Forum Discussion

swimmer_spe's avatar
swimmer_spe
Explorer
Mar 22, 2023

How long should a battery last?

Typical code 24 battery, how long should it last with lights and electric RV fridge? I am only getting about 24 hours before it gets under 11.5V. Also, would a battery shop have a way to properly test the battery to see if it is actually any good? Would an RV shop be able to properly test it?

78 Replies

  • swimmer_spe wrote:
    MNtundraRet wrote:
    That's about right. You should not be running an electric fridge on that battery. The battery will be shot before the end of the year.


    We have no choice as it is a 12v/120v fridge. I typically do not use it on 12v except for while driving.


    If boondocking you'll have to run it on 12V, right? Is that how you're testing it during your 24hr test?
    With a propane absorption fridge, a single group 24 would probably be be pretty low after a weekend of fridge and lights (also water pump and maybe fans). A 12V electric fridge would be a much larger load on the battery.
  • wa8yxm wrote:
    swimmer_spe wrote:
    Typical code 24 battery, how long should it last with lights and electric RV fridge? I am only getting about 24 hours before it gets under 11.5V. Also, would a battery shop have a way to properly test the battery to see if it is actually any good? Would an RV shop be able to properly test it?


    A group 24 is around 70-75 amp hours and you can only use about `15 of them before it is run down. So not long

    A pair of GC-2 (6 volt golf car in series) are 220 give or take a bit amp hours and you can use half. that's a lot more than one G-24


    Brand new trailer with a new battery. I'd rather not need to change the battery out for a weekend of boondocking for a weekend every now and then. If I were doing it once a month or more, then, I would see the need.
  • MNtundraRet wrote:
    You should use an electric site when camping. If you keep running the battery down you will have nothing working in your trailer.


    That is my goal, an electric site. However, it would be nice to boon dock for a weekend without another battery or generator, or wall of solar panels.
  • You should use an electric site when camping. If you keep running the battery down you will have nothing working in your trailer.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    swimmer_spe wrote:
    Typical code 24 battery, how long should it last with lights and electric RV fridge? I am only getting about 24 hours before it gets under 11.5V. Also, would a battery shop have a way to properly test the battery to see if it is actually any good? Would an RV shop be able to properly test it?


    A group 24 is around 70-75 amp hours and you can only use about `15 of them before it is run down. So not long

    A pair of GC-2 (6 volt golf car in series) are 220 give or take a bit amp hours and you can use half. that's a lot more than one G-24
  • MNtundraRet wrote:
    That's about right. You should not be running an electric fridge on that battery. The battery will be shot before the end of the year.


    We have no choice as it is a 12v/120v fridge. I typically do not use it on 12v except for while driving.
  • That's about right. You should not be running an electric fridge on that battery. The battery will be shot before the end of the year.

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