Forum Discussion

Birdie123's avatar
Birdie123
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014

How many RV batteries is to much for a trip

We are gone for 16 days with our 26ft Motorhome from Canada to the southern states in December. We have two batteries in outside compartments and two more inside the coach under the dinette seat. We would be running A/C and a microwave, coffeepot etc, but we are pretty Conservative in running even any of that. We also have a Onan Emerald Plus 4000 Generator on board. We are very careful with our lights etc. This is our first time with this Motorhome and have a TT that we just have one battery with and it seems to be just fine for what we do. Of course I know that Gen has to be running or pole power is needed for the A/C and appliances. We are just going thru the Motorhome that we just bought about 4 weeks ago and four batteries seems like much and they are so darn heavy too! Thank You
Class A
  • John_S_'s avatar
    John_S_
    Explorer II
    Oct 19, 2014
    iI have three start batteries and four 8D gel house batteries. The newer coaches have 7 or 8 house batteries. The are great to use while boondocking. I was at the balloon fest and you cpuld tell the ones with weak batteries as they had their generator up on a table or boxes running all the time. I can go all day off grid with mine.
  • J-Rooster's avatar
    J-Rooster
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2014
    I just use the original set of batteries that my RV came with! I change the old batteries out every 4 years and have a solar trickle charger to keep them charged when I'm not traveling.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Oct 19, 2014
    If you are not using any 12v stuff, 1 should be good enough to keep everything in check with charging and converter.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 19, 2014
    Birdie123 wrote:
    Not diesel and they are 12V. I think maybe they were boondocking with this thing more then plugging in!


    OP's post this afternoon.
  • bsinmich's avatar
    bsinmich
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2014
    I would be concerned about the batteries under the dinette seat. Are they vented to the outside? When charging they vent explosive gases that you don't want inside your RV. You still haven't answered if these are 6 Volt or 12 Volt batteries.
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2014
    mowermech wrote:
    The furnace is a power hog. My first Class A had an 8D 12 V. battery, and one night at 40 degrees ran the battery dead by 3 AM!
    Believe me, when I had to get out of a warm bed to start the engine so I could start the generator, I was wishing I had 4 batteries!
    I would say don't mess with it!


    Yep. My furnaces will drain my 2 deep cycle 12V batteries in 24 hours in the winter.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Oct 18, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    msmith1199 wrote:
    Birdie123 wrote:
    Yes I understand that battery is not for appliances or A/C. I thought that four was a bit excessive when I have a generator and choice of pole power when I want to pay for it. I will be checking all four batteries today and making sure that the Gen, Truck and pole power all charge my batteries. Thank you.


    If you have an inverter you most certainly can run A/C items from your batteries. My motorhome has six total batteries and a 2000 watt inverter. I can run everything except for my AC's from the batteries.



    Just a little clarification

    A/C is used for 'Air Conditioner'
    AC is for 110V AC power

    Yes with a battery bank and large inverter..many AC appliances can be run.


    Yeah, that's what I meant! :)
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 18, 2014
    One of the problems I have answering this type of question is the line

    "We have 4 batteries"

    now if you say 4 SIX VOLT there is a fair chance they are GC-2's and your total capacity is thus around 450 amp hours (This is rounded)

    But you did not say 6 volt, SO that leaves us to assume.

    Now if you had 12 volt batteries... There are smaller ones but a Group 24 is like 75 amp hours (Again Rounded)

    A 4D is like 230 amp hours

    And there are bigger ones as well.

    So basically, you have told us "I have batteries".
  • Birdie123's avatar
    Birdie123
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2014
    Not diesel and they are 12V. I think maybe they were boondocking with this thing more then plugging in!

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 22, 2025