Batteries
I am going to buy new house batteries. I now have 2 12 volt batteries. Will I be better off putting back 2 6 volt batteries or 4 6volt batteries or just replacing what I have? I plan on doing a lot of boon docking.
Forum Discussion
- I just replaced mine on Saturday.
I'd go 4 6 volt if you have room.
Don't let them get below 50% charge and you should be okay. - 4 boondocking 6V batteries hold up better if U have room. But U need to look @ whole system b4 replacing just batteries. Talk 2 some1 that knows system and solar!!! Talk to someone looking @ Ur before U do anything.
- If you plan on boondocking a lot, I'd go with the 6 volt for the extra amp hours, but if just traveling and using shore power, 12 volt is fine. If you go with 6 volt, you want 3 or 4 of them, cause if you only have two and one goes bad you got nothing.
When I replaced my two 8D batteries, I went with 2 8D AGM batteries. When I want power, I want it right now and don't want to worry about watering them! Also wanted them to last a very long time. Don't need to be replacing them every couple years. Now I can park three nights in a row and not worry about running out of power to run the furnace and my breathing machine. - oops
- Do not just replace 6V w/ 12V. There are more adjustments to be made to your charging system.
1BryNelson wrote:
Why? Two 6V equals 12V and charge just like a 12 volt. Just a matter of wiring properly!
Do not just replace 6V w/ 12V. There are more adjustments to be made to your charging system.1BryNelson wrote:
He's doing the opposite.
Do not just replace 6V w/ 12V..- How many amp hrs do you use a day? Do you watch a lot of TV? Internet? What type of MH do you own? I dry camp 90% of the time with 2 6 v Sam's Club batteries and can go a week before they reach 50% SOC. By then I need water anyways unless I am very careful. I don't watch TV so only lights and water pump. If I stay longer I am always looking for ways to exercise the genset anyways. So I depends on how you will camp.
- See this is why U need to back up. 2 6v do = 12v. But the 6v have more amp hours. I just put 480 watts of solar panels and 440 amp hrs of battery storage in 6v batteries. If Ur planning on true boondocking it's power consumption vs ability 2 store.
- Hi,
The real answer is "it depends".
For example, if a large inverter is in use, then 12 volt jars may work better.
Twin six volt jars are not always a higher number of amp-hours than twin 12 volt jars.
Look at amp-hour cost per year of operation.
Wiring in a balanced manner is important.
Solar has become so cheap it is almost a sin to not have at least 60 watts per 100 amp-hours of storage.
In short, battery bank design needs to "fit" the camping style.
