My wife and I just bought our first camper a few weeks ago, a 2004 Flagstaff 176 Pop-Up. I'm pretty sure the battery is original, the previous owner always camped where there were hookups and didn't know if it would hold a charge. It wouldn't charge when the camper was plugged into AC power for several days, and it also wouldn't charged when hooked directly to a battery charger, so I'm pretty sure it is bad. I want to replace it but not sure of the best kind to get. I know some can be damaged if discharged past a certain point. Are they all this way? Can some be discharged father? I don't mind spending a little extra if it will have more capacity as I do plan on dry camping. Also, I might consider getting a second battery, however I don't have room on the front of the camper for another battery, (pretty small camper). Would it be safe to transport a second battery inside the camper? It would be in a battery box and secured, then removed from the inside once we are camping.

use a deep cycle battery they are designed to be discharged and charged. check your converter to see if it charges the battery I have a 95 jayco pop up and the manual on the converter says converter not suitable to charge battery. mine has a three position switch on the panel battery-off-converter.

if you are going to be hooked up when you go camping then you really don't need a real expensive battery. If you boondock a lot than I would get a 105 series deep cycle. the battery when hooked up the TT doesn't used the battery very much, the hookup handles all the heavy lifting.

You can get a deep cycle battery at a farm and fleet type of store, tractor supply, Costco, and most auto parts stores. Costco probably has the best price.You will be looking for something that will fit within the battery compartment, has water fill that you can take off monthly to check and add more distilled water to it. Deep cycle batteries use water when charged, thus you need to check monthly and add as required. If it is sealed, then it will not last nearly as long as one that you can add water. If you plan on a lot of boondock camping, then a pair of golf cart batteries can last several years. I got 13 years out of one set of Trojan golf cart batteries, 6.5 years out of their replacement. I never got more than about 2 years out of a 12 volt battery. Good luck, Fred.

The standard size battery is a Group 24. For a few more $$$ you can get a G27 or G29 and it will probably fit the battery box you already have.How many days do you plan on staying w/o hookups? On our PU we could go 3 days with running the water pump and lights. But if you run the furnace all bets are off, you'll get one night out of the battery.

Read The 12 Volt Side of LIfe. It may help with your decision.

Battery Advice, need to buy a new one | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2014
RJsfishin wrote:
I never did agree w/ the "TRUE" deep cycle definition as is mostly posted here..
I agree w/ the good better and best in deep cycle batteries.
I believe any battery that is advertised as being designed soley for deep cycle use, including the likes of the WM DC-6, is a true deep cycle battery,

RJ, that is more or less how I determine if a battery is a "True Deep Cycle" (is it advertised as multi use or deep only).

And I agree with you by the way.

Best is a battery designed for DEEP CYCLE use only, of these the most common is the six volt golf car battery of which you need two.

They also make a 12 volt golf car battery now days though. Theory has it, that it too will be good but... Look at the amp hour rating.

Also, Amp hour times virtual constant = weight. (Some variation in constant brand to brand)
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
I never did agree w/ the "TRUE" deep cycle definition as is mostly posted here..
I agree w/ the good better and best in deep cycle batteries.
I believe any battery that is advertised as being designed soley for deep cycle use, including the likes of the WM DC-6, is a true deep cycle battery,
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Well, I am going to ask a question at this point if I may...

If the Wal-Mart, Costco, and Interstate are all "combination" cyclable marine batteries, whom pray tell manufactures a "true" deep cycle battery in a group 24, 27, or 29 jar?

Thank you
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2014
Joshua,
The most common setup found on the majority of trailers is the marine/RV type hybrid deep cycle battery. Are they the best? Are they true "deep cycle". No to both but they are economical and a lot of bang for the buck. 2 of these wired correctly will serve you well IMO. The true deep cycles get very pricy and you can go this route if you like, but for your PUP, I feel it's unnecessary. Economical Group 24 RV/Marine batteries come from Interstate, Wal Mart, Costco etc and can usually be found for about $70 each. I've been using them for over 10 years and they serve my purpose just fine.
JoshuaH
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
RJsfishin wrote:
There is nothing wrong w/ any 12v genuine deep cycle battery. If they are charged and maintained correctly, they will last a long time. To do this, you may need to change out your converter/charger to a "3 - 4 stage, like a "PD 9245"......very popular and priced right on ebay

If you state the name and model of your present converter/charger, maybe we could help more.

I don't know the make/model off the top of my head, but when I get home tonight I'll look it up and post it. I do remember reading from the manual that it will charge the battery, I think it will only do it when the system has been idle for a while.

Thanks everyone for the good info.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
There is nothing wrong w/ any 12v genuine deep cycle battery. If they are charged and maintained correctly, they will last a long time. To do this, you may need to change out your converter/charger to a "3 - 4 stage, like a "PD 9245"......very popular and priced right on ebay

If you state the name and model of your present converter/charger, maybe we could help more.
gbopp
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Read The 12 Volt Side of LIfe. It may help with your decision.
mbopp
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
The standard size battery is a Group 24. For a few more $$$ you can get a G27 or G29 and it will probably fit the battery box you already have.
How many days do you plan on staying w/o hookups? On our PU we could go 3 days with running the water pump and lights. But if you run the furnace all bets are off, you'll get one night out of the battery.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
You can get a deep cycle battery at a farm and fleet type of store, tractor supply, Costco, and most auto parts stores. Costco probably has the best price.

You will be looking for something that will fit within the battery compartment, has water fill that you can take off monthly to check and add more distilled water to it. Deep cycle batteries use water when charged, thus you need to check monthly and add as required. If it is sealed, then it will not last nearly as long as one that you can add water.

If you plan on a lot of boondock camping, then a pair of golf cart batteries can last several years. I got 13 years out of one set of Trojan golf cart batteries, 6.5 years out of their replacement. I never got more than about 2 years out of a 12 volt battery.

Good luck,

Fred.
old_guy
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
if you are going to be hooked up when you go camping then you really don't need a real expensive battery. If you boondock a lot than I would get a 105 series deep cycle. the battery when hooked up the TT doesn't used the battery very much, the hookup handles all the heavy lifting.