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In article <BzEqn6.JMv@cck.coventry.ac.uk> lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk (Graham Wilson) writes:
>
>If you have a bank of 12 volt batteries of 500 amp capacity, what is the 
>highest amp hour charge you can put into the batteries without cooking
>them ?
>
>Is there are a formula for working this out ?
>
>Thanks.
>
>         *********************************************************
>         *      Graham Wilson      *  lsg001@cck.coventry.ac.uk  *
>         *     LL.B.  Law  III     *     Coventry  University    *
>         *********************************************************

Major misconception here, Graham.  There are three major parameters for
batteries and battery-like energy storage devices:  Voltage, Current
capability, and storage capacity.  These are measured, for batteries, in
volts, amperes (usually abbreviated to amps), and ampere-hours (amp-hrs).

For example, a typical automotive battery will be rated for 12 volts, 500
to 1000 amps cold-cranking current, and 160 amp-hrs.

Furthermore, you have to take the intended application of the battery into
account.  Automotive batteries are generally intended to sit idle most of the
time, then deliver up a SIGNIFICANT amount of their capacity (but nowhere near
all of it) in a few seconds.  Deep discharge (running it all the way down
cranking a car that won't start) can damage the battery.  Marine (trolling
motor) batteries, on the other hand, are designed to be run all or nearly all
the way down, at a low-moderate current.  Demanding outrageous currents out
of them will not do them any good at all.

Finally, the manufacturer of the battery will have designed the battery for
a recommended charging current.  Trying to charge it at significantly different
rates is ALSO not a good idea.

Rule of thumb: the designer of the battery probably knew what he/she was doing
when he/she specified the intended use of the battery, and the designer of
the system that USES the battery probably knew what he/she was doing when
he/she chose the battery in it.  If you want to do something significantly
different, make certain you aren't shooting yourself in the foot.