Why should I switch to golf cart 6v batteries

When I compare two GP24 85AH Standard Issue 12VDC battery in parallel with the Trojan T105 6VDC batteries in series to produce 12VDC the results stand out which will perform longer camping off the power grid.

This is a T105 Spec sheet similar to the GOLF CART GC2 6VDC Batteries from COSTCO.

Connected in series will look like this

The big thing that stands out for me is these two T105 6VDC 225AH Batteries in series will produce 12VDC for 447 minutes (7.45 hours) before going to 0% Charge State. These two 6VDC GOLF CART batteries will cost around $90 each from COSTCO.


This is similar 24TMX 85AH 12VDC Battery spec sheet similar to the 12VDC 85AH Interstate Batteries

Connected in parallel will look like this


These two 12VDC 85AH Batteries in Parallel will only produce 12VDC for 280 minutes (4.6HOURS) before going to 0% Charge State. The cost of each battery is about the same as the GC2 batteries from COSTCO ($90 each).

This alone says the two GC2 type golf battery will provide around 50% more capacity than the two GP24 85AH batteries you have for the same price.

The trouble I would have with just two 6VDC batteries in series is if one goes bad you will only have 6VDC of usable DC voltage that will not be any good use for you with the trailer 12VDC system.

You kinda have to think about the two 6VDC golf cart batteries as one very large 12VDC batteries. Now having two groups of two 6VDC batteries connected in series is a very less expensive way to get some real 12VDC Capacity for camping off the power grid. This setup would provide 25AMPS DC current for around 14 hours of run time before totally discharging the batteries.

Of course you NEVER EVER ever want to discharge your batteries lower than 50% charge state as this may do damage to your batteries performance...

Just my thoughts here...

Roy Ken

I bought my 2 no-name 6V GC's in 2007, they are still going strong today.

We try to be on the road 3 to 4 months a year, probably do half dry camping. Until a couple of years ago it was just recharge by gen, or going to a site with electric. Since then, I've added enough solar to keep us going essentially forever.

GC batteries are designed for abuse (think where they are used). I've gotten a lot of use from 2 $80 batteries.

Doug

How many days a year do you camp? Or probably more succinctly, how many times a year are those batteries cycled? Discharges, then recharges? Do you have an amp hour meter?

What and how to you maintenance charge those batteries in the "Off Season"?

The above are crucial questions...

We prefer to dry camp and our 2 - 6volt Trojan T105 batteries have been ideal. Bought them in the summer of 2008 and I do my best to not let them drop to less than 50% charge. No signs yet of any decline in performance. When we conserve we use about 18AH per day and can dry camp for about 6 days.

Used a single 12v deep cycle before 2008 and never have been able to keep it in good shape for this long.

Hola Mexicowanderer: This is the 3rd set of coach batteries on this 2005 Class C. I guess that works out to be 3 years of life per set. I don't know if that is good or bad. Will 6v lifespan last appreciably longer than 3 years? Do they provide longer use between charge? If so, how much? Thanks.

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.

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.

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?

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