What house battery should I buy?

My engine battery will run down in two weeks or less so I disconnect it when we're not traveling.
The lights getting brighter when the generator is on is normal.

I'm curious about the refrigerator though. Is it running on propane?

Matt_Colie wrote:
Well,
...

Lastly - As I keep telling people, Lead/Acid batteries do not play well in parallel. Even if you get two that came off the line one after the other, in parallel you will not see (capacity X 2). You can count on about 1.5 and 1.75 if you careful about charging, but more than that is dreaming....


Matt

Matt,

So, the common four 6v battery arrangement (which is both parallel and series) doesn’t have twice the capacity of two 6v batteries? Makes sense, but I’d never thought that. 1.5 is quite a reduction.

Edit (thought about this some more): Let’s say your batteries are rated for 200 amp/hrs. The first pair of 6v batteries will give you 200 amp/hr capacity (at 12v). Are you saying the 2’d pair will only increase capacity by 100 to 150 amp/hrs? What about the 6 and 8 battery setups; will the 3’d and 4'th pairs contribute even less incremental capacity?

From anything on the batteries can you estimate the year they were made? Depending on good care or abuse 6v batteries will last 2-8 years. Often when getting a used MH batteries is one of the first things you have to replace if it set for a while.

My rig is a 1997 Damon Intruder the batteries are located under the steps. I bought it a few months ago and have only taken it out one time. The alarm didn't come on right away it took a few hours maybe three or so. The batteries look clean so do the cables the battery to start the engine runs down after about a week or two and I have to jump it. I can't find anything left on to draw it down. also the lights are not as bright when the gen is not running. I didn't have the lights on (when camping) for a long time so I don't know if they will get dim in a short time.

Well,
Here we go again.
I should have this in a file I can paste into which ever forum I am reading.

First - "Deep Cycle" as a label is supplied by the manufacturer and it has all the value of "Heavy Duty" or "New and Improved". In short, it does not actually mean anything that you can count on.

Next - Be aware that real deep cycle duty 12V batteries in sizes smaller than 4D (138#) are not a common item. If you buy it at a big box or auto parts place it is probably a marine "combined duty" which means it really isn't good at anything.

Golf Cart batteries are all deep cycle (their service never requires cranking current). There are quality levels. Are Trojan twice as good as Excide or Duracell? From My Experience, Very Possibly. But the price reflects the quality.

Lastly - As I keep telling people, Lead/Acid batteries do not play well in parallel. Even if you get two that came off the line one after the other, in parallel you will not see (capacity X 2). You can count on about 1.5 and 1.75 if you careful about charging, but more than that is dreaming.

There are other issues that I do not feel like taking the time to write about just now.

Me, I do work on expensive long distance cruising boats (sail), and they count on their batteries to be there when they need them.

Matt

JaBob wrote:
I vote for Trojan 105.

Bob

X2 - Mine are 7 years old and still going strong!!

Just be sure to wire them correctly when changing to 6 volt units.

Get the battery/batteries tested to be sure this is your problem FIRST! If you need to replace two 6 volts are better than one 12 volt for dry camping. I've used Exide Batteries from Camping World and very happy with there performance.

Before I replaced the batteries I would have someone put a load tester on your old ones and see if they really are bad,,, Most chain auto parts stores have them and test them free of charge.. You will probably have to take some tools with you and disconnect them one at a time so they can test them independently...

JaBob wrote:
I vote for Trojan 105.

Bob

Well ours on the golf cart are only lasting half as long as they did new in Oct 2007. :B

I like Interstate Batteries because they are sold in so many locations that I feel I can get an adjustment if one goes bad too early. They are competively priced.