Fifthwheel batteries

Searching_Ut wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
..... If you are an extended tripper quite happy to be dry camping for a few days with no notice maybe hours away from the nearest Costco & don't want the chore of watering batterys, then investing in a more exotic much longer lasting, much longer service life, zero maintenance battery like an AGM makes sense.

Actually, comparable size weight and quality wet cell batteries properly maintained give a longer service life, and cycle life than AGM batteries, and they tend to hold up to abuse better too. There are good reasons why an RV'er might find it easier to properly maintain AGM, such as there lower discharge rate that helps keep them from sulfating if left in a lower state of charge. The faster acceptance of charge is definitely a plus as well, as many RVers don't fully charged their batteries. Life Cycle however is a negative when compared with wet cells when both are properly maintained.

I have had experience with both types with a large case size. Used to use a 8D wet cell in a marine application. It did not have to do much more than start the rather large diesel. I'd get 4 years out of the wet cell.

I currently have a 4D AGM in my 5er. Installed spring of 2010. 6 seasons of use. Stored every winter November to April, disconnected & no trickle charge. 7 seasons & I expect to get a couple more out of it.

Next one will be an 8D AGM if I have room. Expensive? Yes, but the longevity, the no maintenance, the ability to take a deeper discharge without damage, the ability to take a faster charge rate, the no worries of leakage & the simple elimination of the post to post cables makes it worthwhile.

Veebyes wrote:
..... If you are an extended tripper quite happy to be dry camping for a few days with no notice maybe hours away from the nearest Costco & don't want the chore of watering batterys, then investing in a more exotic much longer lasting, much longer service life, zero maintenance battery like an AGM makes sense.

Actually, comparable size weight and quality wet cell batteries properly maintained give a longer service life, and cycle life than AGM batteries, and they tend to hold up to abuse better too. There are good reasons why an RV'er might find it easier to properly maintain AGM, such as there lower discharge rate that helps keep them from sulfating if left in a lower state of charge. The faster acceptance of charge is definitely a plus as well, as many RVers don't fully charged their batteries. Life Cycle however is a negative when compared with wet cells when both are properly maintained.

Yeah, I see what you meant. One less jumper. Oh well...

Yep, one less cable.

1 - Ground to 1st battery NEG
1 - 1st battery POS to 2nd battery NEG
1 - 2nd battery POS to trailer 12V

bpounds wrote:

shepstone wrote:
Yes on the 6 volts, I find them easier to wire up as well, 1 less cable.

Huh???

Unless I have been doing something wrong all these years, 2- 6 volts only need to be joined with one cable from pos to neg to make a 12v battery bank whereas 2- 12v need to be joined with 2 cables, pos to pos & neg to neg, to make a 12v battery bank.

shepstone wrote:
Yes on the 6 volts, I find them easier to wire up as well, 1 less cable.

Huh???

We Boondock almost all the time and have always used two 6 volts Trojan Batteries.

Best bang for the buck is a battery bank that best suits your RVing style. If you are a weekend warrior who always has hookups, you don't need any more than what most manufacturers provide. If you are the short tripper, occasionally overnighting in Walmart or odd dry camp night, a couple of GC 6Vs will do. If you are an extended tripper quite happy to be dry camping for a few days with no notice maybe hours away from the nearest Costco & don't want the chore of watering batterys, then investing in a more exotic much longer lasting, much longer service life, zero maintenance battery like an AGM makes sense.

Best bang for the buck is a pair of 6V golf cart batteries (GC2) from Costco.

Yes on the 6 volts, I find them easier to wire up as well, 1 less cable.