โApr-10-2021 04:42 AM
โMay-08-2021 09:09 AM
โMay-05-2021 12:56 PM
Gdetrailer wrote:
...
The big downside to parallel operation is not "everything" is "shared", due to manufacturing and material tolerances the batteries will never "share" the current load 100% equally, resulting in one battery discharging or recharging at a different rate. You can get them close but in the end one battery will be slightly weaker and that weaker one will ultimately kill the other battery by over discharging and undercharging.
The 12V batteries due to thinner and lighter plates are also NOT designed for very deep draw downs, typically rated at only 50% DOD but for max LIFE only 20% of their capacity should be used..
!
โApr-17-2021 05:03 AM
โApr-13-2021 01:55 AM
kfp673 wrote:
Thanks again all. This is great info so I appreciate the conversation!
I am pretty sold on 6V at this point as we do plan to boondocks more this spring / summer /fall than we ever have. I did more on-line digging and found the Sams club Duracell's at $89. Of course the nearest Sam's club is an hour away. Costco is our regular bulk warehouse at 10 min away and as stated mine has stopped stocking the Interstate. My in-laws have a Sams near them and a membership (again an hour from our house) so we will give it a shot next time we are down that way. Next challenge will be to find battery boxes that fit. Looks like a few nice ones on Amazon.
Thanks again all!
โApr-12-2021 08:45 AM
โApr-12-2021 07:10 AM
โApr-12-2021 06:50 AM
pianotuna wrote:
Gdetrailer,
All you have said is correct--but the REAL difference is that two six volts in series have 6 cells and two twelve volts in parallel have 12 cells. So the load per cell is 50% less with a pair of 12 volt cells. There are other factors too.
โApr-11-2021 02:27 PM
โApr-11-2021 02:26 PM
โApr-11-2021 01:49 PM
โApr-11-2021 01:03 PM
pianotuna wrote:mr_andyj wrote:
I cannot think of a single reason to use two 12 vs 2 6's.
High draw of 200 amps works much better on twin 12 volt batteries. I use a 3000 watt inverter, and I push it hard.
โApr-11-2021 11:24 AM
kfp673 wrote:
- I have not Checked wall-mart or auto parts stores. Where I have found 6V in stock local to me was a battery plus location selling Energizer, a golf cart company selling Trojan, and an interstate store. The price ranges for those 3 locations for a single 6V was $128 for Energizer / Interstate up to $200+ for trojan. NAPA online is $120. I am just not seeing anything below that. I was comparing that to a 90 Ah 12V Interstate for $120 each. This is where I came up with similar AH for similar money with 2 12V . 180 Ah with 12V vs 240Ah with 6V. By the way, we are fine paying a little more, I just wanted to make sure I was not missing something since I read so many posts talking about <$100 6V batteries.
โApr-11-2021 10:16 AM
mr_andyj wrote:
I cannot think of a single reason to use two 12 vs 2 6's.
โApr-11-2021 10:15 AM
kfp673 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I have a few responses to comments made throughout these posts.
- To be clear, I am comparing 2 6V vs 2 12 v not a single 12v. I have room for either on my tongue
- The Costco option does not appear to be an option for me. My Costco no longer carries them. Said they can order but when you read on-line the reviews are horrible for that Interstate 6V battery.
- I have not Checked wall-mart or auto parts stores. Where I have found 6V in stock local to me was a battery plus location selling Energizer, a golf cart company selling Trojan, and an interstate store. The price ranges for those 3 locations for a single 6V was $128 for Energizer / Interstate up to $200+ for trojan. NAPA online is $120. I am just not seeing anything below that. I was comparing that to a 90 Ah 12V Interstate for $120 each. This is where I came up with similar AH for similar money with 2 12V . 180 Ah with 12V vs 240Ah with 6V. By the way, we are fine paying a little more, I just wanted to make sure I was not missing something since I read so many posts talking about <$100 6V batteries.
I had my mind set on going with 6V this time around but was just surprised on the prices as I had always head they are cheaper. And, I was very surprised to see such terrible reviews on the Costco website for the Interstate 6V. I do have a tendency to discharge the battery quite far when we boondock, especially if we have to run the furnace, so points made in this thread of deeper discharge might be the important focus point for our situation
Thanks again everyone. I know this topic is beating a dead horse, but it was the Value / Cost angle I wanted to look at here.