12v Outdoor Supply

[mattcaney]

Hi, Can you let me know what you use for a 12v Supply for outdoor off road racing.

I know 12v Car type battery, but any particular model and type.

I appreciate with modern Lipo Batteries you do not require so much from the 12v supply as charging time is less due to cells lasting longer with brushless etc.

Thanks

Matt

[Ben The Bike]

I charge stuff at the track using my motorbikes battery, so long as I leave the engine running to keep the bikes battery charged

[JonyNitro]

At least 100 ah deep cycle leisure battery, eBay quite a few.

[RobW]

If you are going to buy new then a leisure battery designed for camping/marine use is ideal as they are designed for a longer discharge cycle that we put them under whilst charging. Look around and you can generally get a 100ah one for £50-60 quite easily. Camping shops are sometimes good and occasionally even Halfords have some good deals. I seem to remember I got my last one on-line somewhere with free postage which seemed good as the thing weighed a bit! You will need a proper charger for one of these - don't use a normal 12V car battery charger as you will kill it fairly quickly, (£10 from ebay) otherwise you should get a few years out of it.

However if you can get hold of a very cheap/free 12V car/van battery that someone is trying to get rid off then that can be a good cheap shorter term option.

Rob

[andrewc]

I buy 12v batteries form the scrap yard ("recycling centre!") for £10 a go; last one I bought is a van battery and like new, going strong. They have to 'drop test' them (voltage I think) to make sure they're suitable for recycling, so you know you're getting a decent battery. (Ask if it's been tested to be sure.)

Leisure battery is better long term but at £10 per battery maybe try a car one first and see how long it lasts.

[jrenton]

Or get a cheap generator. I got mine from Screwfix, its quiet and suitable for a few people to share too.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/impax-im800i-700w-inverter-generator-230v/15760