How to choose an rv battery?

[RoyF]

I have always just gone to my dealer, and they always install a pair of Interstate batteries. I have a four-year-old pair of group 27 Interstates that are down to 50% charge, so it's time to replace them. There is a wide range of prices, so I am confused about what to do.

I see a group 27 rv-marine at Walmart for $82. How long is it likely to last?

Sears has a group 27 marine for $125. Camping World has a group 27 marine for $229.

Is this a matter of getting what you pay for? What to do??

[Retired_JSO]

The majority of all automotive batteries are made by just 2 companies, Johnson Controls and Exide to the brand's specs. Kind of like buying a brand X &Y travel trailer having a Lippert frame and components.

[allen8106]

I just bought two Crown 6 volt batteries to replace a bad 12 volt duel purpose marine/staring battery. Paid $135 each for them. I've read a lot o good things about crown. U.S. made.

[RAS43]

I have 2 Walmart 12 volt batteries in my 5th wheel. They are beginning their 5th year of service. We usually have electric hookups but do dry camp on one trip in June for 12 days. I recharge once or twice with a generator but the batteries do fine.
The OP hasn't said whether they dry camp or not. if not, then I believe that 1 or 2 12 volt batteries are fine as these batteries are easy to find anywhere.

[Rambino]

We have two 6v Golf Cart Batteries from Costco for house power plus a 12volt battery used to start the generator(This was the battery that the dealer provided). The 12 volt is also a backup in the rare case one of the 6v batts fails. RVs don't work too well on 6 volts.

[IdaD]

N-Trouble wrote:
Go to Costco and pickup two 6V golf cart batteries. Then go to local auto part store and pickup a cable to connect them in series. Sit back and enjoy. Oh and keep an eye on water levels and fill with distilled water when needed.

This. I paid about $85/ea for my Interstates. Then pick up a funnel and a bottle of distilled water and keep an eye on the level.

[johndeerefarmer]

Read the specs on the Walmart battery before buying it. Just because it's type 27 doesn't mean that it has the same specs as Interstate or Exide. I have a ham radio repeater system that uses a battery for backup when commercial power is down. I originally had an Exide type 27 from Tractor Supply. The dumb charger dried all of the water out of the battery so I replaced it with a Walmart type 27. The battery was cheaper and lighter (less lead) and doesn't last as long as the Exide. When this one fails I will go back to Exide or Interstate.

[majorgator]

laknox wrote:
"Marine" batteries are starting batteries meant to deliver a burst of power when starting an engine, not a lesser amount over a longer period.

Actually, "marine" batteries refer to a class of battery that defines the design, construction and intended use of said battery. There are 3 primary types of "marine" batteries available: starting, deep-cycle, and dual purpose (for a combination of starting and deep cycle properties)

From an RV perspective, you would want a deep-cycle battery.

[N-Trouble]

Go to Costco and pickup two 6V golf cart batteries. Then go to local auto part store and pickup a cable to connect them in series. Sit back and enjoy. Oh and keep an eye on water levels and fill with distilled water when needed.

[laknox]

RoyF wrote:
I have always just gone to my dealer, and they always install a pair of Interstate batteries. I have a four-year-old pair of group 27 Interstates that are down to 50% charge, so it's time to replace them. There is a wide range of prices, so I am confused about what to do.

I see a group 27 rv-marine at Walmart for $82. How long is it likely to last?

Sears has a group 27 marine for $125. Camping World has a group 27 marine for $229.

Is this a matter of getting what you pay for? What to do??

If you do a lot of boondocking, or camping where there's no power, then consider 2 6v golf cart batteries. Will last much longer because they're designed to be deeply discharged and fully recover when recharged. "Marine" batteries are starting batteries meant to deliver a burst of power when starting an engine, not a lesser amount over a longer period. I got mine at Sam's for about $80 each, plus about $12 for a cross-over cable that's needed to connect them in series to make 12v.

This being said, if you only camp at campgrounds with hookups, then any good 12v battery(ies) will do.

Lyle

[majorgator]

Sandia Man wrote:
If you don't do a lot of camping without hookups...

I think this is where the OP needs to start. Do you primarily camp with or without electric hookup. We have a single group 24 battery in our 5er, and that is fine because we always camp where there's electric hookups.

Some may scoff at this, but we've had good success with WalMart batteries. Our previous TT had them, and I'm currently running 4 Marine batteries that are 4 and 5 years old. Maintenance is always the key.

[gbopp]

corvettekent wrote:
My 6 volt Interstate batteries are 6 years old and still working like they should.
Do you check the electrolyte level of your batteries? Clean the tops and the connections? I think it is more of how you maintain them than it is what brand you have.

x2. My Interstate 6 volts are eight years old. They still work but, I'll be replacing them this year. And, they froze one time and bounced back.
Yours should last longer than 4 years.

The 12 Volt Side of Life may help you understand batteries.

[Sandia_Man]

If you don't do a lot of camping without hookups than most any pair of batteries would work. For camping without shorepower a pair of true 6 volt deep-cycle batteries is a good way to go as they can handle the deep draw down and recharge process better than starting or marine/rv hybrid batteries.

We usually purchase all of our vehicle batteries from Sams or Costco including our current set of 6 volt GC2 batteries. We primarily camp off the grid and realize that it's how a battery is maintained, and more importantly how it is recharged, than the brand label affixed on the side. Our Interstate batteries lasted 8 years.

[Coach-man]

RV/ Marine batteries are made to discharge their current down to 50% over a long period, then be recharged! The constant charge/discharge is what will do them in! A start battery is designed to flow a lot of currant in a short period, (I.e. Starting the engine), then next to nothing and after replacing the start current little or no charging ! Under the right conditions they can last a long time, but if you completely discharge them more than a couple of times they will die! Never ever buy a battery for your house battery if it has a "CCA" rating, (Cold Cranking Amps). That is not a deep cycle battery.
Also, if you have two batteries, always replace both, and try and buy the replacements as close as you can to their manufacture date, (do not buy one made last month and the second made 6 months ago). The weak one will ALWAYS draw down the good one, never the other way around!

Maintenance as mentioned is a big deal with keeping a battery! Also, again as mentioned a multi stage charger will keep from over charging you battery. Interstates are pretty good batteries, so if you are looking to replace yours, check around, Cosco, Sears, etc. to get the best price, they should all be comparable. Do the required maintenance, inspect the batteries, clean any build up, clean the terminals, keep fluid levels always within range, (use only distilled water), check your charger to ensure it is not over charging) and you should have batteries to last 5 - 7 years. Good luck.

[corvettekent]

My 6 volt Interstate batteries are 6 years old and still working like they should.
Do you check the electrolyte level of your batteries? Clean the tops and the connections? I think it is more of how you maintain them than it is what brand you have.