Battery question
My batteries are reaching the end of their good useful life and I am wondering whether to replace them with two 6 volt rather than two 12 volt ones? Would I have to change my inverter, I have a 2012 J...
Forum Discussion
The points to consider.
First two six volt batteries connected together in SERIES = one BIG 12 volt battery.. and when properly installed (IN SERIES) that is what they are.
THERE are THUS no six volt batteries in RV's.. just 12 volt that are spit into 2 pieces for ease of handling and installation. Think of them this way and many questions get answered (IE: Do I have to change my inverter.. NO you don't since you still have a 12 volt system. though you may wish to adjust more on that later)
Next: The most common type of 12 volt battery in an RV is "Multi-Purpose" that is MAREINE/deep cycle or MARINE/rv. MARINE means it is a starting battery raded for Cranking amps (32 degrees and above) but not COLD craking amps (ZERO F).
deep cycle (lower case) Means next to nothing.... These batteries need to be maintainwed at 75-80% State of chargem going lower causes rapid aging... Going very low.. they MIGHT recover but do not count on it.
A full Starting battery is about the same with teh exception of the word MIGHT, they do not often recover, rare enough to say they won't.
A DEEP CYCLE battery such as a Golf Car battery (GC-2, what do you think the GC stands for??) is designed to go down to half full (50% state of charge) and stands a fairly good chance of recovery if it goes lower but is promptly re-charged.... Mine did several times over 9 years and the replacewments have once (Converter died).
Some capacity ratings, Remember for MARINE/deep cycle or MARINE/rv you can only use 20%
Group 24, about 75 AH
Group 27 95
Group 29 105
Group 31 130
GC-2 (You can use half) 220 give or take 10 (my first ones were 215 and my new ones 230) NOTE You do not add capacity when wired in series, you add voltage
Finan comments: Due to the large number of golf cars in the world (Think of all the golf cars that follow the president around Mar-A-largo) the lines that make these batteries basically do not shut down and re-tool This means lower per unit cost. So this is the battery that gives you the most BANG for your BUCK.
It is thus what I recommend.
Now on inverter adjustments.. Some invereters you can set the capacity of the battery this affects the maximum charg rate when it is in charge mode.
A pair of Group 24's would be 150 amps.. You may wish to dial it up to 200 or 210 for a pair of GC-2's.. I would suggest a bit light.. Mine was set to 400 amp horus but I have over 500 amp horus of battery in this house.
First two six volt batteries connected together in SERIES = one BIG 12 volt battery.. and when properly installed (IN SERIES) that is what they are.
THERE are THUS no six volt batteries in RV's.. just 12 volt that are spit into 2 pieces for ease of handling and installation. Think of them this way and many questions get answered (IE: Do I have to change my inverter.. NO you don't since you still have a 12 volt system. though you may wish to adjust more on that later)
Next: The most common type of 12 volt battery in an RV is "Multi-Purpose" that is MAREINE/deep cycle or MARINE/rv. MARINE means it is a starting battery raded for Cranking amps (32 degrees and above) but not COLD craking amps (ZERO F).
deep cycle (lower case) Means next to nothing.... These batteries need to be maintainwed at 75-80% State of chargem going lower causes rapid aging... Going very low.. they MIGHT recover but do not count on it.
A full Starting battery is about the same with teh exception of the word MIGHT, they do not often recover, rare enough to say they won't.
A DEEP CYCLE battery such as a Golf Car battery (GC-2, what do you think the GC stands for??) is designed to go down to half full (50% state of charge) and stands a fairly good chance of recovery if it goes lower but is promptly re-charged.... Mine did several times over 9 years and the replacewments have once (Converter died).
Some capacity ratings, Remember for MARINE/deep cycle or MARINE/rv you can only use 20%
Group 24, about 75 AH
Group 27 95
Group 29 105
Group 31 130
GC-2 (You can use half) 220 give or take 10 (my first ones were 215 and my new ones 230) NOTE You do not add capacity when wired in series, you add voltage
Finan comments: Due to the large number of golf cars in the world (Think of all the golf cars that follow the president around Mar-A-largo) the lines that make these batteries basically do not shut down and re-tool This means lower per unit cost. So this is the battery that gives you the most BANG for your BUCK.
It is thus what I recommend.
Now on inverter adjustments.. Some invereters you can set the capacity of the battery this affects the maximum charg rate when it is in charge mode.
A pair of Group 24's would be 150 amps.. You may wish to dial it up to 200 or 210 for a pair of GC-2's.. I would suggest a bit light.. Mine was set to 400 amp horus but I have over 500 amp horus of battery in this house.
