Charging At Goshen/Outdoors

[Cremegg]

Hi

If a generator is way out of budget. Is a car battery sufficient for charging?

Either from the car with the bonnet open? And if so, would the engine need to be kept running so the car battery doesn't discharge too much?

Thanks

[Si Coe]

Most people just charge off their cars battery. If its just the one person, and they don't use many packs there is no need to keep starting the engine unless the battery is knackered.
Personally though I use an old car battery which I charge at home. Means I don't need to worry about my car not starting, and if need be I can pit away from my car - something to consider at a busy meeting if you are parked some way away.
Very small genny's can be pretty cheap. Also Howler uses a small leisure battery which is good for a few charges and is no bigger than a transmitter - handy for traveling light.
My 12V is dying so I reckon I'll get one of those too.

There is some 240V available but right now its off the genny that powers race control so its emergency only.

[Cremegg]

Ok thanks Si

I assume you can keep the car running idle while your charging to to prevent the battery going flat?

And thanks again for Sunday and lending my mate the battery for the rental car...he does apologise for breaking the bulkhead too

[Col]

Originally Posted by Cremegg

Ok thanks Si

I assume you can keep the car running idle while your charging to to prevent the battery going flat?

And thanks again for Sunday and lending my mate the battery for the rental car...he does apologise for breaking the bulkhead too

As Si said - unless your 1:1 car battery is knackered you don't need to start it. I've seen a car battery keep 2 racers going all day without being run with no problems

[Gavin Collingwood]

I use my 12v golf trolley battery you can buy these from golf shops

[The race controller]

Originally Posted by Gavin Collingwood

I use my 12v golf trolley battery you can buy these from golf shops

Do you mean like this one Gav?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lucas-AGM-...6503%26ps%3D54

[Gavin Collingwood]

Yeah but mine is a 36 hole battery, they work a treat and mine has a bag with a handle so is perfect

[Cremegg]

How much charges do you get out of the golf cart battery for a days racing and how do you charge the battery?

[Gavin Collingwood]

I don't know as mine has never ran out on me so far, so plenty of charges. They usually come with a charger or you can get them on eBay

[losichris]

Originally Posted by Gavin Collingwood

I don't know as mine has never ran out on me so far, so plenty of charges. They usually come with a charger or you can get them on eBay

gav, could you recommend a shop nearby i can purchase such battery/charger?

[rapidrubberwill]

the best thing i find for charging batterys 12v is a motor bike charger/ maintainerwhen you finished racing plug it in it will charge the battery up then maintain the battery next time you go racing unplug you know it will always stay charged thats how i do it with my bike end of summer plug it in when the summer comes round again starts first time or just bring some jump leads if your car battery goes flatish get a jump start by the time you get home its charged again

[Maddy]

i use 1 of theses
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-USER-8...-OUTPUT-850W-/

[Maddy]

try this 1 instead
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...generator-g720

[dougher]

Would charging be needed if I had two 5100 mah lipos? I have no idea how much drain you get racing outside. I managed over 20 min with one battery on sunday, didn't get the charger out!

[Si Coe]

Depends on how busy it is, what the weather is like and how long it stays light.
On a long sunny day in the height of summer we can be racing till late if we want, so there can be 5 or even 6 rounds of qualifying, and finals up to 8 minutes long.
Be a shame to miss out!

[Gavin Collingwood]

Chris, try eBay, either that or either direct golf in bury or American golf Trafford or Bolton, they'd have them

[Howler]

All you need is a 12ah 12v deep discharge lead acid battery, there's a website i got mine from for about £20, i'll try and find it.

Remember, a 5000mah 7.4v lipo is 37wh
A 12ah 12v battery 144wh

Almost 4 full charges, but realistically, you're never gonna drain a 5000, even with 4wd in a 7 minute final. I find 2wd buggies typically take about 1500-2000mah in a 5 minutes race. So the 12ah battery will do you for 10 races, more if you arrive with fully charged lipos.

I've never run mine even near flat in a meeting.