2 6-volt or 2 12-volt batteries

[rbp111]

Granted, 2 6-volt golf cart batteries last longer than 2 12-volt batteries. But what if one of the 6-volt dies, are you with out all power until a new 6-volt battery is purchased?

Two neighbors of mine both are looking to purchase new batteries and the discussion came up about 6-volt versus 12-volt batteries with a third neighbor. All of us are true campers, going out into the USFS for example, where what you have with you is everything, as their is no power, water or sewer.

What do you think? Get 2 6-volt golf cart batteries or 2 12-volt batteries?

[dave17352]

My next two batteries will be 2 12 volt agm's. But lots of people love their 6 volt batteries. To each there own. I can see some logic to the idea if one battery dies you would still have a second twelve volt battery to use as long as you have a charging source. But that would be highly unlikely.

[sclark]

Go with whatever offers the greatest number of amp hours. In our case it was 6 Volt Trojan batteries. Good luck.

[Eurocamper]

I went with two 6 volt for the slightly larger capacity and the reported longer lifespan. They are going still strong almost seven years later - longer than I ever got out of a 12 volt - so I'm happy with my choice.

[I_am_still_wayn]

When using two 6 volt batteries wired in series, you double the volts but the amp hours remain the same.

When using two 12 volts wired in parallel, you double the amp hours but the volts remain the same.

Therefore, using two 12 volt batteries you will have greater capacity for the size of the battery bank than using two 6 volt batteries.

[2oldman]

bldrbuck wrote:
It really does'nt make much difference which you buy.

x2

rbp111 wrote:
But what if one of the 6-volt dies, are you with out all power until a new 6-volt battery is purchased?

Assuming you're not talking about death from abuse or old age, it's specious reasoning.

The same argument could be applied to any 12v battery. What if someone dry camps with one 12v battery? Do we advise him/her to carry a spare? 2-6v batteries in series are nothing more than a 12v battery in two pieces, and it's no more likely to catastrophically fail than a 12v battery.

Having one battery fail is possible, yes, but probable? Hardly.

12v vs 6v batteries 2013
12v vs 6v batteries 2006
More 12v vs 6 2006
12v vs 6v 2010
Why 2 6? 2006

Anybody had one 6v fail?2010

maybe 12v is better 2010

[bldrbuck]

It really does'nt make much difference which you buy. The life will be the same either way. I go with two six volts just because the plates are heaver in them..

[darealmccoy]

If one of two 6 volt batteries dies, you'll have 6 volts.

Go with two 12 volt.

Dave