Battery Questions
Hello,
The battery that came with my 2017 5th wheel took a complete charge and I unhooked it from charger planning on putting it back in the 5th wheel but I got delayed by a few days. Today I went to put it back and decided to check the charge level (using my battery charger) and discovered that it dropped by almost 50% in about 6 days. The battery is a Deka Marine Master 625 CCA battery. It is not an AGM battery. I have always kept the water/acid topped off using only distilled water. It is just over two years old based on date I got the RV.
In my previous 5th wheel I had an Optima Blue Top battery. I was very happy with that battery as it performed well and no maintenance other than putting a full charge in it every spring.
If I have to replace the Deka battery I was looking at the Optima batteries and saw two that would fit my battery box.
Optima Blue Top Marine Battery, Group Size D34M, 750 CCA $276.00
Specifications
Cold Cranking Amperage:
750 A
Cranking Amperage:
870 A
Negative Terminal Location:
Top Right
Positive Terminal Location:
Top Left
Reserve Capacity:
120 min
Terminal Type:
Top Mount
Voltage:
12.0 VDC
Optima Blue Top Marine Battery, Group Size 27M, 800 CCA $298.00
Specifications
Cold Cranking Amperage:
800 A
Cranking Amperage:
1000 A
Negative Terminal Location:
Top Left
Positive Terminal Location:
Top Right
Reserve Capacity:
140 min
Terminal Type:
Top Mount
Voltage:
12.0 VDC
Now since the battery is only used to supply 12 volt power to my 5th wheel the cranking capacity really doesn't mean anything to me right?
I should really be concerned with the reserve capacity if my thought process is correct. So the real difference is 20 minutes additional reserve capacity for an additional cost of $22.00.
We do not as of now boondock other than an overnight in a rest area on occasion. I do have a small inverter hooked up to be able to make coffee etc. when needed.
Is the extra 20 minutes worth the $22.00?
Are there better maintenance free batteries that I should consider?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Dave
The battery that came with my 2017 5th wheel took a complete charge and I unhooked it from charger planning on putting it back in the 5th wheel but I got delayed by a few days. Today I went to put it back and decided to check the charge level (using my battery charger) and discovered that it dropped by almost 50% in about 6 days. The battery is a Deka Marine Master 625 CCA battery. It is not an AGM battery. I have always kept the water/acid topped off using only distilled water. It is just over two years old based on date I got the RV.
In my previous 5th wheel I had an Optima Blue Top battery. I was very happy with that battery as it performed well and no maintenance other than putting a full charge in it every spring.
If I have to replace the Deka battery I was looking at the Optima batteries and saw two that would fit my battery box.
Optima Blue Top Marine Battery, Group Size D34M, 750 CCA $276.00
Specifications
Cold Cranking Amperage:
750 A
Cranking Amperage:
870 A
Negative Terminal Location:
Top Right
Positive Terminal Location:
Top Left
Reserve Capacity:
120 min
Terminal Type:
Top Mount
Voltage:
12.0 VDC
Optima Blue Top Marine Battery, Group Size 27M, 800 CCA $298.00
Specifications
Cold Cranking Amperage:
800 A
Cranking Amperage:
1000 A
Negative Terminal Location:
Top Left
Positive Terminal Location:
Top Right
Reserve Capacity:
140 min
Terminal Type:
Top Mount
Voltage:
12.0 VDC
Now since the battery is only used to supply 12 volt power to my 5th wheel the cranking capacity really doesn't mean anything to me right?
I should really be concerned with the reserve capacity if my thought process is correct. So the real difference is 20 minutes additional reserve capacity for an additional cost of $22.00.
We do not as of now boondock other than an overnight in a rest area on occasion. I do have a small inverter hooked up to be able to make coffee etc. when needed.
Is the extra 20 minutes worth the $22.00?
Are there better maintenance free batteries that I should consider?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Dave
