A little information regarding my trailer: Its a 2005 29' eclipse attitude toy hauler. Right now I have 2 6 volt batteries hooked up to my trailer in parallel and the trailer is wired for 2 batteries. They are dead because I left them hooked up for a bit too long I suppose. So I'm in the market to purchase new batteries.My question is not what is the better option but rather more practical for me. We rarely - actually will never - camp off the grid. The few places we take the trailer all have hook-ups. So really the only time I need the batteries is during travel, maybe to run the fridge, using the electric jack, etc...Is it possible to run only 1 12 volt, or 2 12 volts rather than the 2 6 volts? This is relatively new to me and I'm not looking for a cheaper alternative, only a practicable solution for my needs. Thanks in advance!

If you have 2-6v now then they are in series not parallel. Given you camp with hookups then I would just replace with a single 12V marine/deep cycle AGM battery and call it good. You wont have to monitor water levels like you do with the 6V.I would figure out your charging situation however as you will likely just toast the new battery. TO leave hooked up to shore power you need a charge controller that can step down the voltage/current when the battery is fully charged.

I recommend one 12 volt. Deep cycle trolling from WalMart is fine.Costco or Sam's Club should also have a 12v deep cycle.BTW all batteries prefer to be connected and charging while in storage. Do watch the water level. Allowing any battery to discharge in storage will severely reduce its life. Consider 50 to 100 watts of solar if stored without power.

N-Trouble wrote:If you have 2-6v now then they are in series not parallel. Given you camp with hookups then I would just replace with a single 12V marine/deep cycle AGM battery and call it good. You wont have to monitor water levels like you do with the 6V.I would figure out your charging situation however as you will likely just toast the new battery. TO leave hooked up to shore power you need a charge controller that can step down the voltage/current when the battery is fully charged.Yes you are right, its in a series as they are hooked up via a jumper from one batteries neg. to the others pos., good catch. smkettner wrote:I recommend one 12 volt. Deep cycle trolling from WalMart is fine.Costco or Sam's Club should also have a 12v deep cycle.BTW all batteries prefer to be connected and charging while in storage. Do watch the water level. Allowing any battery to discharge in storage will severely reduce its life. Consider 50 to 100 watts of solar if stored without power.Both of you, thank you for the suggestions. Looks like I'll search for a good 12V battery then!

Costco is a great place to get the batteries. But before giving up on those, try looking them over and filling them with water, and see if you can charge them. Chances are that you will never get more than about 60% of it's new performance, and you might want to skip that step if you have already decided to buy better batteries.Golf cart batteries can stand a lot of abuse, but leaving them at less than 10 volts is a problem that no battery can recover from at times. 12 volt batteries are not nearly as likely to withstand any abuse. A 100 watt solar panel will keep them full while in storage, if you remember to turn off the propane detector and CO meter. Those two alone will use about all the power a 75 watt panel will produce in a day. SunElec.com sells a 140 watt panel for only about $229. You can mount it yourself, and wire it with some from Home Depot (Grey direct burial wire #10 rated at about 15 amps limit and can be exposed to the sun). I made mounts from 2" angle aluminum that is 6" long and 3 holes for #10 screws into the roof, and 5/16" hole for a 1/4-20 bolt into the solar panel frame. It holds the panel about 1" above the roof, so cool air can circulate under the panel, it will put out more amps when cooler. Good luck,Fred.

Judging from your post the cheapest car starting battery even a junkyard battery stands the same chance as the most expensive RV battery. That way when it flatlines it won't hit you too hard.

2 - 6 volt batteries or 2 - 12 volt batteries or...

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
Junkyard's gottem. A dome light shining for three hours or radio playing will tax a battery just as little. Why spend money for nothing? A Power Pedestal Princess needs the same battery as a Honda Civic. A toy hauler has no real hotel loads.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
Chit happens... If I was stranded somewhere away from AC I would sure want at least one capable battery that could get me through. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best...
azrving
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
Get a sams or wally marine deep 12 v and a blue seas battery switch so you can eliminate all draws during storage.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Sounds like the toy hauler will see severe non-use at least as far as the battery is concerned. Unless of course it's way cooler to destroy a hundred forty-dollar battery rather than a twenty dollar battery.

Well it appears that we are seeing this from differing primary objectives.

My objective is to have it work when I need it to and to last as long as possible. You seem to be ignoring most of that and instead focusing on the out of pocket expense at the moment.

An AGM battery, or even a good deep cycle maybe, that is initially fully charged will easily sit for 6 months at a time with no appreciable self-discharge and no significant sulphation AND should last at least 5 years if not abused otherwise.

If you don't mind having to replace the battery maybe every year....or even every 6 months.....then go for the $20 one. I for one have better things to do with my time......which is becoming more valuable as the years pass.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 29, 2015
Hi Vulcan,

The OP doesn't off the grid at all. Almost any battery will do what the OP needs, even one that, for a boondocker, would be a boat anchor.

Since I use up to 276 amps instantaneous, via an inverter, 12 volt jars fit my particular needs. That would not suit most folks.

Do read what the OP wants to do before condemning sage advice.

Honestly he could probably manage on 8 or 10 rechargeable "D" cells or a lawn tractor battery.
jrnymn7
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
I would first try resurrecting those 6's back to life. A result of 100% performance is not needed in this particular case.

Then consider your on-going maintenance options... grid, solar, alternator.
tpi
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
How old are the batteries that are dead? When was the last time they had life in them? I've resurrected a completely dead car battery (sat for over a year dead) -one my smart charger wouldn't charge but my dumb charger would get something going after a few days on it. Then an equalization from the smart charger. It may have been damaged but it was enough to continue to start the car.

I agree-once battery is solved find a way of maintaining it...
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015
Junkyard special to thousand dollar lithium battery this is the perfect way to destroy it...

"I left them hooked up for a bit too long I suppose"

While on the road the tow vehicle replenishes power used for refrigerator, etc. via it's charging system.

I am not fixating on price. My decision is based solely on fitting what is needed not dogmatic reaction to "What Seems To Be Right".

Forum Discussion

2 - 6 volt batteries or 2 - 12 volt batteries or...

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Batteries

Battery recommendations

Winterizing - remove batteries or not?

Batteries?

Battery Disconnect switch/charging - ON OR OFF?