new batteries

Hi jlscjs,

The "best" battery for you is dependent on your camping style.

The nee plus utra is 6 two volt cells in series. They are also the cheapest, as with reasonable care they can last 20 years. However, most folks would not keep an RV that long--and it would cost a bit to modify the dinky battery box to accept them. You will have sticker shock at the initial price.

If a heavy duty inverter (1500 watts and up) is going to be used for more than 4 or 5 minutes, then 3 group 31 12 volt jars may offer the best service. The batteries do need to be wired in a balanced manner.

If you never boondock, any 12 volt trolling battery will fill the bill.

If you boondock lots, then maximize the number of amp-hours of storage and use what ever voltage allows that to happen given the physical space and weight capacity of the battery compartment.

jlscjs wrote:
In a nut shell who has the best rv battery on the market? I need to replace mine but not wanting to spend a fortune on gel batteries.

Well, MEX is correct, but since you clearly stated you didn't want to spend a fortune, that makes those out too.

SMK is also correct. Best value is a pair of Costco/Sam's GC2s.

If you never boondock, then one 27 is enough and a guy just got a steal on Costco Group 27 12 volters.

AGMs are up there too and not necessary.

Best what? Price, capacity, life span, ease of maintenance, availability?
You don't want gell.
I have installed hundreds of deep cycle batteries over the years in off grid and back-up power applications. The vast majority are Deka. They have given me great service. There are just a few actual battery manufacturers. Everyone else just relabels batteries from these few companies.
Deka, Trojan, and Lifeline would be my top choices.

Costco / Sam's club for best value.

Or what "best" is important?

I agree with Tuna. GEL is the WORST choice

That leave

AGM
Maintenance Free
Flooded wet cell

Flooded wet cell is lowest in cost but highest in labor, you have to water them, clean them and otherwise maintain them fairly often. That said the most common Flooded wet cell RV battery is the very popular GC-2 Golf car battery. The GC-2 is used in Golf Cars (GC) all over the place, Golf courses buy 'em in bulk and thus they are less expensive (per unit) to make.. They are also DEEP CYCLE batteries. True deep cycle.

Maintenance free, is a wet cell as well so must be mounted "THIS SIDE UP" as it were. (Caps on top) however though it is becomming easier to find 12 volt DEEP CYCLE both in Flooded and maintenance free.. most of the Maintenance free sold for RV use are Marine/deep cycle, this is not a deep cycle battery by any stretch of the imagination. They are a bit more expensive.

AGM: Are the most expensive, the only real advantage over Maintenance Free. is the lack of a "This side up" AGM are a bit more rugged, and LIFELINE claims a faster bulk charge than any other battery maker.. But in truth, the faster BULK won't save you much charging time.

In my expierence (MK/Deka) They do not last as long as Flooded.

gel batteries would be my last choice.

I'm not wanting to have to check water levels on my batteries all the time, so I go with AGM.

Costco has reasonably priced AGM's

WoodGlue

Standard flooded lead acid?

Rolls & Surrette

Crown

They have no peers

Standard flooded lead acid?

Rolls & Surrette

Crown

They have no peers

Any AGM is fine.