What difference does Ah make?
I want to power a security camera:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223434
from a battery for extended periods of time. It’s rated at 12v 130 Ah. 2×6 or 1x12v batteries are easy enough to find but to find 130 Ah ones you need to go for the BIG, heavy industrial ones. What difference does Ah make here? If I get 2x6v batteries at a much lower Ah rating would it still work? Would the batteries just give out quicker?
The two 6 volt batteries would not last longer than the singel 12 volt.
The camera only draws 130 ma. 130 ma = only .130 amps. This is a very small load. You could power it with a small solar panel during the daylight. The link below shows a 12″ X 14″ panel which would be more than adequate.
If you want to power the camera during the night you can add a motorcycle 12 volt battery which would stay charged from the solar panel. You would need a small regulator to prevent the panel from overcharging the battery during the day.
Swann Super NightOwl Infrared CCTV Camera