6 volt vs. 12 volt batteries
I do not want to start a debate I just have a simple question about the equipment my new trailer came with. My previous two trailers had 2 12 volt batteries. My new Keystone Fuzion 301 came with 2 6...
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Hi,
If the battery banks are equally sized and the 12 volt jars are wired in a balance manner:
6 volt
fewer cells so statistically lower likelihood of failure
if there is a failure no redundancy
each cell must produce 100% of the amps drawn
thicker plates
greater voltage drop under heavy loads
higher antimony content
faster self discharge
more tolerant of abuse (but deep cycling below 50% not the best idea)
12 volt
double the cells so statistically more likelihood of single cell failure
redundancy if one cell fails
each cell produces 50% of the amps drawn
should be wired in a balanced manner
thinner plates
lower voltage drop under heavy loads
often lower antimony content so not "true" deep cycle
lower self discharge
less tolerant of abuse (deep cycling kills, and I'd AVOID going below 50%)
The battery bank needs to reflect the camping style. What works for me may be unsuitable to another camper.
Most battery banks are woefully undersized for the increasing loads found in modern RV's.
A modest solar system almost always improves battery bank life.
If the battery banks are equally sized and the 12 volt jars are wired in a balance manner:
6 volt
fewer cells so statistically lower likelihood of failure
if there is a failure no redundancy
each cell must produce 100% of the amps drawn
thicker plates
greater voltage drop under heavy loads
higher antimony content
faster self discharge
more tolerant of abuse (but deep cycling below 50% not the best idea)
12 volt
double the cells so statistically more likelihood of single cell failure
redundancy if one cell fails
each cell produces 50% of the amps drawn
should be wired in a balanced manner
thinner plates
lower voltage drop under heavy loads
often lower antimony content so not "true" deep cycle
lower self discharge
less tolerant of abuse (deep cycling kills, and I'd AVOID going below 50%)
The battery bank needs to reflect the camping style. What works for me may be unsuitable to another camper.
Most battery banks are woefully undersized for the increasing loads found in modern RV's.
A modest solar system almost always improves battery bank life.
