What aux batteries have you had the best luck with?

full_mosey wrote:
I prefer AGM. I find AGM convenient because I don't need to deal with water replacement, acid mist or Hydrogen gas.

Some say FLAs are cheaper, but no one around here is willing to engage in a life cycle cost analysis. I would be surprised if the difference is great, either direction.

My two Interstate 100 amp-hour AGMs cost about $49 each and are about 5 months away from being 7 years old ... so I guess a life cycle cost analysis for my unusual case would come out as superbly in favor of AGM batteries. (I got them installed new by my RV dealer under the motorhome's overall warranty.)

However, since normally one would probably spend $225-$250 apiece for them, probably a life cycle analysis would favor FLA batteries ... IF AND ONLY IF AGM battery zero maintenance wasn't given any weight in the analysis. Some of us value the AGM install-em'-and-forget-em' feature of very high value in any life cycle analysis.

aaron7 wrote:
Thanks for the links. I'm very familiar with battery types, sizes, etc... I've just never replaced one on an RV yet.

No one mentioned gel or AGM batteries though; not something necessary?

Is there a reason for the dual 6v batteries? More amperage? Less wear and tear on each of them?

I have been 100% AGM since Jan 2009. So yes they do work.

Necessary, no.

I use mine inside my living space(s) without any outside venting. The total volume of the living space(s) exceeds the cubic foot specs per OSHA, IOW, potential Hydrogen gas volumes are below allowable risk for possible fire hazard. I feel safe.

I prefer AGM. I find AGM convenient because I don't need to deal with water replacement, acid mist or Hydrogen gas.

Some say FLAs are cheaper, but no one around here is willing to engage in a life cycle cost analysis. I would be surprised if the difference is great, either direction.

HTH;
John

We have had two of these wired in parallel in our RV for over 6 1/2 years and they're still going strong. They require no maintenance at all (they're AGM type) and I keep them charged up with the stock RV converter and the engine alternator. You'll probably have to have an Interstate dealer order them for you because they won't normally have them in stock:

http://www.helioselectric.com/sales/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=291

Here's more info on Interstate's complete line of these type of batteries - look down near the bottom of the chart for the Group 29/31 100 amp hour models I'm referring to. Note that Interstate markets them as batteries for wheelchairs, but that the other link above talks about them as also being a battery of choice for various off-grid and solar battery applications. I actually use the DCM0100L model so I can put bolts through the lugs:

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/content/product_info/wheelchair_spec.asp

Definitely use a Car Battery to start the Outboard. Add a Trolling Motor, then separate Deep Cycle, not a Dual Purpose.

Agree on Interstate's reputation.

Another one of those things I can't prove, but firmly believe to be true: Two 6V batteries, paired in series to get a high capacity 12, seem to work fine. Two 12V, paired in parallel to get the capacity of that pair of 6V, NOT SO MUCH. It seems that one of them, if it develops any kind of problem, will kill the other. That seemed to be the case with the DieHards we had in a pair, and same happened with the GelCells I tried to pair. One seemed better than a pair.

I have read that two 6-volt Trojan T-105 type batteries in series have more plate area than a single 12 volt RV battery and thus more capacity. They are designed for severe daily discharge and recharge use in golf carts and are original equipment in many new RV's. There are similar batteries sold through Camping World, etc. Maybe Interstate and others have their version.

Bingo, here's Interstate's version, check their prices against Trojans:

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Content.aspx?dsNav=Ntk~SearchGroup|RV6Volt|3|

"Burl, I'm nobody's battery expert but I'm not sure about the Dual-Purpose version. Does it do either job as well as one focused on that purpose?"

No. I am not sure if I've ever gotten much over 3 yrs on the dual purpose 'marine' WM batts. I have one in our small boat also, but it only starts the outboard, so a simple batt. could suffice.

I have also hward good about Interstate.

The Delco in the RV Chevy chassis is over 8 yrs old now!

HI arron7 from denny and ida through all the years of bass fishing and all the makes of batteries there is on the market, I have only one battery make in our car ,truck, bass boat. INTERSTATE BATTERIES give them a good look. they may be a little more in cost but well worth it good luck.

Deep-Discharge a Car Battery very many times and it's shot. Depending on where you got it, Yes, you can replace it.
The "Deep Cycle/RV/Trolling Motor" battery will recover. Heck, it's supposedly made to recover... But they don't last.
Just bought (last week!) an Ever-Whatever from WalMart. $75 for one-year battery. Replaced a 3-1/2 year-old SamsClub 3-year battery. Sam's replacement was now one-year and $80. The auto supply brand (from Advance) was $100 and still one-year.
All these were plan old "flooded lead-acid" batteries. I had some used gel-cells and they didn't hold up at all. Previous C came with two 12V DieHard deep cycles and they didn't hold up either. I don't know who now makes DieHard, mine were 12 years ago.
Burl, I'm nobody's battery expert but I'm not sure about the Dual-Purpose version. Does it do either job as well as one focused on that purpose?
Even though we camp only at hookup sites, I believe in:
An RV fridge
Deep Cycle battery
Working Generator
We live where we're subject to power outages and storm evacuations. RV is for fun, but also an Escape Pod. I want it to be able to go off the grid for awhile.

Artum Snowbird wrote:
A lot depends on how you use it. If you go camping and use some of your battery, then move on and charge when driving, I would buy the longest warranty car battery. You should get 8 to 10 years from it.

But if you use all your battery occasionally, you want deep discharge batteries that can stand that and come back when you recharge. More expensive for sure, but very seldom really needed.

THX

I have been waiting to hear this. I would like to put a maintenance free regular batt down there and forget about it. We seldom boondock.

When our current WM dual cycle goes out - as they are so prone to doing - I want a regular batt.

Thanks for the links. I'm very familiar with battery types, sizes, etc... I've just never replaced one on an RV yet.

No one mentioned gel or AGM batteries though; not something necessary?

Is there a reason for the dual 6v batteries? More amperage? Less wear and tear on each of them?