[Elecraft] Lead-Acid Battery Capacity (WAS: K3 : standby current)

[Mike B]

Good information, Ron.  Also, true deep cycle batteries are considerably more 
expensive than automotive batteries - you're paying for the lead.  Most 
batteries in common stores labeled "deep cycle" aren't - it's just marketing. 
With only a few exceptions (such as one of the Optima line), my rule of thumb is 
that if the battery lists any type of "cranking amps" rating, even if it also 
lists an amp-hour rating, it isn't a deep cycle.

We go through a fairly large number of deep cycle batteries at work (for remote 
weather stations), and any more our 100 AH batteries are costing us upwards of 
$250 each, and weigh about 70 pounds.  Now, these are American-made Concorde AGM 
batteries (I try to do my part to keep tax money in-country); Chinese copycat 
batteries are about $100 less.

73,

Mike
KW1ND
(Still counting the days for the K3...)