here are a few facts...
all batteries have the potential for explosion
two batteries are better than one in most cases, but that is providing both batteries are good.
pairing a new battery with an old one does not make the old battery better, but will quickly bring the new one down to the level of the old one.
two perfectly good batteries in a single bank, and one goes bad, it has the potential to ruin the other one if not discovered and removed in time
one good battery and one bad battery in the same bank will almost always offer less power than one good battery by itself.
if a battery that is being fully charged regularly, is giving noticeably less performance, its failing.
for normal sized batteries. 2 6vGC batts will have a much longer life than 2 12v batts will
12 marine "deep cycle" batteries are not really deep cycle batteries at all.
2 quality 6vGC batts will give more measurable/advertised amps, and many more usable amphrs than 2 12v deep cycle batts will
there are such a thing as true 12v deep cycle batteries, but the entry level battery is about $210 each, but 2 of them offer less advertised amps than 2 6vGC batteries will at about $100 ea... and they still wont have as many potential charge cycles as the 6v batts do
in a 12volt bank of 2 12v batts, if one goes bad, you can remove it and go on until you can replace it...
in a 12volt bank of 2 6v batts, if one goes bad, the system is down until it gets replaced.
wet cell batteries, which have the most affordable initial cost, can last as long as any new tech battery with proper care, and usually does. ....this is only true because most people ruin batteries by neglect or misuse, long before the full potential battery life can be realized.... and they dont even know they caused the demise of their batteries..
ANY battery can fail without any apparent reason, at ANY time...
trojan batteries are good, but they are not necessarily the best.
(us battery and deka produces excellent batteries at less cost than trojans)
quality batteries are not always at the top of the price range, but its true that a quality battery will outperform a budget battery.
spend the money and buy right the first time and it will be a long time before you have to buy again.. as paying half as much for the lower priced items twice, isnt cheaper...
there are many more Facts that could be given that would help in maintaining the bank in the best condition for the longest possible time, but these few will allow you to make a decision on what you want to buy...
