Marine/RV Battery

Esacnj wrote:
using in 5th wheel. originally had 2-12V interstate. one failed in 1 yr. 2nd been good for 4 yrs. usually always camp with hookups. only used for operating jacks/stabilizers. 2nd one now getting weak. should I go back to 2-12V ?

Then a starting battery will be fine. Starting batteries can provide quick surges of power (like a starter motor) at high amps, where an RV battery provides power a little slower (not that you would notice), but can be deeply depleted over and over without as much damage as you do depleting a starting battery (which will be damaged the 2nd or 3rd time you run it dead). Just operating jacks might not deplete a battery, so a cheaper starting battery should do the trick. I had a trailer with lifts, so I used the starting battery for this reason. It is application specific

dpgllg wrote:
I am curious as what makes two 6 volt golf cart batteries better than one 12 volt battery?

I may need to replace my 5th wheel 12 volt battery and want to know what the benefit is of the two 6 volt batteries?

Thanks!
Dave

Well first in the sizes we use in RV's it is hard to find 12 volt DEEP CYCLE..
A deep cycle battery can be run down to 50% before serious damage starts happening. but the more common MARINE/deep cycle should be kept 75% or 80% full and STARTING batteries 80-90 percent minimum charge.

GC-2 are DEEP CYCLE (6 volt)

Second. they are a very popular battery.. Sold by the pallet load to golf courses all over the USA.. So they are cheaper (Economy of scale) Making them the most "Bang" for your "Buck".

Put 2 of them in series and you basically have a 12 volt 4D (220 amp hours at 12 volts) but it is like 4 times easier to install cause each "Half" of the 12 volt battery weighs only half as much as the 4D.

dpgllg wrote:
I am curious as what makes two 6 volt golf cart batteries better than one 12 volt battery?

I may need to replace my 5th wheel 12 volt battery and want to know what the benefit is of the two 6 volt batteries?

Thanks!
Dave

The cells are thicker and can take more discharge cycles.

1 12 volt marine/RV deep cycle (deep cycle being mostly a marketing term in this case) will get you about 105 aH or power or a reserve capacity of 140 minutes. 2 6 volt true deep cycle batteries gets you 225 aH or power and about 220 minutes reserve capacity.

I am curious as what makes two 6 volt golf cart batteries better than one 12 volt battery?

I may need to replace my 5th wheel 12 volt battery and want to know what the benefit is of the two 6 volt batteries?

Thanks!
Dave

"MOST battery problems are NOT caused by the battery, but by the consumer that abuses the batteries." Doug. I learned this the hard way. When I first retired and bought the MH, I bought 2 Trojan 6v GC batteries for the house and a Trogan 12v Marine battery for the chassis thinking they were the best based on what I heard on this forum. They lasted 4 years, and people said that is normal because I dry camp 95% of the time. I replaced the house batteries with 2 6V Sams Club batteries and the chassis with a starting battery from Walmart. Spent 1/2 of what I would have paid for another set of Trojans. The starting battery lasted 9 years and the Sams Club batteries are still in use after 12 years. The difference was I learned how to maintain the batteries better using just a B&D 40 amp charger and just charged the starting battery at the same time I charged the house batteries. Maintenance is more important brand.

Esacnj wrote:
IS there any advantage to using 2-12V in lieu of 1-12V for this usage?

Nope. As evidenced by your last 4 years on 1 battery you only need one.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Mechanics always swear by Interstate batteries,

Yep. The interstate battery truck pulls up to their shop and replaces the missing battery in their inventory, collects for the battery and zooms off.

No telephone call
No waiting
No driving

As far as a shop is concerned, what's not to like?

They do more than that. They check the Inventory and if there are batteries that have been on the shelf too long, they replace them. I have delt with Interstate for over 30 years and I believe they are the best value for the price. They also have thousands of dealers and that makes warranty a lot easier if you are traveling. IF I was traveling in an RV, I would factor in the amount of warranty stations available IF I had a problem with my new batteries. ALL my vehicles have Interstates, and funny thing is, since I take care of the batteries, I have NEVER had a failure in 30 years. Just worn out after 7 or 8 years. MOST battery problems are NOT caused by the battery, but by the consumer that abuses the batteries. Doug

bikendan wrote:

steveh27 wrote:
I wish I had room for 2 6v gc's. My battery box is 15"x8.25"x9.5" high. I have an ac delco 29mf. May try this one:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/VMAX-XTR31-135-Golf-Cart-Battery-AGM-Group-31-Deep-Cycle-Battery-12V-135Ah/387091324

A 6v golf cart battery has the same footprint as a Group 24 12v battery. It's just a little taller.
That's why you can fit two of them on most trailer's A-frames.

But 1 let alone 2 will not fit in my battery box under the side entrance step to my Class B.

You only need the second 12v if they have power failures that last longer than your one 12v would. Otherwise you are mostly on the converter for 12v, and the one 12v is for the trailer breakaway requirement and for short duration power failures. (You can run the jacks etc setting up by leaving the 7-pin connected and engine on if a Ford)

IS there any advantage to using 2-12V in lieu of 1-12V for this usage?