Battery recommendation
Hi, what are the latest recommendations for a good deep cycle battery for my trailer? I want wet flooded; not AGM. In a Group 24 size. I'll need two. My local RV shop recommends Interstate at $116 ...
Forum Discussion
Solismaris,
I'd start with an energy audit. From that one can decide how much battery bank is needed.
This can be done by direct measurement, or by calculations.
For direct measurement, find a watt meter such as the inexpensive Kill-a-Watt meter, plug in the rv shore power cord. Total load will need to be kept under 1800 watts or the meter may become a rather poor door stop.
My suggestion is to measure for between three and six days.
Once you know the wattage used per day, it is an easy jump to figuring out battery capacity. If you wish to be totally “off the grid” then use the six day number to size a lead acid battery bank.
For those of you who wish to do a calculation instead here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS (Gale Scholten) has created.
energy audit spreadsheet
I'd start with an energy audit. From that one can decide how much battery bank is needed.
This can be done by direct measurement, or by calculations.
For direct measurement, find a watt meter such as the inexpensive Kill-a-Watt meter, plug in the rv shore power cord. Total load will need to be kept under 1800 watts or the meter may become a rather poor door stop.
My suggestion is to measure for between three and six days.
Once you know the wattage used per day, it is an easy jump to figuring out battery capacity. If you wish to be totally “off the grid” then use the six day number to size a lead acid battery bank.
For those of you who wish to do a calculation instead here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet which includes an energy audit, that N8GS (Gale Scholten) has created.
energy audit spreadsheet
