Interesting battery question.

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Does it make a difference if you run many smaller batteries vs. one or two big batteries? The amount of space needed is irrelevent. Just curious as if there is any advantage to running a lot of small batteries over a couple of big ones.

Click to read more...

 

[basebalz13 10+ year member]

whats the AH on smalelr one, and AH on bigger ones?

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

whats the AH on smalelr one, and AH on bigger ones?

For arguments sake lets say that the four smaller battery total ah equeals the two larger battery ah. I dont have any specific battery in mind, no set numbers. I don't believe it would make a difference but I thought I'd ask.

 

[Ronny 10+ year member]

Larger batteries can readily let more current pass than several small ones. It's called a battery's C rating.

Of course the current being drawn would be split up, so in theory if the limits of the batteries are not being reached they would perform the same. There are many factors that play into this however, such as battery chemistry, internal resistance, capacity, etc. But generally what I've said applies.

 

[S.B.C. 10+ year member]

Larger batteries can readily let more current pass than several small ones. It's called a battery's C rating.Of course the current being drawn would be split up, so in theory if the limits of the batteries are not being reached they would perform the same. There are many factors that play into this however, such as battery chemistry, internal resistance, capacity, etc. But generally what I've said applies.

Truth

a copy n paste

In addition to the stated voltage and Ah capacity, SLA batteries have a ‘C’ rating designed to meet specific load applications such as C5, C10 and C20. The vast majority of SLA batteries are rated C20 which means they are designed to provide 1/20th of the stated Ah capacity for 20 hours to 10.5 volts. For example, 7Ah/ C20 = 350mA load for 20 hours. If the ‘C’ rating is not specified consult the battery manufacturer.

 

[basebalz13 10+ year member]

For arguments sake lets say that the four smaller battery total ah equeals the two larger battery ah. I dont have any specific battery in mind, no set numbers. I don't believe it would make a difference but I thought I'd ask.

The bigger batts then.

Larger batteries can readily let more current pass than several small ones. It's called a battery's C rating.Of course the current being drawn would be split up, so in theory if the limits of the batteries are not being reached they would perform the same. There are many factors that play into this however, such as battery chemistry, internal resistance, capacity, etc. But generally what I've said applies.

Truth
a copy n paste

In addition to the stated voltage and Ah capacity, SLA batteries have a ‘C’ rating designed to meet specific load applications such as C5, C10 and C20. The vast majority of SLA batteries are rated C20 which means they are designed to provide 1/20th of the stated Ah capacity for 20 hours to 10.5 volts. For example, 7Ah/ C20 = 350mA load for 20 hours. If the ‘C’ rating is not specified consult the battery manufacturer.

These

 

[Ronny 10+ year member]

Usually in automotive and industrial apps C ratings are not given, but they surely come in handy with hobbies like R/C.

A manufacturer will give burst and continuous C ratings for a certain battery. Such as 20. If you are using a 10aH pack, and it has a continuous C rating of 20 you multiply them together (C rating * aH) to get the amount of continuous current discharge one can safely run. In this case, it would be 200A. For burst, maybe 25C is given, so one can take 250A safely from the pack, but for only a couple seconds. Going above the continuous rating will cause large voltage drops, lots of heat, damage to the pack, and sometimes ka-booms, but that is mostly seen when using Lithium Polymer batteries. Lead acid, NiCd, NiMH, LiFePO4, etc can take abuse much better.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Great info, learn something new everyday.