Why can't I get a TRUE Deep cycle battery anymore?

"I guess I don't have a specific number of AH. But I'd like to be able to go 4-5 nights parked without dropping down so far that the refer starts to reset. I believe it needs min 9.75vdc to run on LP for the control circuits"

This may be part of your problem along with are they being fully charged. It seems you could get more life than that. I run four gp 27 in a string for a 48 volt pontoon boat and they are 2008, 2009, 2012 2015. They are charged to 15.2 volts all the time. 6 or 7 months out of the year they just sit with a battery minder and a timer.

Does your solar controller have adjustable voltage? If you go to something like a Trojan they suggest 14.8 v daily charge.

pjw73nh wrote:
Most of our trips are 4-5 days of boondocking. The only thing that ever came close to lasting for us was my 2 GC2 setup. As I said it lasted 4-5 years and then we sold the trailer with them still performing pretty well.

If a pair of GC-2s worked well for you before why can't GC-2s still serve your needs well? :h If a pair won't fit on the trailer tongue as is, make 'em fit - geez, a pair of GC-2s aren't that big - same footprint as a pair of G24s, just a bit taller. Seems to me the answer is right in front of you - but hey, I'm not the "expert" some here are. :R

pjw73nh wrote:
BFL13. All of my camping is dry camping. No AC available. I guess I don't have a specific number of AH. But I'd like to be able to go 4-5 nights parked without dropping down so far that the refer starts to reset. I believe it needs min 9.75vdc to run on LP for the control circuits. I have a WFCO converter that I converted to a PD 4655 switching PS, a non-mounted, 100 watt, Renogy Mono-Crystalline solar that I relocate throughout the day to achieve best sun. No permanent generator. I do carry a Honda 3k on the trips where I expect to experience extreme temps for the few hours I need it, but I dislike carrying it and the fuel for it. All my lights have been converted to LED. I am very conservative in my use of the water pump. Hardly ever use the heater or hot water (DSI). The one luxury I indulge in is the Fantastic fan. I like to run it on 1 or 2 all day long. I do need to run a CPAP for 6-8 hours per night. Draws between 35 and 90 watts depending on the settings.

LWiddis, Thank you. I'll look into the Trojans, though I think they may still be a little more than I need. But I can be convinced.

Dessert Capt. Thanks. I've got a good B+ close by and I have a VERY good relationship with them (business). I am really fond of Interstates (I use them in my cars).

JPlante. Tnx for the reply. I like the idea of 2 GC2s but as I mentioned, I don't think I have the room on the trailer A frame to mount them. Too wide for two.

KTMRFS, Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't know your camping habits, but I wonder if perhaps you and I are very different. We NEVER camp where there is power. The only power we ever get is when leaving home fully charged, charging while driving (minimal), and solar. Occasionally we will stay with friends for a day and plug in. Most of our trips are 4-5 days of boondocking. The only thing that ever came close to lasting for us was my 2 GC2 setup. As I said it lasted 4-5 years and then we sold the trailer with them still performing pretty well. I have to think that if you're getting these extreme liftimes out of your batteries, you may be spending way more time (revolving your life around) battery maintenance. I don't know this, and I'm not judging. I do know that I will put a reasonable effort into maintaining my batteries, but I am not going to devote a major effort to it. I've been into RVs for 30 years, have a pretty good electro-mechanical knowledge of all RV systems and for the 8,10,12,15 years of life, with the deep discharges you are claiming, I have to say in all my RV time, I've never heard of such great results. I hope to learn your secrets. Thank you.

How about a single 12 volt deep cycle Duracell offering 228 amp hrs. 15" long by 7" wide for under $300
Batteries + scrubber battery
SLI12V215s
Or if you want cheaper SLI31mdc 105 amp hr $120

Desert Captain wrote:
All batteries have a planned obsolescence of 3 years. Anytime you get 3 years of reliable service from ANY battery, starting or deep cycle, you just got your monies worth, {this from a regional Trojan rep back when I sold batteries for a living}, any additional use is just gravy.

Will some batteries last longer? You betcha! It depends on how and where you use them not to mention how they are maintained. Are the people on this and other Forums who claim to have gotten 12+ years out of their batteries delusional.... You betcha!

Sure glad we have an "expert" here on the forums to confirm what I knew all along - I am close to being delusional. :W My Interstate G27 is now 10 yrs old and still going strong. :B Only 3 yrs? - hogwash. :R

BFL13. All of my camping is dry camping. No AC available. I guess I don't have a specific number of AH. But I'd like to be able to go 4-5 nights parked without dropping down so far that the refer starts to reset. I believe it needs min 9.75vdc to run on LP for the control circuits. I have a WFCO converter that I converted to a PD 4655 switching PS, a non-mounted, 100 watt, Renogy Mono-Crystalline solar that I relocate throughout the day to achieve best sun. No permanent generator. I do carry a Honda 3k on the trips where I expect to experience extreme temps for the few hours I need it, but I dislike carrying it and the fuel for it. All my lights have been converted to LED. I am very conservative in my use of the water pump. Hardly ever use the heater or hot water (DSI). The one luxury I indulge in is the Fantastic fan. I like to run it on 1 or 2 all day long. I do need to run a CPAP for 6-8 hours per night. Draws between 35 and 90 watts depending on the settings.

LWiddis, Thank you. I'll look into the Trojans, though I think they may still be a little more than I need. But I can be convinced.

Dessert Capt. Thanks. I've got a good B+ close by and I have a VERY good relationship with them (business). I am really fond of Interstates (I use them in my cars).

JPlante. Tnx for the reply. I like the idea of 2 GC2s but as I mentioned, I don't think I have the room on the trailer A frame to mount them. Too wide for two.

KTMRFS, Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't know your camping habits, but I wonder if perhaps you and I are very different. We NEVER camp where there is power. The only power we ever get is when leaving home fully charged, charging while driving (minimal), and solar. Occasionally we will stay with friends for a day and plug in. Most of our trips are 4-5 days of boondocking. The only thing that ever came close to lasting for us was my 2 GC2 setup. As I said it lasted 4-5 years and then we sold the trailer with them still performing pretty well. I have to think that if you're getting these extreme liftimes out of your batteries, you may be spending way more time (revolving your life around) battery maintenance. I don't know this, and I'm not judging. I do know that I will put a reasonable effort into maintaining my batteries, but I am not going to devote a major effort to it. I've been into RVs for 30 years, have a pretty good electro-mechanical knowledge of all RV systems and for the 8,10,12,15 years of life, with the deep discharges you are claiming, I have to say in all my RV time, I've never heard of such great results. I hope to learn your secrets. Thank you.

Anything good costs more money. GC2 is probably your best bet.
Some Sam's and Costco have these.

Lwiddis wrote:
Trojan T105s and T125s are not in the $250+ range.

T1275 are one of the best GC12 sized, 12V, deep cycle batteries you can get, but they are very close to $250.

OP - You just have to figure out how to mount 2 GC6 batteries.

Desert Captain wrote:
Not a problem.... A true deep cycle battery is readily available and in a Group 27 you should pay well under $150. The Big Box stores will probably not carry a true deep cycle 12 volt.

All batteries have a planned obsolescence of 3 years. Anytime you get 3 years of reliable service from ANY battery, starting or deep cycle, you just got your monies worth, {this from a regional Trojan rep back when I sold batteries for a living}, any additional use is just gravy.

Will some batteries last longer? You betcha! It depends on how and where you use them not to mention how they are maintained. Are the people on this and other Forums who claim to have gotten 12+ years out of their batteries delusional.... You betcha!

I got my Interstate Group 27's about a year ago, pure deep cycle, for $100 a piece at Batteries Plus. These replaced identical 4 year old interstates which still worked but were definitely getting tired.

If Batteries Plus has them so do a lot of other retailers. Try your local Interstate or Trojan dealers if there are no Batteries Plus outlets in your area.

:C

first, trojan makes deep cycle 12V batteries. not as many cycles as a GC but still deep discharge. like a good deep cycle, they don't have the low internal resistance of marine/starting batteries, but lower internal resistance than a GC. Still good for 100's of cycles to under 50 percent SOC.

as for the 3 year life, I call BS. my last 4 car batteries all lasted 10 years or more, two if them pushing 15 years.

My first set of GC batteries after 10 years and close to 400 discharges down to 25 percent SOC went to the in laws, and now after 14 years are near end of life.

my current set of 4 GC batteries are nearing 8 years old, and see around 50 or more discharges to 25 percent SOC every year, and another dozen or more to 50 percent or less.

and my experience isn't unique. Of the dozen or more folks we camp with regularly, the others have batteries lasting between 8 and 12 years. and this is with pretty regular camping during the year.

abuse them, well all bets are off. reasonable care, you can get long life.

They are available, depending on where you look. Mass market retailers (hellMart, auto parts chains etc) carry what they can move the quickest. They want to make their $5 or $10 from you and move on to the next. If you want true deep cycle look to speciality outlets. Batteries+ sells a line of scrubber batteries that are deep cycle with great recharge capabilities.

Interstate GC2s 225 ah six volts go for around $150. I have 4 in the Sahara with 200 watts of solar. I'm expecting these to last 7-10 years.