I know this topic has been covered before but I was wondering what would be the better option for my setup. We spend half of our camping in the dunes with zero hookups and half our camping with full hookups. My current set up is 2 group 24, 12 volt batteries. Would you suggest replacing them with 2 12 volt batteries (if so which group?) or switching over to 2 6 volt batteries (again which type)

Here are a couple of pictures of my converter if that helps, thanks!Mod Edit: Adjust pics to fit forum guidelines of 640x

Do your batteries last long enough when dry camping? How many days typically? Are you charging them with solar, or a generator while camping? Or, do you just charge at home and use them while camping without additional charging?

We have a on board generator that is used when we are boondocking. Its gets used more than I would like mainly because our two boys do watch TV when they are winding down after riding all day. No solar currently and I do like to top them off before any trip with the trickle charger.Reason for considering making the change is due to our automatic beds needing more amperage (they go down without issues, going up is hit and miss) according to a friend of mine that owns a RV maintenance and repair shop.

Group 29 if they fit or GC2 will work fine.If charging from a generator your real problem is the fixed voltage 7355 converter. You really need to upgrade to an IOTA, Progressive Dynamics, or PowerMax Boondocker.Your existing batteries might even wake up a bit with a new converter.And of course I will make a plug for getting 120w to 250w of solar.

If it works the way you work it, keep it. For me, I like to monitor my battery voltage and try to keep it in the middle range. The charger charges fastest in the middle rather than the top. The batteries themselves only need changing if you start to have problems with your overnight demand. Some like to pound their generator until the sun sets, other like to know what their needs are, and just be good campers and put in what went out and get ready for another day.

12volt or 6volt | Good Sam Community

dedmiston
Moderator
Oct 14, 2013
Eyetattoo wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Eyetatoo,

If you must use 6 volt then costco or sam's club may be the best source--unless you have ties to a golf course where you could "piggy back" to get a lower price on Trojan brand name.
I can get the Trojans for roughly $150 each.

That's pretty high. I asked a guy at a local auto part store a couple of weeks ago what he was selling them for. He said it depended on how many I needed, but he quoted me $160 for a pair of T-105s and said the unit price would go down for a set of four. I've dealt with these guys for years and they've always been honest, so I trust him that they're good batteries and haven't been sitting around for a year.

They used to be more expensive during the height of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars when the military was buying so many of them. The prices have started coming back down closer to the pre-war levels.
MrVan
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Ric Flair wrote:
Is this how two 6 volt batteries should be connected?

Yes, that is correct as they are in series to create 12 Volt output!
allcool
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Ric Flair wrote:
Is this how two 6 volt batteries should be connected?

Yes, that is correct.
Eyetattoo
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Eyetatoo,

If you must use 6 volt then costco or sam's club may be the best source--unless you have ties to a golf course where you could "piggy back" to get a lower price on Trojan brand name.
I can get the Trojans for roughly $150 each.
Ric_Flair
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Is this how two 6 volt batteries should be connected?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 14, 2013
Hi Eyetatoo,

If you must use 6 volt then costco or sam's club may be the best source--unless you have ties to a golf course where you could "piggy back" to get a lower price on Trojan brand name.
Eyetattoo
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Any thoughts on Trojan 6 volt batteries?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 14, 2013
Hi Strabo,

Given the tumbling costs of solar panels it would be nuts to not have a system if camping without shore power.

Battery banks do last longer if a properly designed solar system is in place. Cost of fuel for the generator pays for the panels.
nayther
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Eyetattoo wrote:
Any suggestions on battery options for my new setup?

Costco
Strabo
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Eyetattoo wrote:
Turns out that my batteries were no good under a load, going to switch over to a 6 volt system. Any suggestions on battery options for my new setup?

Also going to look into installing a single solar panel system to keep the batteries topped off during storage.

Just get two new batteries and go camping...Never use the word...Solar!