House battery recommendations.............

SJ-Chris wrote:

Lumpty wrote:


(In fact lithiums pose a conundrum -> they are outstanding because their terminal voltage holds up well right close to the point where they are empty, but they are problematic because you can't hardly tell how close they are getting to empty by monitoring their terminal voltage!)

A simple battery monitor will keep you informed all the time. Plus, they are educational (...and fun in a nerdy kind of way...) to be able to see exactly how many amps/etc each item is using. I installed these and am happy with them...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FGFFHC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Happy Camping!
Chris

Years ago I installed a digital ammeter into our coach's AGM battery system so I can monitor current into, or out of, the coach batteries at all times during charging ... or during discharging as I turn on or turn off any 12V DC and 12V inverted-to-120V appliances. The ammeter is mounted right on the dash of our Class C so I can easily see it when we're driving or camped.

Lumpty wrote:


(In fact lithiums pose a conundrum -> they are outstanding because their terminal voltage holds up well right close to the point where they are empty, but they are problematic because you can't hardly tell how close they are getting to empty by monitoring their terminal voltage!)

A simple battery monitor will keep you informed all the time. Plus, they are educational (...and fun in a nerdy kind of way...) to be able to see exactly how many amps/etc each item is using. I installed these and am happy with them...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FGFFHC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Happy Camping!
Chris

Lumpty wrote:
I have a pair of, IIRC for size, Group 31 AGM's I bought from Sam's Club 4+ years ago. Not outrageously priced, and have worked fine. No issues using all 12v stuff whenever needed for up to 48 hours. We almost exclusively dry camp at race tracks, and will only run the generator if A/C is needed or to use the microwave.

That's exactly the situation when we camp with our pair of Group 31 AGM's ... except not at race tracks. No expensive lithiums and their supporting battery management systems required. ;)

(In fact lithiums pose a conundrum -> they are outstanding because their terminal voltage holds up well right close to the point where they are empty, but they are problematic because you can't hardly tell how close they are getting to empty by monitoring their terminal voltage!)

I have a pair of, IIRC for size, Group 31 AGM's I bought from Sam's Club 4+ years ago. Not outrageously priced, and have worked fine. No issues using all 12v stuff whenever needed for up to 48 hours. We almost exclusively dry camp at race tracks, and will only run the generator if A/C is needed or to use the microwave.

Lithiums now have warming technology. There is a thin wire that hooks up to the pos terminal. It activates internal heat so the battery can be charged when its cold.

If AGM’s are your game, i always have used Deka .

You get what you pay for. The less expensive Costco 6 volt batteries do not last as long as Trojans. Yes Trjoans expensive, but how long do you plan to own your rig? They are built with larger plates. Sold my first TT with 10 year old Trojans T125's still going strong. So it was a no brainer for me to do the same with our 5th wheel and added two more

We do 5 one week long dry camps during the summer and just finished our 5th week. With 4 Trojan t125's we run the fan all night to keep cool. Watch tv, charge phones, lights, water pump etc. never an issue. We added solar an now rarely use a generator so we went down a size and now carry a honda 2000 instead of the 3000. One less thing to do running a generator.

Lithium are still to expensive but once they come down in price maybe the next rig. In order to keep you flooded wet cell batteries like the Trojans or Costco is you should try never to drain them down more than 50%. That's the magic number.

Hope this helps.
Happy Trails

Pnichols: Yep, still have the 4x4 and always will. I have 2-BattleBorn 100amp lithiums with 200watts of solar up top. It has been GREAT leaving TV on all day if I want too and not worrying about using lights/fans/microwave, etc. Yep, even wired microwave directly so I don't have to start the generator. Sooooo worth the $$ if you're boondocking almost all the time like I am!!

Get 2 interstate from Costco or Autozone

VA-Apraisr wrote:
Ok, wanting to put in a reliable, RV house battery in used RV just purchased. Has a single marine/RV type battery you'd get from AutoZone or similar outlet.

I have upgraded to BattleBorn Lithiums in my personal RV, but, don't think my cousin who is taking this RV is looking to spend that kind of $$$ since he'll be doing light boondocking and campgrounds.

Before asking, I "searched" above using "house battery" and just not getting to direct answers. Thanks for any suggestions!

I'd recommend - if it will fit - a single 12V Group 31 AGM deep cycle quality battery, such as those offered by Lifeline or Fullriver. One from either of these two suppliers would be more expensive than the common marine/RV type, but offer set-it-and-forget-it ultra reliability ... and of course cost way less $$$ than a lithium setup:
https://lifelinebatteries.com/products/marine-batteries/gpl-31xt/
https://resources.fullriverbattery.com/fullriver-battery/spec-sheets/DC115-12.pdf

(Off topic, but is your personal RV still that great 4X4 Class C you used to have? If so, what is your BattleBorn setup in it?)

I agree that two 6 volters from Costco and/or Sam's would fit your buddy's needs.