Newbie to RV use

I think my two group 24 batteries have a charge capacity of about 80 amp-hours each. Costco, $80. There is a bit of a comparison here: http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvbatteries.php
Looks like you can get more capacity with a pair of 6 V batteries (note that energy capacity is actually in volt-amp-hours so multiply the amp hours by the voltage to compare them).

Like you, I find generators very noisy and smelly. Dear wife is afraid of CO. I got a bit of it as a little kid on a farm and another dose on a whale watching boat several years ago, and I get sick pretty quickly from exhaust smell. I can't use a generator so I've been just using engine charging and as little power as possible when boondocking. I have ordered a small 100 watt solar collector which I think will make a big difference for us. I think it will provide about 5 amps of battery charging, which is about what I get from the engine when driving only this will be right in the campsite, perfectly quiet, no smell and quite a few hours per day in the summer up here in the north.

I wouldn't be spending money on a rebuild for the old generator. I would put my money into solar or a new, quieter generator. The Honda seems to be the quietist but most expensive. Several others are pretty good on cost and noise.

just did a quick search for 55 ah batteries. came up with a bunch of AGM at very high prices. much higher than a standard DCycle battery.
bumpy

Here is my understanding of RV batteries.

Deep cycle batteries are more tolerant of deep discharge than other types of lead acid batteries. There is nothing magic about discharging to 50% or 6o%. The deeper you discharge it the sooner it will fail. 50% is usually quoted as a good compromise. Marine batteries are a compromise between deep cycle and starting batteries, not as tolerant of deep discharge but more capable of high current drain.

The 12 volt side of life is a good reference for learning more about the 12v system in RVs.

Most knowledgeable RVers on this forum who do much off grid camping prefer to have a battery bank of more than 200 ah, some much more. If you don't camp off the grid, any battery will do.

Re your genny, I would check the spark plug first, then see if you are getting a good spark.

I have just heard that you need to keep them from dropping below 60% to not ruin it. But I went ahead and got a new battery today that is 55 ah. I don't use much in the RV and plan not to dry camp too much. I have a new issue though with the generator. I have not used it in quite some time and am having trouble starting it. It turns just fine, but does not fully start. Oil levels are good, but just not fully kicking in.

gavinseabrook wrote:
I believe the ah on my current one is 30, but i hear a lot of bad things about high ah deep cycle batteries.

I didn't know they made batteries that weak. but what bad things have you heard about deep cycle batteries. they are what should be used in RV/golf cart/marine applications.
bumpy

Look at USA brand batteries, supposedly as good as Trojans, but much cheaper. I bought two 6-volt to replace two Trojan T-105's,seem good so far.

Your RV cannot run the roof air conditioner on RV battery power. The compressor runs on 120volt AC power from the RV camp power or your generator. All generators are relatively loud and may get you hollered at by nearby RV'ers if you run it at night to operate your roof AC. You might get some sleeping comfort running a 12 volt fan off your house battery but battery may be dead by morning.

If you must camp in summer heat, use an RV Park with adequate AC shore power. Buy a line voltage meter and plug it in to monitor camp or generator line voltage, if it goes into the red while running roof A/C, shut down AC to avoid damage to roof AC. When everybody is running roof AC units, line voltage can become too low to operate your roof A/C.

BTW, your generator takes a long run time to recharge your house batteries maybe all day. Recharging house battery via your converter/charger on shore power also takes a long time( maybe all day) Modern converter/chargers such as the Progressive Dynamics Model 9245 have quicker recharge modes and are easier on your house battery in trickle/maintenance mode. Removing old converter/charger and replacing with new 9245 is easy and may be worth doing if you will keep the rig for some time. I got a good price from a local RV parts place, no shipping charge.

Your engine's alternator will recharge your house battery in a few hours of driving.

Running your house battery way down is not good for it, will shorten it's life. Get to know the whole 12 volt DC house battery power system and how to maintain battery electrolyte levels and clean connections. You need a battery filler "turkey baster", distilled water, a cheap digital multi-meter for checking voltages/verifying that charging system is working properly, etc. Resting voltage for a fully charged house battery should be 12.6 volts or better, while charging, on shore or generator, voltage should be around 13.6 volts, with engine running, voltage should be around 14 volts.

Thanks for the answers so far. I can't wait to get a better RV as this one has seen better days, but it does serve it's purpose. As far as batteries (for electrical) what would you all recommend? My starter battery is fine, but i want something that can give power for longer than my current one. I believe the ah on my current one is 30, but i hear a lot of bad things about high ah deep cycle batteries.

If interested in getting a specific RV get on their forums. Reading is good. I learn a lot by other peoples mistakes or problems. Things I never thought about before.There are several rv forums. I never carried a shovel in my RV until I got stuck 50 miles from town before cell phones is one example.

1. A tune-up might help but the engine is 25 years old. They probably didn't have all the clean air stuff then.

2. You could try a Genturi, Google it. It carries the exhaust above the RV. Easy to make one and costs much less.

3. A 12v deep cycle. Trojan makes one, can't remember the part # (1275???). Expensive and heavy.

4. Use the genny, otherwise you can't.

5. Enjoy your new to you RV.