Yes, I know that lead-acid batteries typically aren't favored, but I've had wonderful service out of them.
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I run two SLR5700s on our school district VHF repeater system at full power.? Also being transportation director for the school district, I had access to purchase school bus batteries at roughly $100-$120 each.? I have run each repeater to its own battery, depend only on the SLR's internal charger, and generally replace the batteries every four to five years.
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As for how long they last, I do not have accurate specs on their amp hour capacity, but several years ago when we did not have the permanent setup yet, I had to use an extension cord run across the room to plug the repeaters into the only plug in the room.? One day I needed the extension cord for a different purpose, so I said "It'll be OK to run on battery a couple hours while I borrow the cord."? Almost a week later, I walked into the radio room and noticed that there was no extension cord laying on the floor.? I had forgotten that I borrowed the cord, and we had run almost a week of operations on battery alone.
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Nathan
K5NDW
