I am lucky in that my TC has a flexible space for batteries. Currently I have a group 27 interstate marine/Rv battery that I believe has around 100 amp hours (cant find a published number but remember reading that at some point). My battery has been good to me but I wanted to add amp hours and I read that it wasn't good to mix new and old batteries so am thinking of getting two new ones. I have a Costco credit so was looking at their batteries and the cost for the two is about the same and the AH' seem similar:Group 27 115ah x2 = 230ahGc2 6v = 208ahMy question is, are AH's equal? The GC2's say 208ah @ 20hr rate but the group 27's don't say a rate. Can I assume the same measure for both? Is there anything else I should consider when deciding between the two?Finally, I have a WFCO 3 stage charger. Will this be able to handle a multi battery setup and will dual 6's or dual 12's make a difference?Thanks!

What you gain with 6v battery is durability not amp hours. You only want to use about half the ah before charging.

AH on duel 6's and duel grp 27's are near enough to be considered equal. What you lose with duel 6's is commonality with your truck's batt if you ever need it in the boondocks and the ability to power the camper if one batt dies.The WFCO is considered a poor charger here since it is very hard to get it to go into "boost" charge. That is something you'll need if recharging your duel batts from 50% SOC or below in a reasonable amount of time. Do a search here on "WFCO" and you will find the cons and suggestions for replacement.

The 6 volt battery has much thicker plates so it's more rugged. But like said; if ONE battery fails, you are out of luck. Amps are amps in either case. Ohm's law doesn't change. P=I*E if I is equal, say 200 amps, and E is equal, say 12 volts, then P(power in watts) must also be equal.

Hi,If you do stay with 12 volt jars, this is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteriesOthers may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?

I would go 230 vs 208If your WFCO actually gets to 14.4v it will do great.

6V vs. 12V Ah equal? | Good Sam Community

60 Replies

mena661
Explorer
May 28, 2013
2oldman wrote:
skipro3 wrote:
if ONE battery fails, you are out of luck.
What do you say to people who have one 12v battery?
It's a legitimate concern IMO. Nothing wrong at all with mentioning it.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 28, 2013
skipro3 wrote:
if ONE battery fails, you are out of luck.
What do you say to people who have one 12v battery?
HiTech
Explorer
May 28, 2013
A interesting point. It takes a lot move volts to get my flooded 27's bubbling (when needed) compared to say a 24.

Jim
BFL13
Explorer II
May 28, 2013
Besides durability claims, the main diff I found was how easy it is to recharge 6s to 100% back home after a series of 50-90s in a row while camping off grid, compared with the agony of trying to get 27DC batts back to full.

I went with 6s and no more 27s for me! :)
kona12
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Thanks for the responses everyone, very useful! I should have been clearer that my doubling of AH's I was refering too was based on switching from my old single battery system to a new setup with either dual 6's or 12's. either setup will double my old setup.

It looks like the only benefit to going with the 6's would be durability.

I will do the suggested search on wfco chargers. That may limit my a ability to make the switch as funds are tight right now and having to swap badgers could significantly add to the cost of this!
time2roll
Nomad
May 27, 2013
I would go 230 vs 208

If your WFCO actually gets to 14.4v it will do great.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 27, 2013
Hi,

If you do stay with 12 volt jars, this is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.

As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.

If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:

correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries

Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
May 27, 2013
The 6 volt battery has much thicker plates so it's more rugged. But like said; if ONE battery fails, you are out of luck. Amps are amps in either case. Ohm's law doesn't change. P=I*E if I is equal, say 200 amps, and E is equal, say 12 volts, then P(power in watts) must also be equal.
Bend
Explorer
May 27, 2013
AH on duel 6's and duel grp 27's are near enough to be considered equal. What you lose with duel 6's is commonality with your truck's batt if you ever need it in the boondocks and the ability to power the camper if one batt dies.

The WFCO is considered a poor charger here since it is very hard to get it to go into "boost" charge. That is something you'll need if recharging your duel batts from 50% SOC or below in a reasonable amount of time. Do a search here on "WFCO" and you will find the cons and suggestions for replacement.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
May 27, 2013
What you gain with 6v battery is durability not amp hours. You only want to use about half the ah before charging.

Forum Discussion

6V vs. 12V Ah equal?

60 Replies

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