House batteries

I keep waffling but always come back to basic flooded lead acid for best bang for the buck.
What is needed out of house batteries is ampere-hours, as measured by the industry standard 25 amp draw test. 6 volt GC2 size are in the 205-235 a-h range. This remains true with AGM's, less true with gel's, and both the latter cost more.

One thing I looked into last week was using size L16 instead of GC2.
Footprint is the same, but L16's are 16" tall (GC2's are 11ish) so if there is enough vertical height in the battery box they are a dropin.

a-h rating is 405 to 450!!!

Alas, my battery box has the height but there are some boards, boxes, and solenoids mounted around the edges that intrude into the needed space :(

http://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html
We have a Lifeline 150 AH Lifeline AGM because of limited space and their reputation. Optima does not make a true deep cycle and gel, well take a look at the FAQ.

Try Lifeline AGM batteries. They are a glass mat product and very reliable.

Well gosh, hold on! Where can I find them?? Whst was it Gomer Pyle use to say?

Hi,

Gel cells are quite finicky about charging rates.

You would be much better served by AGM batteries which are also a sealed battery.

I believe the Optima line is an AGM, but because of their spiral design they have about 40% less capacity than LifeLine or Universal jars.

You can find them here: AGM Batteries

I'd suggest staying with 6 volt deep cycle batteries. They are a proven technology and are cost effective.

If you really, really want to go high tech, consider lithium batteries. I understand hey are just $7,000 each.

What Don said. You want the highest amp/hour you can get. 6 volt batteries still seem to give the best long term performance, although it seems I'm hearing alot of the newer coaches use all 12v. Just upgraded my solar and went with 6 6volt Interstates at installer suggestion. He sells nothing, just installs.

Fine but you have to remember they have a very limited amp hour rating rating making then a poor choice for rv use