So I need new batt... 1,2 or 3?

[kamperdog]

So I checked on my rig today and the battery is kaput. Now I'm thinking if I should go dual or triple for the extended time since I want to start going more places whereally some of them only allow dry camping. Going with three would also allow me to add on the inverter setup later if I wanted. I see Walmart carries some RV/Marine batteries (intersate I believe) but I'm not sure of the quality. Obviously if I go with three or (even just two) I'm going to want to beef up the battery supports in the tongue since the stock ones are bleh. Maybe even a box with solar panels on top for charging.

Does anyone have any advice on this issue? I've seen some threads somewhere about the inverter issue but I know they aren't cheap. If anyone has ideas for a batt box or a link to a tutorial that would be appreciated.

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

Panels are lighter and last longer than batteries so I personally would rather make electricity than cart it around. Besides, batteries will last longer (for me at least) if I have a panel anyway since the solar controllers do a better job of maintaining the batteries than my converter.

If you ask my advice I would recommend a solar panel and one battery and add them as you need.

Of course if you decide you want to run an inverter then you will need more. I've never found a reason to run an inverter but I have a genny for AC, microwave or ceramic heater. I don't believe an inverter would really run any of these very well. For movies (to get the kids to settle down) I have a netbook computer.

So,
Why do you want an inverter? Do you have a generator? What electronics do you plan on running? How much juice are you expecting to use and how long do you want to stay out? All this is going to make a difference in what you need.

[sh410]

Steakman wrote:

2 Trojan T-105 Will give you at least 420 Amp Hours.

T105's are 6v and are wired in series. You add voltage but not amps. They will give you 210 AmpHours. Parallel add amps but not voltage.

[Ron3rd]

Steakman wrote:
FORGET About "RV-Marine Batteries". That term is the biggest bit of misleading BS I have ever heard. SCAM talk.

They are NOT in any way shape or form a Deep Cycle battery.

Best advice in thie thread is going with 2 6V and reading the Battery FAQ that another memeber put up.

2 Trojan T-105 Will give you at least 420 Amp Hours.

Plenty of power for pretty much any RV and if you add a 120 or larger solar set up..you really wont have to worry aobut losing power..depending up on load of course. Its what I have run for the past number of years although this year I added an 80 to my origianl 80 watt panel...now I find in bright Sun the solar charges at a higher amp rating than plugged into shore power.

Take your time before you buy..read the FAQ..worth it...at least I thought so 8 years ago when i saw it posted here.

rgdfs,

Stk

While I agree with this member that the RV/Marine battery is not a "true" deep cycle, they can be a good value IMO depending on your needs. They can often be found for 60-70 bucks and will last 5-6 years if properly maintained in most cases. They are the most common battery used on RVs today because of the the cost/benefit they offer. I've used them for over 10 years with good results. Of course, if you need to beef up your battery bank for huge amp hrs, there are better choices. The dual 6v option is a reasonably economical way to go but the downside is if one goes south, you're left with 6 volts. With any battery you choose, there is no substitute for proper maintenance and charging otherwise the life of any battery will be dramatically shortened.

[JiminDenver]

You need to consider how much room and how much tongue weight you will have when adding batteries.

I have had to come to terms with the fact I can fit one 12v on the tongue of our trailer. I keep seeing deals on 6 volts and multiple 12v jars and there is no where to put them without modification somehow. Luckily the Interstate grp 27 is going strong after four years and our solar keeps us going. We do keep a huge 8-D in the truck for use with the inverter, too bad there isn't room on the tongue for it.

[toedtoes]

I considered doing the 2-6 volt batteries, but decided that with my space constraints, I didn't really have room for 2 batteries at this point. So I got an AGM battery, Optima 8052-161 (blue top). At the same time, I changed out my engine battery to AGM, Optima 8025-160 (red top). I have been extremely happy with this setup. I can spend 4 days running the water pump, lights, mp3 player, and charging cell phone, laptop, etc. without concern. At the end of the 4 days, I still have a full charge on my house battery. I do use a battery puck light for my late night reading, but only because it's not as bright as the overhead light. I also do not have solar or a generator, so my battery is all I've got.

If at a later date I decide I need power longer, I will use 2 of the Optimas in parallel.

My decision was made in part by this link: http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

[opnspaces]

I went with the two 6-volts back in 2009 and they seem to still be going strong. I did have the same reservation about losing one battery. But in the end I figured that it was highly unlikely. I think that it's also important to realize that really the loss of one 6volt is most likely not the end of the world.

Really the worst case is that one of my weekend camping trips gets cut short. It's not like I'm running a life support machine out of my trailer or anything like that. :B

Okay there is another negative to running the dual 6 volts. As stated above they are a true deep cell battery so they have really thick lead plates in them. Those suckers are heavy and I pull them every time I store the trailer. So the downside is I feel like I'm going to throw out my back every time I lug them around. 😉

[Steakman]

FORGET About "RV-Marine Batteries". That term is the biggest bit of misleading BS I have ever heard. SCAM talk.

They are NOT in any way shape or form a Deep Cycle battery.

Best advice in thie thread is going with 2 6V and reading the Battery FAQ that another memeber put up.

2 Trojan T-105 Will give you at least 420 Amp Hours.

Plenty of power for pretty much any RV and if you add a 120 or larger solar set up..you really wont have to worry aobut losing power..depending up on load of course. Its what I have run for the past number of years although this year I added an 80 to my origianl 80 watt panel...now I find in bright Sun the solar charges at a higher amp rating than plugged into shore power.

Take your time before you buy..read the FAQ..worth it...at least I thought so 8 years ago when i saw it posted here.

rgdfs,

Stk

[smyke]

+1 on Energizer GC2s

Just used mine this last weekend (Friday to Monday) and without really consciously conserving I only used about 25% of juice.
Granted all my bulbs were converted to LED (another mod to consider) but the furnace ran for 2 out of 3 nights.
I am very happy with those batts.

[westend]

kamperdog wrote:
I see Sams' club has Energizer 6v golf cart batteries. Yay, nay? Any particular brand thats good or to stay away from?

I'm using them and their health seems good after a long winter. The other thing about 6V GC2 batteries is that they are forgiving. I see a lot of posts on here about 12V batteries only living a short time and I would bet that is because they are drawn down too far for a few times and the thin plates of the battery doesn't recover fully. 6v batteries are more forgiving should this happen.

[kamperdog]

I see Sams' club has Energizer 6v golf cart batteries. Yay, nay? Any particular brand thats good or to stay away from?

[pianotuna]

Hi kamperdog,

Yes a bolt can be used as a buss.

Cell failure is not a reason to avoid six volt jars.

If heavy inverter use (2000 watts and up) is planned on then twelve volt jars may have an "edge".

My favorite battery is two volts--but I can't afford the modifications that would be required.

Again what truly counts is total capacity. More is better.

Add some solar and you can have a mean lean boondocking machine.

kamperdog wrote:
Piano tuna... thanks for that link! Quite interesting! As far as the extra posts he is mentioning, is it simply a bolt that all the others a connected to or some special piece of equipment?

As fAR as the 6v setup, I'm not too keen on that for various reasons, the most obvious being if a batt goes bad in the middle of your trip well that puts a damper on things.

[Wardriver]

CManley wrote:

Just to get my dumb question of the day outta the way, the 6v will charge normally off the rv without any mods, etc correct?

Yes they do. You are connecting them in parallel which provides the 12v source. I typically get 4 to 5 years out of the Golf Cart Batteries.

Connect two 6v batteries in series, not parallel, for 12v.

[CManley]

Just to get my dumb question of the day outta the way, the 6v will charge normally off the rv without any mods, etc correct?

Yes they do. You are connecting them in parallel which provides the 12v source. I typically get 4 to 5 years out of the Golf Cart Batteries.

[Captain_Obvious]

I just got back from our first boondocking trip with a pair of Costco 6V's.
They worked great. Between the batteries and 160W of portable solar, I can probably go for weeks at a time. (in warm weather of course)

I considered 3 12v batteries, but couldn't justify the modifications on the tongue or the price of comparable batteries. It is easier to find a true 6v deep cycle than to find a true 12v deep cycle. Most of your 12v at big box stores are marine hybrids.

Pairs of 6V will charge just like 12V batteries. You may need to modify your battery cables depending on how long they are. I didn't have to modify mine. If you only have 1 battery currently, you will need an additional battery cable to link the 2 batteries.