Getting ready for the upcoming hurricane season here in FL and wanting to
develop an affordable power backup for my radio desk in the inevitable event
of a power outtage. I have 3 brand new 12-volt automotive batteries -
unused - in my garage. How would I go about wiring to power 4 scanners and a
shortwave? All suggestions/directions appreciated.

K

Put all three batteries in parrallel - i.e. connect a wire from the positive
terminal of the first battery to the positive terminal of the second
battery, and then to the positive terminal of the third. Do the same with
the negative terminals. With a multi meter you should see about 12-14
volts - if it is any more then you have not connected the batteries
correctly.
To ensure that the batteries remain charged, connect a charger to the
batteries (only one needed as the wiring above will ensure that the other
two batteries are also charged up) - unless you are using the batteries, you
will only need a relatively low current trickle charger to ensure that they
are all kept topped up.
I have a number of smaller gelcell batteries (between 7 and 24 AH in size)
that I use in a similar fashion. Works well for me. One additional thing,
I also have a small solar panel (about 35W) that I can also use when there
is no mains power to recharge the batteries (and you don't want to waste
fuel running the car). You can also get some small generators (around the
850W size) for very cheap prices (have seen them for as low as $50) - not a
bad idea for provision of emergency power, and can also be used to recharge
your batteries. However, your three batteries should well and truly last
for the time that it takes to get mains power back up and running, but it
always pays to be prepared.
My power distribution consists of a small homemade power bar connected to
the batteries. It is a plastic box with two strips running the length of the
box which are connected by wires to the batteries. From the metal strips I
have a number of terminals that the power cables from the radio gear are
plugged into. Hard to explain it without piccies, but no can do as almost
all my gear is in storage while I am in the process of moving house!
Bit of a rambling dissertation, but hopefully you understand it - if not,
query away.



Matt

"DX99" wrote in message
news:Ocane.16813$tv3.6440@trnddc06...
Getting ready for the upcoming hurricane season here in FL and wanting to
develop an affordable power backup for my radio desk in the inevitable
event
of a power outtage. I have 3 brand new 12-volt automotive batteries -
unused - in my garage. How would I go about wiring to power 4 scanners and
a
shortwave? All suggestions/directions appreciated.

K

First thing, you have to be very careful with car batteries in your home!
Normally, for backup, you would use sealed GelCel batteries. Some car
batteries are vented, and release Hydrogen gas while charging. Here is a
link that explains what can happen!

http://www.rayvaughan.com/battery_safety.htm

They make battery boxes with safety straps, to help contain such an event,
but I still wouldn't recommend it. You'd be better off selling the
batteries you have, and buying some GelCels.

Lark Battery sells GelCels on eBay, and is reasonable. I just purchase a
couple to rebuilt my UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), for my computer
room.

Bill Crocker


"DX99" wrote in message
news:Ocane.16813$tv3.6440@trnddc06...
Getting ready for the upcoming hurricane season here in FL and wanting to
develop an affordable power backup for my radio desk in the inevitable
event
of a power outtage. I have 3 brand new 12-volt automotive batteries -
unused - in my garage. How would I go about wiring to power 4 scanners and
a
shortwave? All suggestions/directions appreciated.

K

Great info guys! Thanks very much. Have decided to trade my auto batteries
for some gel-cell marine batteries, a local guy here will give me 2 for 3,
not a bad deal. I also have a huge solar panel setup on my roof to heat my
pool, which I dont even use. I'm new to this, would you recommend
configuring the solar panels for backup? Would that be better? More
affordable? The gel batteries would be for individual radios - ie, the BC780
and the 2006, 895, and 245. But I would also like to run backup (beyond UPS
system) for my shortwaves (R-75, R71) and 2 Dell computers, a fridge and TV.
Think I could convert enough energy for all of that from the solar pool
panels?

"DX99" wrote in message
news:K_jne.10332$Vm4.8307@trnddc01...
Great info guys! Thanks very much. Have decided to trade my auto batteries
for some gel-cell marine batteries, a local guy here will give me 2 for 3,
not a bad deal. I also have a huge solar panel setup on my roof to heat my
pool, which I dont even use. I'm new to this, would you recommend
configuring the solar panels for backup? Would that be better? More
affordable? The gel batteries would be for individual radios - ie, the
BC780
and the 2006, 895, and 245. But I would also like to run backup (beyond
UPS
system) for my shortwaves (R-75, R71) and 2 Dell computers, a fridge and
TV.
Think I could convert enough energy for all of that from the solar pool
panels?

If you are planning on using the batteries inside your house, then it is a
very good idea to use gelcell type batteries rather than automotive
batteries. Sounds like you are getting a pretty good deal with the
exchange.
As to your solar setp. Not sure, but I suspect that the solar heating for
your pool is different to the solar generation of electrical power. Solar
heating of pools usually (in my experience anyway) usually involves the
pumping of the water up to the roof of the house where the water passes
through small black pipes with the resultant heat transfer from the sun's
radiation to the water. Solar power generation is different and is the
direct conversion of sunlight to electricity whereby light striking solar
cells is converted into electrical energy.
Your solar heating for the pool may use solar panels to create electricity
to then power an electrical heater for heating the water, (similar to some
hot water units for houses). I am not an expert, but if this is the case, I
would not advise you to play around with the wiring inside the system to
jerry rig a charging system for your batteries.
Solar electricity is DC (Direct Current), and most panels that I played
around with are setup for about 15-19 volts at between two and six amps max.
This is fine for charging batteries but not the best for running your comms
gear directly (most radios don't like much more than about 16 volts). Few
household electrical appliances will run off DC, particularly 12v - in the
US you use 110/120V (one or the other, cannot remember which) AC power.
Assuming you put some solar panels on your roof, you would need to store the
power in batteries, and then use it to power your other gear. To run your
computers, fridge and TV, you would need to rectify the 12v DC from your
batteries to 110/120V AC power using an inverter.
I don't know how much power that your two computers, fridge and TV would
take to run, but I suspect quite a bit (fridge the most I am guessing). The
size of the inverter that you would need would probably be in excess of 2000
watts. Not cheap, and on top of that, with only two batteries to power it,
you woud end up with flat batteries before long.
A friend of mine lives out in the bush and is not on mains power, therefore
relies on the generation of power from solar panels - he has about 1500W of
solar panels and a large deep cycle battery bank (about the equivalent of
100 standard automotive batteries) and even then, there are times that he
needs to start the generator up to recharge the batteries.
In your case, yes the batteries (plus panel would be even better) will work
well for the radios, but are not necessarily the best option for the fridge,
TV and computers. If you want to still be able to run the other gear, look
at a generator.




Matt

Typically, the solar panels for the pool don't generate electricity -- that's WAY too
inefficient -- they simply heat the water which goes through them. There are exceptions, though.

Near where in FL are you?

Capt. Purple


"DX99" wrote in message news:K_jne.10332$Vm4.8307@trnddc01...
Great info guys! Thanks very much. Have decided to trade my auto batteries
for some gel-cell marine batteries, a local guy here will give me 2 for 3,
not a bad deal. I also have a huge solar panel setup on my roof to heat my
pool, which I dont even use. I'm new to this, would you recommend
configuring the solar panels for backup? Would that be better? More
affordable? The gel batteries would be for individual radios - ie, the BC780
and the 2006, 895, and 245. But I would also like to run backup (beyond UPS
system) for my shortwaves (R-75, R71) and 2 Dell computers, a fridge and TV.
Think I could convert enough energy for all of that from the solar pool
panels?

Ok thanks for the info - I am in north Pasco County - the boonies above
Tampa Bay.

"Capt. Purple" wrote in message
...
Typically, the solar panels for the pool don't generate electricity --
that's WAY too
inefficient -- they simply heat the water which goes through them. There
are exceptions, though.

Near where in FL are you?

Capt. Purple


"DX99" wrote in message
news:K_jne.10332$Vm4.8307@trnddc01...
Great info guys! Thanks very much. Have decided to trade my auto
batteries
for some gel-cell marine batteries, a local guy here will give me 2 for
3,
not a bad deal. I also have a huge solar panel setup on my roof to heat
my
pool, which I dont even use. I'm new to this, would you recommend
configuring the solar panels for backup? Would that be better? More
affordable? The gel batteries would be for individual radios - ie, the
BC780
and the 2006, 895, and 245. But I would also like to run backup (beyond
UPS
system) for my shortwaves (R-75, R71) and 2 Dell computers, a fridge and
TV.
Think I could convert enough energy for all of that from the solar pool
panels?

As someone else, powering all those things with a couple of deep cycle
batteries wont work well. With a big inverter they will probably be flat in
about 20 minutes powering up all those things. If you dont want to go with a
generater, then perhaps you should consider replacing the computers with a
laptop (and purchasing a car adaptor so it will run of 12V), for TV you can
get one of those mini-lcd tv's that run off AA batteries. Then just get
another car adaptor and run the tv off the deepcycle batteries. Doing it
this way will give you many hours out of those batteries before they get too
deeply discharged to be useful. I cant think of any easy way to power a
fridge without a generator though.

Also another safety tip to keep in mind is that make sure you put a fuse or
circuit breaker on these batteries. With two deep cycle bats in parallel a
short circuit will mean about 1000amps of current flow, and you can bet
whatever shorted out and is now trying to handle that is going to explode.
It wont be pretty.

"DX99" wrote in message
news:K_jne.10332$Vm4.8307@trnddc01...
Great info guys! Thanks very much. Have decided to trade my auto batteries
for some gel-cell marine batteries, a local guy here will give me 2 for 3,
not a bad deal. I also have a huge solar panel setup on my roof to heat my
pool, which I dont even use. I'm new to this, would you recommend
configuring the solar panels for backup? Would that be better? More
affordable? The gel batteries would be for individual radios - ie, the
BC780
and the 2006, 895, and 245. But I would also like to run backup (beyond
UPS
system) for my shortwaves (R-75, R71) and 2 Dell computers, a fridge and
TV.
Think I could convert enough energy for all of that from the solar pool
panels?