Batteries

All batteries are not the same, even when they have the same voltage. Different types are designed for different uses. Your ordinary car battery is designed to deliver a lot of amps for a very short time, then be recharged by the alternator. An RV or marine battery is designed for a deep discharge, but done gradually at a low steady amp draw. If you try to use the wrong type of battery for an application, you will experience poor performance and a short cycle life.

In an electric car, you are also charging and discharging your batteries combined in a long series-connected string. Balance becomes important here. If different batteries in the pack have voltages that vary more than a slight amount, or charge at different rates, you will damage some of the batteries and shorten the life of the whole pack.

What you need is a well-matched pack of batteries that are properly suited to the job you want them to do. This is a strong reason to avoid "bargain" and house-brand batteries. Batteries from the same outlet under the same label may actually be from different production batches, and even built by different manufacturers, and have slight but significant variations.

To compare range capacity, you need to look at the battery's amp/hour rating. This is often given at the 20 hour rate, but the 1 hour rate is more relevant to electric cars, if that number is available from the manufacturer. The more amp/hours the battery has, the more range it will give you.

DC Conversions

U.S. Battery 6V & 8V Golf Cart Batteries

DC conversions generally run from 96V to 144V. They draw 100 - 150 amps while cruising, and 400 - 500 amps during acceleration. The best all-around battery for this type of conversion is the flooded lead acid 6V golf car battery. They are affordable, provide relatively long range and long cycle life (about 4 years with good care), and are durable in use.

For small cars where battery space is limited, the 8V golf car battery is the next best choice. This saves some weight and bulk in exchange for sacrificing some range capacity. But it still has much better range than a 12V battery, and the same long cycle life and durability of the 6V battery.

We recommend the U.S. Battery brand. They are a manufacturer, not merely a distributor. We have found them to have durable construction and very good performance for DC conversion. Specifically, we recommend the US-125 XC model 6V battery and the USGC8V XC.

Another advantage is that U.S. Battery will supply the "L" style posts that are preferable in conversions. These posts must be special ordered from the factory, but there is no extra charge for them. Lead time is usually only a couple of weeks. In addition, you know for a fact that your entire battery pack came from the same production run, and so is as well matched as you can get.

U.S. Battery Features

Patented speed caps allow quick access to all cells for service, but lock securely with a quick twist of the wrist, and won't vibrate loose
Extra heavy duty terminals carry heavy current loads with less resistance
"L" style terminals available by special order at no extra charge for the best lug/battery connection
Thickest plates in the industry for a long running battery
Heavy duty polypropylene case
One year warranty

U.S. Battery Specifications

Model	Volts	Amp/Hours @		Length	Width	Height (to top of "L" posts)	Weight
Model	Volts	1-Hr. Rate	20-Hr. Rate	Length	Width	Height (to top of "L" posts)	Weight
US-125 XC	6	145	242	10 1/4"	7 1/8"	10 7/8"	67 lbs.
US-8VGC XC	8	100	170	10 1/4"	7 1/8"	10 7/8"	64.5 lbs.

U.S. Battery Supplier

We do not sell flooded batteries directly, due to shipping issues. We recommend:

Jim Ramos
American Battery
3488 Arden Road
Hayward, CA 94545
Phone 510-259-1150
Fax 510-259-1160
Email americanbatterycompany@msn.com

Jim has been providing these batteries for home-built electric conversions for many years. He understands the special needs of the EV, and will be sure you get a fresh, matched pack of batteries with the RIGHT post style. His prices are very reasonable, and he can have them delivered to you almost anywhere in the country at a modest charge.

AC Conversions

Deka Dominator 12V Group 24 & Group 27 Batteries

AC systems draw much less current than DC systems. Medium voltage AC systems (144V - 156V) could use the same flooded golf cart batteries as DC systems, with a resulting significant increase in range. However, high voltage AC systems (300V - 312V) need to use 12V batteries to reduce bulk and weight.

Again, not just any 12V battery will do the job. Regular car starting batteries would not be appropriate. The Deka Dominator sealed gel battery, manufactured by East Penn, can handle the fluctuating current draws and deep discharges of EV use in an AC system. (These batteries would not be suitable for the higher current draws of a DC system.) As an added bonus, they are maintenance free.

Deka Dominator Features

Maintenance free
Low self-discharge rate of less than 2% per month
Thick gelled electrolyte & tight-pack construction eliminates damaging effects of vibration
"L" style posts available by special order for the best lug/battery connection
One year warranty

Deka Dominator Battery Specifications

Model	Volts	Amp/Hours @		Length	Width	Height	Weight
Model	Volts	1-Hr. Rate	20-Hr. Rate	Length	Width	Height	Weight
8G24M (Group 24)	12	48.5	73.6	10 7/8"	6 3/4"	9 7/8"	52.5 lbs.
8G27M (Group 27)	12	57.0	86.4	12 3/4"	6 3/4"	9 7/8"	63.2 lbs.
8G27M (Group 27)	12	64.5	97.6	12 15/16"	6 3/4"	9 3/8"	70.0 lbs.

Deka Dominator Supplier

We recommend:We recommend:

Jim Ramos
American Battery
3488 Arden Road
Hayward, CA 94545
Phone 510-259-1150
Fax 510-259-1160
Email americanbatterycompany@msn.com

Returns accepted for warranty issues ONLY, for replacement. No cash refunds.
For ordering and warranty information, see the Order Info page.