Forum Discussion

joelc's avatar
joelc
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2023

Choosing a new house battery

I am confused. I have a 2012 Carriage Cameo with a battery box that measures 25Lx13HX8 5/8 deep and can not be enlarged. We recently had to purchase a 12V fridge, so now my demand for 12V is very high. My problem is what kind of battery and BRAND to get. I will probably need at least 200ah, Deep cycle. Don't know whether to get AGM or LI. If I get a LI then I will also have to change my on board converter/charger. I want to know the type of battery experience you have (Brand and type and size) and if you recommend it. When I go on the internet I find good reviews about "brand X", then find out that another site says the battery is junk. So what do you say? Remember, this is NOT for starting. Just a reliable HOUSE battery. By the way...mid price. Can't afford a $1000 battery. Also, I live full time, and am hooked up to shore power.
  • agwill's avatar
    agwill
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2023
    Is it a compressor type 12 volt? If not you must stay plugged in all the time. No battery will last long. Your converter is needed at all times as you know fridge has a very high current draw.
  • agwill's avatar
    agwill
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2023
    Is it a standard RV fridge? Is it a two way 115v and gas? They make three way also. A standard RV fridge runs on 115v when parked and switches to gas when not hooked up to 115v. Need more information.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jun 17, 2023
    How large is the refer, likely three or four door. I would not rely on a single battery. We did a JC Refrigeration 12 volt compressor conversion on our Dometic RM2862, we have not yet needed to last long on battery, but expect that our two Interstate SRM27 deep cycle batteries will run us overnight. If you without shore power there are basically two situations:
    1. Warm/hot outside no need for furnace, lots of run time for compressor.
    2. Cold outside, furnace draw high, and refer draw low.
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Jun 17, 2023
    Agwill The fridge is a 12 Volt only. Dometic DMC 4101
    To enlarge on my question with some more information. I currently have a Gel battery and according to the battery condition light in my RV it is in the RED zone. I can't run the fridge and lights without the lights dimming. So, the battery being less than 1 yr. old is not holding voltage.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jun 17, 2023
    If you are on shorepower, no need to upgrade the batteries at all.

    A 12v compressor fridge will actually use less electricity than the old style absorption fridges and your battery charger should easily be able to handle it.

    If you are going to be boondocking a bit, even then you don't need a huge battery bank. We have 2 stock 12v lead-acid batteries. Wok up this morning and still sitting at 12.6V.

    What are the specs on your new fridge? Ours draws around 50watts when running but since it only runs part of the time, it really doesn't draw that much. Of course, some of this will vary depending on the temps...currently cool evenings so not a lot of fridge draw but balances with some furnace run time which wouldn't happen in warmer weather.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Jun 17, 2023
    joelc wrote:
    Agwill The fridge is a 12 Volt only. Dometic DMC 4101
    To enlarge on my question with some more information. I currently have a Gel battery and according to the battery condition light in my RV it is in the RED zone. I can't run the fridge and lights without the lights dimming. So, the battery being less than 1 yr. old is not holding voltage.


    You don't have a battery problem you have a charger problem. If as you say you are always on shore power you don't even need a battery. Just go to bestconverter.com and buy a new 3 or 4 stage charger for about $250 and be done with it. In your situation the battery is only there for backup in case the shore power goes out. If you feel you need to replace the battery then pretty much any cheap 12v battery will do.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 17, 2023
    X2 on your charger and/or wiring, fix it. You can install 2x GC2s or any other flooded battery in enclosed boxes that are vented to the outside. My son and I did just that with the batteries in the front 5er storage area.

    But first fix the charging issue.
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Jun 17, 2023
    Checked the Charger/Converter per Progressive Dynamics directions, and it is fine.
  • agwill's avatar
    agwill
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2023
    Back again. You need a new converter! Not a new battery. Compressor fridge does not run all the time. Max draw is 15amps. Your converter should put out 50-60 amps as needed.

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