but industrial.
 
Hi guys, thanks for the replies. Yes these are from a UPS system, surplus to requirements, and I would only be using them for auxillary power (12V electric blanket, 2 x USB points for phone etc, LED night light etc). I have a split charge relay system so these would be isolated from the main battery - the relay is triggered from the alternator so only connects the batteries when engine is running.
 
Sorry just read my 1st post and can see I wasn't really clear that these are being considered for use as a leisure battery in my Landy.
 
Re: Leisure use:

Go for it - for that they will be more than fine. Personally I'm not sure the charging will be ideal because the rate of charge on these needs to be low, but the split charge adapter I would expect should keep the charge to a moderate value.

The big issue with using a battery of this type in an automotive application is the gel electrolyte - unlike liquid electrolyte it doesn't flow when the plates get warm (high charge/discharge) - it pockets and the batteries lose capacity/get warm. Too much of that and you have a round object that used to be a battery.
 
Just an update...went for it and installed 4 of these cells as a leisure "cell". Just back from a 2 week trip up the West coast of Scotland and it all worked perfectly, ran a 230V fridge most of the trip (switched off at night when cooler), charged phones, cameras etc at night via a USB/12V Socket installed at the rear light cover and ran a 12V electric blanket on the cold nights! Oh, and the rear work light is on the 2nd battery too and it was used when setting up camp each night until the midges appeared!!

Thanks for all the advice as always.
 

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