Should I go with 6 volt or 12 volt batteries? Either way I will be converting battery power to AC power via an inverter. Which voltage is better?

Two 6V batteries wired in series are essentially one 12V battery. There really isn't any "better" about it other than 6V batteries are usually always deep cycle batteries and may offer more durability than the more common hybrid Marine deep cycle/starting batteries.

Welcome to the forum.Battery capacity depends on how much dry camping you do and what you want to power with the inverter. For dry or boondocker camping dual 6-volt golf cart batteries are a common setup.

If starting new or replacing old batteries, I would go with a pair of 6 volts over a pair of 12 volts. 6 volts will apparently give you a little more amp hours if that matters to you. But the bigger benefit to me would be that they are more tolerant on heavy lods and dropping down and being able to be recharged. 12 volt batteries need to be babied more, especially depending on usage.

So if I go with two 6 volt batteries say 35 amp hour each. I wire them in series, I get 12 volt at 35 amp. In Parallel, it would be 6 volt at 70 amp?Can I charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series on a 12 volt charger?Is a multi stage charger needed for deep wet cell?If a battery is listed as 725 cold cranking amps, is that about the same as 55 amp hour? Some come right out and say amp hour, others (even though they are deep cell) still only have cca on themNew to this. I want to do it right. Should I go with marine type batteries? AGM? or SLA? They will be placed in a crawl space with air flow.

Is this a good charger: Schumacher SC-1200A/CA SpeedCharge 3/6/12 Amp Charger/Maintainer/Testeror how about this one: Schumacher SSC-1500A-CA Ship 'N' Shore 15 Amp SpeedCharge Charger with Battery Clamps

?? 6 or 12 VOLT BATTERY ?? | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Apr 17, 2015
HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
Planning on power A few 100 watt cfl bulbs so only 23 watts each total 115 watts, maybe a fan 200 watts I am guessing, led tv 50'watt DVD player 50 watt shuffle pressure pump 103 watts, radio50 watts,
total 500 watts or so.
Maybe a coffee maker, toaster, or microwave -all about 1000 watts each but not all on at once.

HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
Going with the Energizer 1500C/3000S watt inverter (I like this one because it has the modified sine wave and a digital read out on the top of the unit so I can mount it to the wall and be able to read it).
OK and I think you are better with 12v lighting and run the big stuff like coffee, toaster, microwave direct off the Yamaha 2000. Some of the electronic controls may not even work properly on MSW. Batteries are slow to charge so 10 minutes of use can be 30 to 60 minutes of charging.

For charging small items like a phone or laptop I recommend 150 to 300 watt sine wave inverter.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 17, 2015
HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
I am pretty sure I am going with 2 Duracell 6 volt 215 amp hour batteries from Sam's Club connected in series to make 1 12 volt at 215 amp hour.
These will serve you well.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 17, 2015
HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
Can I charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series with a 12 volt charger?
Yes but those chargers are too slow.
Far better to invest in a 3-stage converter such as Progressive dynamics 9260.

http://www.bestconverter.com/9200-Series-Deck-Mount_c_84.html
westend
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
willald wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
This is bad advice.

willald wrote:
You can also use 'drinking' water for this, that also is sold in grocery stores by the gallon.

Perhaps, but we've been doing it for years, have never had a problem, yet. :)

I agree, though, that distilled water is better if you can find it. Sometimes you cannot, though, and drinking water will work, and is better than letting a battery cell run dry.

Will
Do you have a dehumidifier?
willald
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
This is bad advice.

willald wrote:
You can also use 'drinking' water for this, that also is sold in grocery stores by the gallon.

Perhaps, but we've been doing it for years, have never had a problem, yet. :)

I agree, though, that distilled water is better if you can find it. Sometimes you cannot, though, and drinking water will work, and is better than letting a battery cell run dry.

Will
CapnCampn
Explorer III
Apr 17, 2015
HVFDFIREFIGHTER wrote:
Can I charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series with a 12 volt charger?

Yes, this is what most people do.

Now you get to think about which charger is best for you. :h

Balance gen time with cost of charger vs ease of use vs... ;)
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 17, 2015
This is bad advice.

willald wrote:
You can also use 'drinking' water for this, that also is sold in grocery stores by the gallon.
HVFDFIREFIGHTER
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
Can I charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series with a 12 volt charger?
HVFDFIREFIGHTER
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
I have an old hood vent from an oven that I got from someone. Not going to actually plug the fan and light in but was thinking of using this overtop of the batteries and venting to the outside.
westend
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015
The 6 volt Golf Car batteries would need to be in a vented area when charging and discharging?

Yes, or a vented battery box. I built a vented box but it is easier to buy a HDPE box for $50 and fashion the vent to the exterior.