Looking for some help deciding on which batteries.....

Boon Docker wrote:

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If you are not running an amperage hog inverter (2000 watt) then a couple 6v deep cycle should work for you just fine.
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Agree, this seems to be the kernel of it.

True Deep Cycles, like 6v golf carts, will handle many more deep discharge cycles than the type 12V "Marine/RV" batteries. But these "Marine/RV" batteries can handle short term higher loads with less voltage drop (per weight of lead); like what happens when you run a big inverter to power the microwave.

So if you're not having voltage drop issues with the 6Vs (no or only small inverter?), I would stick with them or similar true deep cycles, for their longevity.

Of course, if you're a really serious full-time boondocker, with cash to burn, lots of room and no weight restrictions, you can have the best of both worlds by just adding a whole bunch of true deep cycle batteries in parallel. Or switch to LiFePO4 if $$$ are no object. :)

I see no issue on a new thread where you have researched and have listed three options.
Price was the only caveat that I saw presented. (AGM was a bit much)

No need to debate a hundred options that do not exist for the OP.

Hey, I dont want to ruffle any feathers so I'll move on and do some research. :(

And Sam Spade, I didnt feel I was being snarky but rather responding to someone else telling me to use the search function first. Really, if I have to choose between forum friends and getting information, I pick getting information.

Truth be known is I've been a forum member on many other forums for over 14 years. Therefore given my veteran membership time spent over those years I too have seen the same questions asked so many times over its crazy. Especially in respect to weather as questions are cyclical to what people experience over the year.

But all that said, I NEVER tell a fellow member to use the search function as thats just terribly rude! Rather I ALWAYS answer someones questions as best I can since thats why I'm there. And if there's other threads which I think offers more advice than I can give then I will include those links for reference. Its just being nice and what a forum is all about..... :)

Might me a real good idea to first let us know what you CURRENTLY have for a battery bank. Solar setup, Inverter/charger setup. Too bad you don't have the space for 4 6 volts. Be nice to cut the recharging in half!
I found the exact same Trojans you quoted for $130.00 new. As stated above, check out the golf cart shops.

What I'm replacing are two older group 27 Kirkland batteries. The only info they have, besides cranking amps, is 115 min reserve. Nothing pertaining to amps hr.

They've "worked" only in the sense that we can get by with them for a couple days but it would be nice to have some additional capacity and/or something which will hold a charge longer per the draw because we live very conservatively assuring we dont run out of battery in those couple days.

Solar in the future is possible but I cant say for sure.

As I mentioned before, I thought two 6 volts offered that advantage over two 12 volts. But if not then I've learned something valuable.

KATOOM wrote:
What I'm replacing are two older group 27 Kirkland batteries. The only info they have, besides cranking amps, is 115 min reserve. Nothing pertaining to amps hr.

They've "worked" only in the sense that we can get by with them for a couple days but it would be nice to have some additional capacity and/or something which will hold a charge longer per the draw because we live very conservatively assuring we dont run out of battery in those couple days.

Solar in the future is possible but I cant say for sure.

As I mentioned before, I thought two 6 volts offered that advantage over two 12 volts. But if not then I've learned something valuable.

For an example, a 6v offers 220 amp hours, but you need two of the batteries. A 12v in the same price range, offers 105 amp hrs. Get two and you have 210 amp hours compared with 220 from the 6v. Both systems with the same price. That's pretty much a wash in my mind. The tradeoff being that the 12v's are useable if separated. Course you also have to keep in mind that you should only use 50% of the battery's reserve. So you're looking at 110AH's vs 105AH's Supposedly you will get more cycles from the 6v's before replacement but I'm not sure that is a significant #.

KATOOM wrote:

Solar in the future is possible but I cant say for sure.

As I mentioned before, I thought two 6 volts offered that advantage over two 12 volts.

That's true but only in generalities. One could create a parallel 12 V bank that might perform good but it is easier to do two 6's in series that do a good job......and most times cheaper and more reliable. When you get right down to it, a 12 V battery really is two 6 volters in series in the same case.

In addition to your possible solar panel, have you considered reducing your consumption farther by installing things like LED lighting ??

P.S. I think it is more rude to NOT search than it is to suggest a search after posting a repeated question. Opinions vary but if EVERYONE followed your logic things would get out of hand rather quickly.

Oh Boy! RVers favourite topic. Batterys.

Without even going through the whole thread & know the concensus is 6V wet cells. They are cheap & they are readily available.

I am in the minority owning a AGM. It comes from my boating past where you don't want wet cells, with their venting flammable gas, in the bilge of your boat.

I took my 5er a step further & set it up like a boat, trashing the cheap & nasty converter/charger & installing a pure sine wave inverter/charger which has progamable multi stage charging, along with a single 4D Lifeline AGM. That was in 2011.

The AGM is still going strong. It sits November to April unconnected & untouched. No trickle charger. No mid winter top up charge. 5 seasons past & I expect at least another 3 more before replacement will be due.

Yes, an AGM is not cheap but the performance is far superior than 100 plus year old wet cell technology.

Solar in the future?

I have never seen PV panels as low as they are today! I picked up 4 255w high voltage panels for about .89/watt. Higher voltage = smaller PV wire to the controller.
With 4 of the above panels, charge controller with 4 6v golf cart batteries and you would be on cloud nine! lol

Again you all make great points..... Thats why I'm here.
I guess I have some thinking to do and see whats available.....within reason. I could see where this could get out of hand building a very high dollar setup too which may or may not be worth the effort. :h Maybe I need to check on more pricing.

And yes, solar is getting much cheaper. I may have to start exploring that scenario again as well.

And Sam, I totally agree with you in that yes, threads can certainly get out of hand based on various member inputs and their repetition. But to assume I have done no research before I created this thread isn't giving me much credit. ;)