Re: batteries

[Kevin Page <kbpage@richmond.infi.net>]

My Fairmont has an alternator but I have had your experience with
Sheffield/FM equipment.  The decision is yours, but here is my logic.  I
feel that if you only run reserve power, the two should be separate.  The
ignition power is necessary to run the car while headlights are not as
essential.  On my Sheffield 41, circa late teens or early 20's, I have a six
volt running the two buzz coils and a twelve volt running, yes Oh God, the
temporary stop light and head/tails that I voluntarily put on for safety for
when I run with two or more cars.  A just in case back up on board is a
resister with clip leads for the twelve volt for the coils just if the six
drops out.  A flashlight and fusee are along for night runs also as back
up.  If you want to be creative, I have seen small 12 volt batteries with a
hole drilled in the the top of the case and the center buss tapped with a
screw to give you two six volt batteries in one case for the ignition.  Very
small six volt batteries are somewhat hard to find and the big ones may be
too heavy for your liking.  The split 12 process seems to fit the ticket and
is a lot less weight than a tractor six that is most common to find.
Consult Jim Baird at <JRBaird@erols.com> for input and track record on the
split 12 idea.

Battery life is hard to determine as time goes on.  Motorcars are terrors on
busses and plate connections.  Caking settles in the bottom and begins to
eat at available resources.  It only took one time for me to be left dead in
the dark with no lights and no ignition to see that two is better than one.

Kevin Page
kbpage@richmond.infi.net

Don Neale wrote:

> I have been looking around for a 6v battery, and wondered if there would
> be advantages or disadvantages to having a deep cycle six volt battery (
> running only the buzz box) as opposed to a standard 6v basttery, or a
> 12v and resistor.  I am not running an alternator or generator as of
> yet; that will be next years project if it becomes necessary.  Also, do
> you need a deep cycle charger to charge a deep cycle battery?  I thought
> I might stick a 12v basttery next to the 6v to run stoplights and a
> headlight if I mount one.
>                                 Don Neale
>                                 dbneale@airmail.net