Can anyone explain in plain easy to understand language what practical benefits you derive from replacing 12v coach batteries to 6v golf cart batteries? I currently have 2 group 24 (95AH) batteries in my Class C and other RV owners have extolled the virtues of 6v batteries but no one has explained why I should consider replacing the 12v. I would especially like input from those that have made the switch and from those that have considered such a switch but decided not to. Thanks.

Depends. Do you dry camp a lot? If not stick with the cheaper 12 volt combination battery you have. And quit listening to others.

The # 1 First and foremost question. All others start at place 10 for importance.Are you and have you been satisfied with the lifespan of your current type of battery?

Good question about dry camping. I usually dry camp 2 to 3 days but have stretched it to 4 and 5 days at times. I have never dry camped longer than 7 days in 10 years of RVing. I try to conserve both water and power during that time.

Best to wait until the pair of 24s are not working for you.Truth is you might do fine with a single 24.People that switch are having issues.

12v or 6 Dec 20132- 12v or 6v June 201312v vs 6v batteries 201312v vs 6v batteries 2006More 12v vs 6 200612v vs 6v 2010Why 2 6? 2006 Anybody had one 6v fail?2010 maybe 12v is better 201012v vs 6v Feb 2010

Why should I switch to golf cart 6v batteries | Good Sam Community

110 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014
Ina freakin' nutshell...

Golf car batteries ARE MORE DURABLE than regular RV batteries

THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FORGIVING OF ABUSE

THEY CONTAIN MORE LIQUID less likely to drop level and expose plates

And finally,

AT VERY LIGHT LOADS, AMPERE HOUR RATING versus AMPERE HOUR RATING. they will have more capacity then standard RV batteries.

Hope this is plain enough...
mena661
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
(Voice Of Slim Pickens)

"Someone's gotta ride back to the ranch and get a whole ----load of capacitors"

LOL!
RJsfishin
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014
OP
Why should I switch to golf cart 6v batteries
-----------------------------------------------
Who ever said you should ?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014
(Voice Of Slim Pickens)

"Someone's gotta ride back to the ranch and get a whole ----load of capacitors"
Gjac
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2014
pnichols wrote:
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Vacuum panel insulation means a 5K A/C can refrigerate the whole rig.

.... and if they could then electrically isolate the RV's inner wall panel material from the RV's outer wall panel material and also make the panels electrically conductive, I wonder - in addition to lightening strike protection - what size capacitor that would make for energy storage on, say, a 45 foot Class A? :h

(On second thought, I think I'll stick with my upcoming Ruthenium batteries.)
Actually this is easy to accomplish by adding 3 mils of Al screen to the outer layer of FG on the outer skin. This is used for not only lightning protection but EMI shielding for composite airframe structures.
reed_cundiff
Explorer
Sep 06, 2014
Had to google ruthenium batteries. Apparently an advanced take on lithium technology ("Ruthenium nanocrystals as cathode catalysts for lithium-oxygen batteries with a superior performance"). Lithium Iron Phosphate charge great for dry camping. We have 14 months success with them (9.5 kW-hr or so). Solar charges linearly (after inefficiencies through controller etc). We are at absorb (57.6 V charging rate) in several hours (unless we run fridge 24 hours straight on AC and we are at -3500 W-hr or so deficit in morning) and are then done to float (54.4V) by noon.
Reed and Elaine
pnichols
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Vacuum panel insulation means a 5K A/C can refrigerate the whole rig.

.... and if they could then electrically isolate the RV's inner wall panel material from the RV's outer wall panel material and also make the panels electrically conductive, I wonder - in addition to lightening strike protection - what size capacitor that would make for energy storage on, say, a 45 foot Class A? :h

(On second thought, I think I'll stick with my upcoming Ruthenium batteries.)
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
Whaaachoomean?

Shoot! They are going to beam microwave power directly to the...

"Help my microwave collector won't raise!"

And there will be no batteries. Vacuum panel insulation means a 5K A/C can refrigerate the whole rig.

I am ending at the stage where Buck Rogers technology is beginning.
pnichols
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
BTW, don't get too hung up too long on lithium batteries for an RV.

By the time we figure out how to charge lithiums for drycamping, Ruthenium batteries may be about ready for prime RV time ... so we can start all over again. :C
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
pnichols wrote:
olygene wrote:
Can anyone explain in plain easy to understand language what practical benefits you derive from replacing 12v coach batteries to 6v golf cart batteries? I currently have 2 group 24 (95AH) batteries in my Class C and other RV owners have extolled the virtues of 6v batteries but no one has explained why I should consider replacing the 12v. I would especially like input from those that have made the switch and from those that have considered such a switch but decided not to. Thanks.

Near the end of this long discussion here's my take at trying to make a long story short -

RV 12 volt electrical systems function best when centered around deep cycle type batteries. Deep cycle batteries are difficult and/or expensive to find and/or buy in 12 volt versions, so usually deep cycle 12 volt batteries ARE NOT the 12 volt battery versions delivered in many RVs when new.

However, there is a very easy and/or inexpensive way to buy a 6 volt deep cycle battery for an RV because that's what a lot of golf carts and other common equipment use. So .... many RV owners just switch to these commonly available 6V deep cycle batteries in order to improve the performance of their RV's 12 volt electrical systems through use of deep cycle batteries.
Best post of the thread.