How do I compare and make an informed buying decision when deciding amongst the size, weights and performance options available?

Discover™ has made available the LARGEST AGM/Gel product line in the world! This means that you have a number of size and performance options to choose from when making your purchase decision. First consider the following;

Do you have any size restrictions (Height, total W x L area available)
Do you have multiple areas available for batteries? If so, how far apart are they and are they similar in area?
Is the area hard to get to or is it going to be easy to get heavy batteries installed?
Do you have weight restrictions? Both on a per battery basis and as a total installation!
Will the installed batteries be easy to service? If not, DO NOT consider Flooded types!
Is the installation area serviced by a dedicated exhaust fan? If not, DO NOT consider Flooded types!
What type of battery(s) are you using now?
What type of charging system do you have?

With these questions answered and understood, you are now ready to consider the options available to you. Make sure you have read and understand the section above on: How do I increase the capacity of my battery and system and the section below on and the section below on **How do I compare and make an informed buying decision when deciding between Flooded, Advanced AGM, or Gel batteries? **

Consider — as an example — that you are going to replace two flooded 8D batteries.

Each battery is approx. 21in (533mm) L x 11in (282mm) wide x 9in (250mm) H with a total height to the top of the terminals of 9.9in (250mm). The average weight across the industry is about 150 lbs. The average Amp Hour across the industry is between 200 and 230.

From the Discover™ product line you have many replacement options. You can choose exact replacements by using the 8D types available or you could replace them by fitting (in the same space);

Connection	Total Qty	Type	AH Each c/20	AH Total c/20	Weight Each Lbs/Kgs	Weight Total Lbs/Kgs	In the same area as 1 8D
Original	2	EV8D	290	290	180/82	360/164
Parallel	6	EV24D	> 84	>500	50/23	300/138	3 will fit
Series/Parallel 3 sets of 2	6	EVGC6	>200	>600	69/31	414/186	3 will fit
Series/Parallel 3 sets of 2	6	EV250	>260	>780	82/37	492/222	3 will fit
		Will be approx. 2in (50mm) higher
Series/Parallel 3 sets of 2	6	EV305	>310	>930	107/49	642/294	3 will fit
		Will be approx. 5in (125mm) higher
Series/Parallel 3 sets of 2	6	EVL16	>390	>1170	122/55	732/330	3 will fit
		Will be approx. 7in (175mm) higher

Hopefully you are getting the picture of how you can use the many types, sizes and performance options available to replace or upgrade your system. There are many other types available if you have flexibility within your installation area.

NOTE: In the interest of safety and performance Multi battery systems must be engineered and installed properly! An excellent and easy to understand free booklet on multi-battery applications, “Introduction to Batteries and Charging Systems”, can be downloaded from http://www.surepower.com