2 12 volt batterys or 2 6 volt
what gives me the most bang for my money. every other rig that I have bought always had 6 volt battery's but the new one has 2 12 volt. not sure what works better.
Forum Discussion
124 Replies
pnichols wrote:
Obviously you are a 12 volt fan... As you left out a important detail.enblethen wrote:
Yes, there is a lot of difference. The six volt batteries have thicker wider spaced plates then in a twelve volt battery.
Six volt batteries of a given capacity in a 12 volt system have to have thicker plates than 12 volt batteries of the same capacity in a 12V system if the 6V batteries are to last as long as the 12 volt batteries. That's because the individual cells in an all-6 volt battery system carry twice the current day-in day-out as the individual cells carry in an all-12 volt battery system.
A two-battery 6 volt RV system weighing a total of 144 lbs. (two 72 lb. batteries) has no more lead in it than a two-battery 12 volt RV system weighing the same (two 72 lb. batteries). If each system is built with the same technology and quality, then both systems should last about the same length of time if both systems are properly discharged and charged.
Of course, "built with the same technology and quality" and "if both systems are properly discharged and charged" are the key issues if one wants to make sure they're comparing apples to apples whenever they evaluate 6V systems against 12V systems.
72# 12 volt batteries are RARE (I have never personally seen one) and expensive.
OTOH, 6 volters are cheap and easy to find. Ergo, the best bang for the buck.enblethen wrote:
Yes, there is a lot of difference. The six volt batteries have thicker wider spaced plates then in a twelve volt battery.
Six volt batteries of a given capacity in a 12 volt system have to have thicker plates than 12 volt batteries of the same capacity in a 12V system if the 6V batteries are to last as long as the 12 volt batteries. That's because the individual cells in an all-6 volt battery system carry twice the current day-in day-out as the individual cells carry in an all-12 volt battery system.
A two-battery 6 volt RV system weighing a total of 144 lbs. (two 72 lb. batteries) has no more lead in it than a two-battery 12 volt RV system weighing the same (two 72 lb. batteries). If each system is built with the same technology and quality, then both systems should last about the same length of time if both systems are properly discharged and charged.
Of course, "built with the same technology and quality" and "if both systems are properly discharged and charged" are the key issues if one wants to make sure they're comparing apples to apples whenever they evaluate 6V systems against 12V systems.- Seeing as he already has one 12 volt best bang for the buck is adding another identical one.
While it is true six volt jars have thicker plates, they also have to work twice as hard, and do exhibit more voltage drop under large loads (such as running the microwave via an inverter).
The true answer is "it depends". There is no one perfect battery bank, there are systems that do meet the needs of the user. In my case that has always been 12 volt jars. For many others 6 volt is a better fit.enblethen wrote:
For those of us that do a lot of dry camping and winter RVing, capacity is important.
OP asked what the most bang for the buck two six volt batteries or two twelve batteries. - I went through this, this past summer.
I wanted zero maintenance and if they last three or four years I'd be happy.
I bought two SAMs group 31 AGM batteries for $179 each
I don't believe I could by the same amp hours in GC batteries and AGM for anywhere near that price.
Comparable priced GC batteries would be lead acid and require the maintenance I wasn't prepared to deal with. - For those of us that do a lot of dry camping and winter RVing, capacity is important.
OP asked what the most bang for the buck two six volt batteries or two twelve batteries. enblethen wrote:
Yes, there is a lot of difference. The six volt batteries have thicker wider spaced plates then in a twelve volt battery.
Thanks. I don't think that it really makes that much difference to people like me who occasionally want a little extra capacity for lights and maybe a furnace. Since my new trailers usually come with a new 12 volt, I simply add another and go camping.enblethen wrote:
Yes, there is a lot of difference. The six volt batteries have thicker wider spaced plates then in a twelve volt battery.
Thank god you straightened that out. Now I remember why I rebuilt my battery box to hold four 6ers. It also may explain why I hefted them into personnel carriers and various man lifts and other industrial equipment for 35 years. ;)
Now we just need to get people to search everything and stop asking questions and we could just about quit talking on here. :)
I'm going to read about landyachts quirky 31 again. Later- Yes, there is a lot of difference. The six volt batteries have thicker wider spaced plates then in a twelve volt battery.
- Is there really that much difference in 140 pounds of 12volt or 6 volt storage as long as a reputable manufacturer labels them both Deep Cycle? I am not referring to hobbyists who like to watch electrolyte bubble.
- Be sure to wire the 12 volt jars in a balanced manner. Add some solar.
