12V deep cycle batteries are becoming popular for 48V golf carts. Here’s a comparison of 6V vs 12V flooded deep cycle batteries for 12V RV house battery bank. This suggests that 12V deep cycle batteries may become more popular in RVs. Crown CR-GC150 12V deep cycle – 4 batteries 150 Ah each:364 sq in, 324 lbs, 600 Ah, $700Trojan T125 6V deep cycle – 4 batteries 240 Ah each:294 sq in, 264 lbs, 480 Ah, $724 Trojan T105 6V deep cycle – 6 batteries 225 Ah each: 439 sq in, 372 lbs, 675 Ah, $774The numbers are the totals for the given battery bank and the size is the footprint of the combined batteries.

I was pleased with my two much-used (beat up) T-1275s (from a golf car set of four) that lasted me five years in the 5er. I think starting with new T-1275s would be great.Actually, the golf car shop had either four T-1275s to make the 48v or else six 8 volt batts. They said (was in 2013) they were going to the 8v choice because that gave the golf cars more scoot. Don't think that applies to RV house battery banks.

When I tested cyclability of Trojan T-105 Golf car versus floor scrubber batteries in the early nineties (32 batteries each type) it was found the golf car batteries significantly out cycled the scrubber battery.= They lasted longer and the difference between the 2 exceeded 15%The significance was attributed to excess acid of the T-105The scrubber was designed to fit floor scrubber machines -- a very limited amount of room. Per cubic inch of space taken the scrubber batteries gave significantly more ampere hours at the ten hour rate and significantly less at the 100 hour rate than the golf car battery.No studies were conducted with improperly maintained batteries of either type.

That seems to confirm that the 12v T-1275s were better at high draw with inverter (microwave etc) than the 6v batts.Gets complicated choosing the optimum set for your house batts if you camp with a mix of high draw inverter, low draw RV stuff, and with a mix of shallow cycles (with solar) and deep cycles (50-90s no solar).

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:When I tested cyclability of Trojan T-105 Golf car versus floor scrubber batteries in the early nineties (32 batteries each type) it was found the golf car batteries significantly out cycled the scrubber battery.= They lasted longer and the difference between the 2 exceeded 15%The significance was attributed to excess acid of the T-105The scrubber was designed to fit floor scrubber machines -- a very limited amount of room. Per cubic inch of space taken the scrubber batteries gave significantly more ampere hours at the ten hour rate and significantly less at the 100 hour rate than the golf car battery.No studies were conducted with improperly maintained batteries of either type.your data is consistent with the life chart for trojan 12V deep cycle vs 6V GC. when discharged to 50% Although the trojan cycle life for 12V is probably long enough for many user that the battery will die for other reasons before dying from cycle life.12V "true" deep cycle Advantage- much better when used in applications having high draw, microwave etc. Disadvantage:lower cycle life, many not be an issue for many applicationsNot as readily available as GC.Bigger one is that Trojan, at least the last data I had indicated the 12V does NOT like being discharged below 50%. While the GC still has a life cycle >500 cycles at 75% DOD. So useable AH advantage goes to the GC. But then my experience is that 2GC don't like driving a 900W microwave once down below about 80% SOC. and others have seen similar. 4GC will work down to near 50%. I suspect a pair of 12V would run the microwave fine down to 50%. Each battery only supplies 50% of the draw, and much lower resistance.So...... pick what fits your application. Have to trade off something.

The only "Complaint" (note the quotes is that you used CROWN CG-12s and Trojan CG-2s Might have been more fare if you used Interstate or Deaka CG-2'sor better yet Chrowns.EXCEPT FOR PRICE..... Let me do some math. This is higher level than I've done in a while (Least common demonator stuff)150/220 Let's go with 3 pair GC-2 (660 amp hours) and 4 GC-12s (600 amp hour)The only real difference other than price is 10% Amp hours. Both will perform nearly identically If the GC-12's get you there for less $$$. GO FOR IT.

Deep Cycle 12V Batteries | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

mordecai81
Explorer
May 15, 2019
In the future I may go to 2 6v batts because I assume it'll be easier to lift 2 62lb batts one at a time than a single 84lb 12v. That is always awkward and straining.
steveh27
Explorer
May 14, 2019
TY for the reply. I wish I had room for a pair of GC batteries.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 14, 2019
steveh27 wrote:
wa8yxm,

I've been doing this for 20 years. Obviously I need to know if it will fit the batt box. My question was is there something about this battery that precludes just using one? The web sites I found all have them in sets of 4.

Oh no. the reason you see 'em in sets of 4 is that you are not seeing sets of 4 12 volt battery (Well you are. but you are not)
What you are seeing is ONE 48 volt battery

-12+-12+-12+-12+=48 volts

Golf cars use 48 volt batteries which for ease of handling are split into 4 12 volt parts...

This is the same as many RV's (Mine included) that use two GC-2 6 volt batteries in series to make one big 12 volt battery.

I always buy 6 volt's in pairs. Same as the golf car user will but them in quads.

But nothing about the battery itself says you can't use just one
twodownzero
Explorer
May 14, 2019
mordecai81 wrote:
I have one USBattery 12v 155 a/hr battery. We mostly boondock, have 435 watts of roof solar, 120 watts of portable, no inverter, and use between 55 to 95 amps in a 24 hr period. I charge all day at least somewhat with the solar(dependent on shade and conditions) and supplement when necessary with generator and stand-alone 60 amp charger. I have never felt I needed more battery(s). If our routine didn't include daily charging we would have to rethink our bank, of course.

Even just a single pair of golf cart batteries would give you a nice boost in case you get a cloudy day. I'm running 4 of them, but I've found so far that they're overkill. On my last two trips, I've only used 80-100 ah per day (and I have 430 of capacity).
mordecai81
Explorer
May 14, 2019
I have one USBattery 12v 155 a/hr battery. We mostly boondock, have 435 watts of roof solar, 120 watts of portable, no inverter, and use between 55 to 95 amps in a 24 hr period. I charge all day at least somewhat with the solar(dependent on shade and conditions) and supplement when necessary with generator and stand-alone 60 amp charger. I have never felt I needed more battery(s). If our routine didn't include daily charging we would have to rethink our bank, of course.
twodownzero
Explorer
May 13, 2019
I could buy almost twice as many batteries at Sam's club than you're quoting here. The cost/ah is no comparison.
time2roll
Nomad
May 13, 2019
I understand lithium is also getting more popular in golf carts....
BFL13
Explorer II
May 13, 2019
CincyGus wrote:
I replaced the Interstate group 24 that came with my fall purchased camper with 2 new 12v Trojan 1275's that I got from the dealer that I bought my golf cart from. It used 4 (48v system) and I had him bring two additional new ones when he delivered the cart. I barely got them on the front of the trailers battery tray once they were in battery boxes but they did squeeze in after removing one of the tops extension that allowed the battery cables to be routed from the side.

Looking forward to seeing how long they will let me boondock without the genny recharging them this Summer and Fall. Not expecting miracles but their a nice battery.

Don't forget to follow these instructions (eg, 14.8v and sometimes 16.2v) or your batteries won't last. Hope you can get at them both with an hydrometer too, or else you won't be able to tell what is happening.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf

No idea what sort of recharger your golf car has for its Trojans, but your RV converter will be unsat--unable to meet the Trojan's charging spec vopltages.

I like this unit for that job, don't know of any others with the adjustable voltage. (don't forget to adjust the 14.8 up in the cold and down in hot temps--14.8 is for 77F.

https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/products/powermax-pm3-60lk-12-volts-60-amp-power-converter-battery-charger-w-led-light

The 60 amper there will run on a 2000w gen but the 75 amper will need more of a gen such as the Honda 2200 (if they have fixed those) the two T-1275s at 300AH can handle a 100 amp charger but that would need a 3000w gen to run it.
CincyGus
Explorer II
May 13, 2019
I replaced the Interstate group 24 that came with my fall purchased camper with 2 new 12v Trojan 1275's that I got from the dealer that I bought my golf cart from. It used 4 (48v system) and I had him bring two additional new ones when he delivered the cart. I barely got them on the front of the trailers battery tray once they were in battery boxes but they did squeeze in after removing one of the tops extension that allowed the battery cables to be routed from the side.

Looking forward to seeing how long they will let me boondock without the genny recharging them this Summer and Fall. Not expecting miracles but their a nice battery.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 13, 2019
You can use just one 12v but need two 6s. One T-1275 eg. Notice the size and weight in case that matters.