Re: (ET) mixing 6 and 12v batteries?

[Ken Olum <kdo cosmos phy tufts edu>]

   From: tb <tbamc gbta net>
   Date: Thu, 2 May 2013 08:37:55 -0500

   So my question is, as a somewhat short term solution would
   replacing the 2 bad 6v batteries with one 12v battery make any
   sense, or be a terrible idea?

It would be a terrible idea to buy a new 12V battery for this purpose.
First of all it would have to be very large to have as much amp-hour
capactity as your existing 6V batteries, so it would cost a lot and be
hard to fit in.  And then when your other batteries reach the end of
their lives, your new 12V battery would likely be no better shape
because it would have been dragged down by being in the pack with the
others.

On the other hand, if you can get a large, used 12V battery for not
much money, it might keep you limping along for a while longer before
you have to replace your pack.

Actually, the best idea might be to find two (or six) used 6V
batteries, e.g. from someone with an electric car that is replacing
their pack.  Such batteries might still have a lot of life if the
original owner had a long commute and couldn't tolerate much loss of
range.

                                        Ken