We are still a few months out from delivery on our already purchased first TT.The dealer emailed me they would swap out a black top battery for a deep cycle one for an upcharge fee. I assume a 'blacktop' is a standard default 'house battery' or marine battery?They said if we plan on doing a lot of dry camping we should get the DC. I can't really say that we will do *a lot* of dry camping but of the few campgrounds we have within an hour from us - some don't have any power and others are a mix of dry & electric sites.We plan on a couple of 5-7 day trips a season to further away campgrounds that will have power; but our plan is to do many local weekenders that - without reservations - may be on non-electric sites.So, if I were do guess I think if might be 60/40 or 70/30 with power.Still go for the DC? After doing a Google search on rv batteries my brain hurts.Deep cycle, marine, glass mat, gel, amp hours, dual 6v, converters, wiring patterns ....ahhhh:SWould one only go with 2x6v's if they constantly boondock?As of now we aren't really ever planning on doing full off grid boondocking.So is that setup overkill for what I need.Finally, I plan on getting a generator. I assume the easiest way to charge the battery is to make sure the genny has an identical 30a outlet that will receive my TT power cord?Unsure of what size genny to get also. Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks

brianosaur wrote:Would one only go with 2x6v's if they constantly boondock?I assume the easiest way to charge the battery is to make sure the gene has an identical 30a outlet that will receive my TT power cord?Unsure of what size gene to get also. Any advice would be appreciated.2x6v would be the minimum for boondocking. Most of us have inverters which can demand a lot from batteries.No, you don't need a 30a socket. Adapters are fine.For your light use I'd suggest a 1000w Honda. Very quiet, very dependable.

My suggestion is don't upgrade the battery with the dealer. Use the money that you would spend and buy better batteries yourself.I just bought my trailer and that's what I am doing. Going with 2 6V Trojan T-105s and 200W of solar.

I would simply ask them WHAT battery they will provide at what upcharge. Then go price it and compare amphours, etc.I normally dry camp. I have a blue top group 34 optima agm battery. I can go 5 days without any drop. I use a fluorescent light in the evening for cooking, preparing for bed, etc. My fridge doesn't use any 12v power. My water pump is on the entire time. I use propane for the water heater. I charge my cell phone and kindle as needed. I do not have a microwave, tv, dvd, hairdryer, toaster, etc. I cook with the propane stove and oven.

So would there ever be a reason NOT to get a DC battery and keep the house marine one?...other than cost?Or for that matter would there ever be a reason NOT to get 2x6v batteries?Even if I have shore power 90% of the time would having a high AH dual 6v setup ever be an issue? Would they last a shorter time if not regularly cycled?

How many nights at a time are you planning to dry camp? For 1, maybe 2 nights a single 12V standard battery would do. I'm running 2 Group 29 batteries, an upgraded converter, and a Honda 2000i generator.

Battery Advice Needed & Charging Questions | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 13, 2017
Deep cycle are preferred for house jars.
brianosaur
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
Okay. Yes I doubt we will be ever be dry camping more then 3 days anytime in the near future.

So I am thinking about keeping the house battery for now and get a DC once it dies out.

The genny can charge the battery when needed for the couple of days that we go at a time.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 13, 2017
brianosaur wrote:
mbopp wrote:
How many nights at a time are you planning to dry camp? For 1, maybe 2 nights a single 12V standard battery would do. I'm running 2 Group 29 batteries, an upgraded converter, and a Honda 2000i generator.

Oh okay, so it's more about the LENGTH of time for a dry camping getaway NOT how OFTEN one goes dry camping. :S

I read over and over again on battery posts and blogs that "If you do A LOT of dry camping then DC or 2x6v is better".

"A lot" interpreted as "how often". Very misleading.

"Yeah, we go three times a month for a Friday and Saturday night, so six nights a month."

vs

"Yeah, we go once a month from Sunday to Saturday - so six nights a month."

I see a clear difference now.:R
Sheeze, your one simple statement should be the standard quote.

Actually it's more "Yeah we go for a max of 3 days at a time". If you go dry camping only for 2 or 3 nights, then you might not need more battery.

Again, I would simply get the battery info and price from the salesman and then go price it if you buy it on your own. You may find they are charging you more than you could buy it on your own. In that case, you would be better off staying with the regular battery and then seeing if you'll need more.
brianosaur
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
mbopp wrote:
How many nights at a time are you planning to dry camp? For 1, maybe 2 nights a single 12V standard battery would do. I'm running 2 Group 29 batteries, an upgraded converter, and a Honda 2000i generator.

Oh okay, so it's more about the LENGTH of time for a dry camping getaway NOT how OFTEN one goes dry camping. DOH!:S

I read over and over again on battery posts and blogs that "If you do A LOT of dry camping then 2x6v is better".

"A lot" interpreted as "how often". Very misleading.

"Yeah, we go three times a month for a Friday and Saturday night, so six nights a month."

vs

"Yeah, we go once a month from Sunday to Saturday - so six nights a month."

I see a clear difference now.:R
Silly that I missed it. Glad this is the *Beginning RVing* section :)
Sheeze, your one simple statement should be the standard quote.
mbopp
Explorer
Oct 13, 2017
How many nights at a time are you planning to dry camp? For 1, maybe 2 nights a single 12V standard battery would do. I'm running 2 Group 29 batteries, an upgraded converter, and a Honda 2000i generator.
brianosaur
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2017
So would there ever be a reason NOT to get a DC battery and keep the house marine one?

...other than cost?

Or for that matter would there ever be a reason NOT to get 2x6v batteries?

Even if I have shore power 90% of the time would having a high AH dual 6v setup ever be an issue? Would they last a shorter time if not regularly cycled?
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 12, 2017
I would simply ask them WHAT battery they will provide at what upcharge. Then go price it and compare amphours, etc.

I normally dry camp. I have a blue top group 34 optima agm battery. I can go 5 days without any drop. I use a fluorescent light in the evening for cooking, preparing for bed, etc. My fridge doesn't use any 12v power. My water pump is on the entire time. I use propane for the water heater. I charge my cell phone and kindle as needed. I do not have a microwave, tv, dvd, hairdryer, toaster, etc. I cook with the propane stove and oven.
babock
Explorer
Oct 12, 2017
My suggestion is don't upgrade the battery with the dealer. Use the money that you would spend and buy better batteries yourself.

I just bought my trailer and that's what I am doing. Going with 2 6V Trojan T-105s and 200W of solar.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2017
brianosaur wrote:
Would one only go with 2x6v's if they constantly boondock?I assume the easiest way to charge the battery is to make sure the gene has an identical 30a outlet that will receive my TT power cord?

Unsure of what size gene to get also. Any advice would be appreciated.
2x6v would be the minimum for boondocking. Most of us have inverters which can demand a lot from batteries.

No, you don't need a 30a socket. Adapters are fine.

For your light use I'd suggest a 1000w Honda. Very quiet, very dependable.

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Battery Advice Needed & Charging Questions

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