Posted: 5/2/2012 12:31:32 PM EDT
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Can I use a 12 volt lawn tractor battery for my radio in a box.
Thank You Ron |
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Depends on the amperage rating of the radio and the battery, but probably yes.
However note that batteries like that (and car batteries) are designed to dump a LOT of power, quickly (80-100 amps while cranking the starter) as opposed to releasing a smaller charge over a longer period. As a result, the life of the battery will be shortened. If you have a battery you're not using, then by all means wire it up. But if you're buying one for the purpose, get a sealed lead acid battery. You can "float" the battery with a trickle charger. Just keep the charger connected while using the radio. |
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or you can get a marine deep cycle battery at walmart. I did that as it's cheaper per amp/hour than a sealed or agm battery, however you need to exercise more caution when charging. Good point. I have a marine battery (that's probably worthless by now after sitting for months while I was out of the country) that I used a smart charger on. You need to keep wet deep cycle batteries topped off or they die. One of the benefits of a sealed battery is that they don't care if they're upright or not. Any wet cell (car battery, most deep cycle marine batteries, etc) will need to stay upright or risk leaking. Wet cells also vent hydrogen while charging and discharging, which causes problems if you want to use them indoors. Sealed batteries don't have that problem. They're also a lot more tolerant of being discharged, but you still run the risk of killing the battery if it discharges too far. |
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Can I use a 12 volt lawn tractor battery for my radio in a box. Thank You Ron I will contradict what others are saying and say no! While that entirely depends on how you are using it, and what "The Box" consists of. L&G batteries are not a sealed battery, they are vented, and they are a traditional Wet cell lead acid construction. The battery must be mounted right side up. If the battery is carried too rough or falls over you will have a pond of sulfiric acid. Also keep in mind that during the cycling of a battery,(Discharge and recharge) they will release Hydrogen and Hydrogen Sulfide gas. The gasses are explosive and also corrosive, so any metal around the batter may become corroded. Also a vented batty should never be left in a sealed container, so if the box is waterproof and contain electronics then it is not a good idea. This is one of the reasons many use AGM SLA type batteries. Although they have been known to burst when bad, the acid is contained in a glass mat, and you do not have a risk of acid spill. ETA: Most of the things were covered by Phurba above, I skimmed but did not read every word  Also note above the deep cycling of a starting type battery will lead to premature failure, and sulfating of the cells. This causes a short between the cells and the electrolytes to boil off, all the while producing Hydrogen Sulfide in a big cloud out of the vents. (The lovely smell of a battery "Gassing" rotten eggs as seen at least once a week at my work .)
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Quoted:
Can I use a 12 volt lawn tractor battery for my radio in a box.
Your radio is a Yaesu FT-60R handheld, correct? Y No. My HT is a Ft 60 R. I have a Kenwood 281. I would like to get on line. After reviewing the preceeding notes I will more than likely get a ac power supply. Thank You all for your reccomendations Best Regards Ron KB3YOJ |