2 or 4 6V batteries.

I really suggest estimating your amp-hr usage before suggesting a number of batteries. If you currently get 3-6 days out of 2 batteries and don't plan to increase usage, not much point in getting more batteries.

Assuming you already have the generator and you get 3-6days out of 2 batteries, you will go a very long time burning maybe a gallon per week to use the generator. There is a little bit of a hassle getting fuel and remembering to charge but cost wise, the extra batteries will never pay for themselves.

As suggested, for the cost of the extra batteries, you can probably get a small portable solar setup that will handle basic loads (lights, water pump, maybe a little TV) allowing you to easily go a week or more (maybe indefinitely).

I have no trouble going 4 nights on 2 6V Costco batteries without any generator, if it's reasonably warm anyway. Lots of furnace use may cut into that. Last time out we had to run the generator during the afternoon for a couple hours to power the AC so our youngest could nap and with that they never even felt like they were draining at all. I stuck with 2 because that's what the compartment would hold and I didn't really want to tap through into the basement storage area for more battery space. Occasional generator use seemed like an easier solution since we had to have one along anyway for the AC.

I think the batteries were $85 each, and they're Interstate. The performance is great and we'll see how well they hold up.

We only have 2, and we also camp mostly off grid. And I'm pretty satisfied with that. I make it a religion to charge them every day. Setting up the generator is just part of the routine. Whether you have 2 or 4 batteries, going 3 or 4 days without charging is not good for the batteries.

Having said that, I would still recommend going with 4 batteries, if you don't have an issue with the space or weight or cost. More battery is simply better, end of story.

One other nice benefit to having 4, is that if you have one battery fail, and they all fail eventually, you can drop down to a bank of 2 and keep on camping. Whereas with us only have 2, if one fails we have a problem that has to be solved ASAP.

Either way, make charging a daily routine. If your schedule away from camp forces you to skip a day, not a big deal. We like to time our hour of charging around something that uses power. Usually that is at shower time or when washing dishes. The pump draws a lot of power, and we get a better shower when the pump is running on full converter output.

No such thing as too much battery power. Nice not to have to run the genny but I sure would not leave it at home.

We are able to enjoy up to about 7 days dry camping with our 2 t-105's. We average about 18ah per day. This is spending most of the time outside using 12v power for a few LED lights, The pump for sinks, toilet and shower, and the parasitic draws.

valhalla360 wrote:
I really suggest estimating your amp-hr usage before suggesting a number of batteries.

x2. Depends on how you use batteries.

If I understand you, you currently have two batteries, (I do not remember if you listed the amp hours?), and use your generator several times to dry camp for 3 - 6 days at a time? By simply adding 2 additional batteries, I do not think you will double the time between charges, and as pointed out re charge time would go up. 4 six volt batteries would extend the time between charging, I would also invest in solar panels to charge those batteries during the day. That option would give you the most power and greatly reduce the time you would need to fire up your generator. Definitely on the pricey side, but since you do dry camp a lot IMHO that would give you what you are looking for. Good luck.

Hi,

I'd go with 200 amp hours of LI batteries, if you won't be camping in cold weather. (-20 C)

2nd best would be 400 amp-hours of AGM 12 volt jars wired in a balanced manner.

Solar panels can go a long ways towards keeping a battery bank happy and extending the life span.

My Costco 6v are going good on ten years part time use.

If spending money today I would probably go with the higher capacity of the Sam's, Trojan, or US Battery.

Sam's Club

232 ah $112
208 ah $84

Coach-man wrote:
If I understand you, you currently have two batteries, (I do not remember if you listed the amp hours?), and use your generator several times to dry camp for 3 - 6 days at a time? By simply adding 2 additional batteries, I do not think you will double the time between charges, and as pointed out re charge time would go up. 4 six volt batteries would extend the time between charging, I would also invest in solar panels to charge those batteries during the day. That option would give you the most power and greatly reduce the time you would need to fire up your generator. Definitely on the pricey side, but since you do dry camp a lot IMHO that would give you what you are looking for. Good luck.

That's exactly my scenario. I need to charge everyday. Batteries start out at around 12.8v and by the end of the day are around 11.8 to 11.6. I have a 1000w Samlex invertor with a remote digital readout in the 5er that I monitor the batteries with. We usually run the gen everyday for 2-3 hrs around dinner time. Wife likes the hairdryer, so we kill two with one gen run.
My concern initially was how long I could use the 4-6V before I would have to run the gen for way longer than 2-3 hrs. I suppose I don't need to run the gen for 2-3, but that's what I do. I don't want to get my self in a situation where I need to run the gen 1/2 the day to recharge 4-6V. Sounds like either way I go it's just good practice to recharge daily, regardless of the charging method.
If that's the case then I may as well just use 2-6V since I'll be running the gen anyway.