What kind of batteries do I need for 1987 Fleetwood Bounder?

[olywa1978]

Hello everyone, thanks for your tips so far in my previous questions. I am brand new to the RV world and really do appreciate the help. I'm finding that RV's are a lot different than standard vehicles in many ways.

I need help choosing what type of batteries are best for my brand new 1987 Fleetwood Bounder. It has one battery that starts it and two more batteries under that one, which power the chassis. The two chassis batteries are about done and won't hold a charge for long and I need to replace them, but I've learned that I have MANY options to choose from with batteries.

My plans for the RV might include occasional use in established campgrounds with power hook-ups, but mostly I will be living in it on my new undeveloped property with solar power. I'm not sure how reliable my solar system will be (I'm new at that as well), so I would like batteries that can supply sufficient power with no external power source at all in rugged conditions. I am down to $4,000 that I need to use for: solar system, RV batteries, backup generator and my hand-pump water well. I need to choose everything carefully and get the best value for each of these things if I am to afford it all. Once I get to my new land and set up, I plan to devote more time to generating more income.

So, I need RUGGED batteries that hold a sufficient amount of power and won't take too long to recharge, for as CHEAP as possible without skimping too much on quality. I was also planning on starting out with two batteries for my solar battery bank. Can I use two batteries for my RV chassis AND solar, or will I need to keep my RV and solar batteries completely separate? Thanks guys, this is a lot of stuff to figure out. I'm heading out in two weeks alone with my dogs and I just want to be as prepared and well-equipped as possible. This has always been a dream of mine and, without a woman and kids to hold me back I am going for it.

I do not mind maintaining batteries at all each month. I have been told that flooded cell batteries are most popular, readily available and cheaper for RV's and that 6-VOLT batteries are what would be most ideal for full-time use off the beaten path. So is that what I need? 6-VOLT, flooded cell batteries?

[azrving]

But remember, you can put in lots of batteries and thats good but you then have lots of batteries to charge. Everyone's use profile is different so more isn't always better because we have done it. When it comes to solar I understand that you need the solar matched to the battery to be able to drive it to the correct voltage. I have separated my batteries into 2 banks and charge one bank with my 55 amp house converter and the other bank with a Quick Charge 50 amp. With both those chargers starting up it draws 22 amps on my Honda eu3000si. I used a blue seas battery isolator switch to choose between bank one or bank two or off or both. I charge bank one from the house converter and ran the quick charger through another blue seas rotary selector switch so it can charge bank 2 or go over and finish up bank one because the house converter is slower. When the battery voltage rises and the amperage drops I can then run the generator on eco and get about 20 hours run time on 3.5 gallons of gas.

[J-Rooster]

I have the opposite battery set up then you I have 2 Coach batteries (run everything inside the coach that is battery operated) and 1 chassis battery that powers the engine. My 2 coach batteries are Interstate deep cycle and my chassis battery is a Interstate gel cell.

[Grandpere]

I currently use 2 12v batteries for the coach on my 87 Southwind. When money allows, I am going to take the mh to a welding shop and have them beef up the battery area and add a platform as big as possible so I can run 4 6v batteries, and if possible 6 6v batteries in a series/parallel setup. The only time we go to a campground is to fill the fresh water tank and to dump our black and grey water tanks. The rest of the time we are off the grid. I want to get a 4 panel solar system installed, but that is going to be sometime from now as money is in short supply at the moment--like that is anything new 🙂 I chose 2 group 27 12v batteries over 2 6v gold cart batteries just because it made me feel more secure, probably in reality there is not a difference; but if one goes dead I still have 1 full 12v battery to run the coach where as with 2 6v batteries if one goes bad, then you are stuck with 6v which will not run anything in the mh.

[azrving]

I think you could run 6 volt batteries from Sams club about $85.00 plus core charge. You will basically be fine if you start off with 2 6 volts and add as you learn what solar system etc you need. To charge the battery quickly I would not rely on the house converter. Get a real battery charger. Right now your house converter changes 120 volts ac to 12 volts dc to run things and it charges your battery. Converters are often not the best battery chargers, especially if you want it done quickly. Read up on proper charge voltage and equalization/sulfation. Your house batteries and solar batteries can be the same. The coach chassis battery will be just for starting the motor home.

Go to all led bulbs from ebay or amazon. Don't pay big money for them. Your house furnace will use the most battery power. Try to not invert as inverters use power in the conversion process. We could talk all day but there a very knowledgeable guys in here so read a lot. You could probably start off with a relatively small generator and a good charger. The solar gets into issues like stationary vs tilted vs manually aiming them at the sun. I'm learning more about that myself so I cant help much. What state are you in.

[olywa1978]

By the way, my vision is self-sustainment completely off-grid, in case that is a factor in choosing my batteries.