BL> Remember to use thick wire...

>> Indeed, but how thick is thick?

JT> Thicker than what they recommend.

DD> Bob has only recommended "thick" :-)

 Seriously now...

 There are two limits on wire thickness and current: heat and voltage
drop. Heat should nto be a problem. As a guide, look at the lead
coming out of your switch mode on the 6V side. If you only have to run
the battery that distance, use the same wire as that. If you have to
double the distance, double the wire (root-two diameter doubles area).
If it's 14 x 0.14 mm then 14 x 0.20mm doubles it.

 That will be safe.

JT> They are float charged. That is, the output voltage is fixed
JT> (most of the time anyway. The normal "fast" charge current is
JT> limited, but it doesn't stay at this point unless the batteries
JT> are flat, and it's limited to a very low value when the
JT> batteries are VERY flat).

DD> I thought it charged harder when the cells were flatter.

 Yes, it will... up to a maximum current. I assume that John means a
dead-flat battery below 2.0V per cell, when the internal resistance
rises and would overheat if you hit it with a maximum charge. You
can occasionally bring the cell back to life with a gentle charge
current. If the maximum is 20A, for instance, a 5A charge would be
appropriate... but you should *never* deep-cycle a gelcell below 2.0V
anyway. That roots them quicker than anything. 

DD> I bought the cells at mate's rates for $1260.40 for the six.

 You're totally mad. You could have bought ten truck batteries for
that. When this discussion began, I assumed you had *one* truck
battery.

JT> Besides, you'll be abusing the top and bottom halves in a
JT> different way every six months now. :-)

DD> Hmmm - I wonder if Wacko Jacko is interested in this method of
DD> abuse.... 

 Like all techs, John has no firm grip on degree. A minor imbalance
in the charging cycle of the top three monster cells would be like
Michael Jackson saying "hello" on the telephone. Shoving his long
black dong up a little boy's jacksie is another degree of abuse
entirely.

 Us engineers understand that abuse varies by degree. I doubt that
you could do much damage to your celsl with an axe, let alone a DVD.

Regards,
Bob


--- BQWK Alpha 0.5