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 Post subject: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:15 pm 

Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:14 am
Posts: 352
I was just informed by multiple suppliers that East Penn and Interstate have discontinued both of the 8v batteries that I have used in locomotives and boats. The East Penn numbers were 825 and 8v195. The boats I can work around and convert to 24v. The locomotives, not so much. What are other people using in their GE critters to get the 32v?


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:03 pm 

Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:15 am
Posts: 170
Rolls manufactures several sizes of locomotive batteries:

https://www.rollsbattery.com/

We have their batteries under our BLH RS4-TC locomotives and have not experienced any problems. Our last order included shipping, which is a pretty good concession given their weight.

GNB also manufactures locomotive batteries, but is just coming out of bankruptcy. We use their signal batteries and get awesome performance - the last set we replaced was in service for 21 years, and was still holding a charge, albeit at a reduced ampacity.

Richard R. Anderson
Northwest Railway Museum


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:10 pm 

Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:15 am
Posts: 170
This one is less than 12 inches high:

https://www.rollsbattery.com/battery/8-hhg-31p/


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:24 pm 

Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:32 pm
Posts: 344
US Battery lists 11-4-1 and 13-4-1 as “product equivalent” to EAST PENN: 8V195.
www.usbattery.com/products/8-volt-batteries/13-4-1-xc2/


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:02 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am
Posts: 585
For our 44 tonner and SW-8 (900hp PM), We've had good results with 8V195 size batteries (980 CCA, 1170 Reserve, 20.75 x 7.25 x 10.63.

They are a little smaller than the 8V marine batteries, and doesn't have the extra space below the plates for the sulfide mud/precipitate (they are designed like an automotive battery). As we were chasing down a fuel feed issue on the SW-8, we did over 2 dozen starts without any noticeable speed change or charging needed over a summer. From what we've seen I would say they are good up to a 1200 HP motor (@64Vdc).


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:37 pm 

Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:43 am
Posts: 746
you can use three 12v batteries to start things like a GE 25 ton just fine. I've also used 6 12v batteries in series to start a larger locomotive. Cranking amps isn't that big a deal-for instance the loco I started has a 400 amp cranking fuse, which practically any good 12 volt car battery can easily supply. 2 downsides, one is you will loose reserve capacity...in other words, the batteries will run down sooner, but you should have plenty to start all but the most cold natured engines. The second is, the charging system voltage and the batteries nominal voltage is very similar, which means the charging system will may not charge the batteries at all, so you need to separately charge them.

I don't know if I would suggest this as a long term solution but if you are a cash strapped group with an engine that may or may not run, this should get you to the point where you can justify the purchase of a real set of locomotive batteries.


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 11:21 am 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:19 am
Posts: 218
Location: Decatur, GA
Hi. I'm resurrecting this thread as the subject is going to be an issue for us before long, and for others as well. It appears that all of the 8v195 batteries have been discontinued, as well as any 8v batteries that are both of the proper size to fit into an industrial locomotive battery box and have the proper cranking amps to turn one over. For our group specifically, we run a 50 ton GE with two 855 Cummins prime movers. It has a 32 volt positive ground electrical system. I am not opposed, in principle, to converting to 36v as has been suggested. The problem is going to be charging. I have not seen a 36v alternator, and doubt that the current 32v units will keep up with the headlight, magnet valve, battery field, and shutdown solenoids. Anyone else dealing with this?

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Andrew Durden
Chief Mechanical Officer
Southeastern Railway Museum


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 12:35 pm 

Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:14 am
Posts: 352
Last week I had to replace the batteries in a yacht that had a 32v system, twin Detroit 12v-71TA. We opted to take a chance and try something different. Two 31 series starting batteries wired in series with two, 801mf tractor bateries in parallel. Because they are all considered starting batteries, and the combined CCAs of the 8Vs is close to the CCAs of the 31s, we figure this might work. And it is relatively inexpensive. The CCAs of this setup is about the same as the 8v195s, but we have lost some of the reserve capacity, so extended cranking may be an issue. So far it works well and the 801MFs are available. Time will tell.


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 1:48 pm 

Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:29 am
Posts: 318
We ran a couple of 45 tonners using three 12V batterys, we converted both to an Alternator based charging system...it may have been a 36V, I'll have to check....I recall, whatever we got was a pretty readily available alternator...never had much issue with the set up...


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 2:43 pm 

Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 9:39 pm
Posts: 72
Location: Rochester, NY
We'd been buying the Deka 8v195's for years. Just like everyone else with GE centercabs, we were scrambling for another solution. We ended up placing an order for a set of Rolls Surette 8HHG-21P's. They are similar in size and have comparable specs:

Rolls 8HHG-21P:
Volts: 8 VDC
CCA: 1033
Weight: 118 lbs
Length: 21.25"
Width: 7.38"
Height: 11.13"

Deka 8v195:
Volts: 8 VDC
CCA: 980
Weight: 90 lbs
Length: 20.75"
Width: 7.25"
Height: 9.38"

Total price for four 8HHG-21P's after shipping was around $2200. We ordered from DC Battery Specialists in Miami, FL.

Data sheet: https://www.rollsbattery.com/battery/8-hhg-21p/

Hope that helps! We just placed the order for the batteries, so I can't comment on performance. The specs look promising, though.

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Joe Nugent
Trustee
Motive Power Superintendent
Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
http://www.rgvrrm.org


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 Post subject: Re: 32v batteries
PostPosted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 3:07 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:19 am
Posts: 218
Location: Decatur, GA
Thanks Joe! This looks like a workable solution, contingent on measuring the battery box to double check. Based upon the cranking amps, it should be better than the 8v195.

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Andrew Durden
Chief Mechanical Officer
Southeastern Railway Museum


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