Another battery question

[fred_garvin]

After a search on this forum and google, I am still a little lost on a battery alternative for my nortstar 650. It will be used 80% dry camping and I am considering solar as an add on. Is the idea of 2 6v in series or one 12v (wet cell or agm)the way to go and then, which brand? Has anyone with 2 6v ever had one fail? A good deep cycle wet cell with the associated maintenance would be where I am tending to go but would like other opinions as to some other advantage that I may be missing. Thanks

[64thunderbolt]

Ron3rd wrote:

fred garvin wrote:
After a search on this forum and google, I am still a little lost on a battery alternative for my nortstar 650. It will be used 80% dry camping and I am considering solar as an add on. Is the idea of 2 6v in series or one 12v (wet cell or agm)the way to go and then, which brand? Has anyone with 2 6v ever had one fail? A good deep cycle wet cell with the associated maintenance would be where I am tending to go but would like other opinions as to some other advantage that I may be missing. Thanks

If you've got the room for 2 batteries, definitely go that route. 2 of the 6v golf cart batteries is a very popular and viable option and they're very reliable in most cases as they are heavier duty "true" deep cycle batteries.

Just my opinion but the dual group 24 or group 27 Marine/Deep Cycle batteries is the most bang for the buck and properly maintained, will last many years. I run dual 24's.

Though not a true deep cycle battery like the 6v golf cart batteries, they are the most commonly seen setup on the road and are the batteries supplied with over 90% of the trailers on the road. They can usually be found for around $70-$80 each. That's what I've been running for 10 years and am very satisfied. If you've got the $$ and room to fit them, go with the twin 6v golf cart batteries for the max amp hours. I've toyed with going with the twin 6v's when I retire these batteries, but I don't see the need and can't really justify the cost. BTW, if not properly maintained, no battery will last for long.

With 80% boondocking the 24's will not cut it. I know cause my toy hauler had them in it when I bought it. I went with 2 Interstate GC2's and have a solar maintainer while stored. The GC2's have more reserve and will not be damaged as easily if discharged more often. And check the ahr on the 2 and you will see the 6v is the way to go.

[svjim]

If you are going solar, AGM is the way to go. I had two Lifeline 6 volt batteries in my fifth wheel and the lasted for over 11 years. Good AGM batteries are not cheap, but with a good charging system they will last a very long time. They are maintenance free, charge quicker, and able to withstand cold temperatures better then conventional batteries.

Jim

[pianotuna]

Most rv's have woefully small banks for the demands placed on them. Many charging systems are inadequate to the needs of recharging to 100%.

The fastest way to destroy a bank is to deep cycle it to well below 50% state of charge.

Next on the list is failing to charge back to 100%. I believe this is often due to inadequate charge time on battery charging devices that are not capable of equalizing the bank.

Over charging is something to avoid.

How to avoid the pitfalls.

Use a combination approach to charging. On long trips the alternator can do a lot of the "heavy lifting". Solar takes care of equalization and temperature compensation for me. Because I run my rv as if it had no propane I do opportunity charging via a generator because the pure sine wave inverter is not yet installed, and I have two devices that absolutely require psw.

This approach has allowed me to use 12 volt jars. With four of the seven, I'm at nine years and counting.

Now that I full time, my solar system is unequal to the task of returning the bank to 100% daily, so next years modification will be a fairly large upgrade to 1250 watts. My hope is to make the generator totally redundant.

I'm hoping that when the time comes to replace the battery banks that some better and affordable (not cheap) battery chemistries such as those based on LI will be available. If they are not, I'll probably seek out 2 volt AGM jars and drop my capacity somewhat.

Let me finish by saying this approach to off the grid power is not for everyone. It has worked well for me.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"Nope, but never had a 12v DC go bad either"

Bet-cha nickel an Eskimo has never tasted a mango, either.

You are quite fortunate. The vendor I subcontracted to shipped warranty batteries back by the pallet (36 batteries at a whack) Three pallets per load.

Comparing an auto "RV" battery to a good golf car battery is like comparing a "Ginzu" knife to a Buck knife. Some folks do just fine with Ron Popiel's product. But I draw the line when they brag their knife is "Just As Good".

Like anything else, perspective is most accurate when dealing with enough numbers to quantify a realistic sampling. I have to live by these rules just like everyone else.

[RJsfishin]

Speaking, 6 or 12 volt ??
Only problem w/ reading, you run in to very false and misleading information like this ridiculous post below ! You are much better using logical thinking, along w/ a little math. Remember, amp hrs, are amp hrs, no matter what box their in.
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Quote:
I have 4 golf cart batteries and can along with my solar panels boon dock for 4-5 days even on cloudy days before I need to use my generator. Previously I had 4 12 bolt batteries and had to use the generator every couple of days under similar circumstances.

[BFL13]

fred garvin wrote:
Thanks for all of the quick and informative replies. Since my post this morning, I stopped by the Interstate dealer and was quoted a price of 340.00 for 2 6vs and 50.00 for the 21 inch battery tray plus core charge. One 12v deep cycle was 100.00. Seems I could buy 3 12vs for the same kind of money. I see someone posted a much lower price for cart batteries. I assume there is a difference between the 6v cart batteries and the Interstate ones? I am steering towards the dual 6vs but wow! the price. Am I missing something?

Yes, you missed that you can get the same batteries at Costco or Sam's (In the States, not in Canada) for much less money. ( in Canada those Costco 208s are $115 vs ? 90 ? in the States)

The Interstate GC2 XHDs at 232AH might go for over $150 each but your Costco or Sam's battery at maybe 208AH goes for say $90. Do you need more than 208? Is another 24AH worth another $120?

[3_tons]

fred garvin wrote:
Thanks for all of the quick and informative replies. Since my post this morning, I stopped by the Interstate dealer and was quoted a price of 340.00 for 2 6vs and 50.00 for the 21 inch battery tray plus core charge. One 12v deep cycle was 100.00. Seems I could buy 3 12vs for the same kind of money. I see someone posted a much lower price for cart batteries. I assume there is a difference between the 6v cart batteries and the Interstate ones? I am steering towards the dual 6vs but wow! the price. Am I missing something?

Interstate has priced itself into Trojan territory, 5yrs back I got my Interstate 6v for $85 each...Try Sams Club or Costco, about $80 each and should serve you just as well...

3 tons

[Ron3rd]

fred garvin wrote:
Thanks for all of the quick and informative replies. Since my post this morning, I stopped by the Interstate dealer and was quoted a price of 340.00 for 2 6vs and 50.00 for the 21 inch battery tray plus core charge. One 12v deep cycle was 100.00. Seems I could buy 3 12vs for the same kind of money. I see someone posted a much lower price for cart batteries. I assume there is a difference between the 6v cart batteries and the Interstate ones? I am steering towards the dual 6vs but wow! the price. Am I missing something?

For that amount of $$, the Interstates should be the Golf Cart Batteries. Shop around for the Trojan T105's or check Costco and Sams, but not all of them carry them. I bought a couple of Group 24's (marine/deep cycle) at Costco to put in my old trailer before I sold it and they were around $80 each. My new trailer came with 1 Interstate Group 24 so I added 1 more and it was around $100 as you were quoted.

The three 12v's is not a bad idea btw if you have the room and can handle the weight.

[pianotuna]

There are reasons to use twelve volt jars instead of six volt. Individual cell failure is NOT a reason to avoid six volt units.

The ultimate is two volt jars, but you will have sticker shock.

[fred_garvin]

Thanks for all of the quick and informative replies. Since my post this morning, I stopped by the Interstate dealer and was quoted a price of 340.00 for 2 6vs and 50.00 for the 21 inch battery tray plus core charge. One 12v deep cycle was 100.00. Seems I could buy 3 12vs for the same kind of money. I see someone posted a much lower price for cart batteries. I assume there is a difference between the 6v cart batteries and the Interstate ones? I am steering towards the dual 6vs but wow! the price. Am I missing something?

[Ron3rd]

delete

[gatorcq]

We dry-camp as much as we can in the Southwester states, even at Elks lodge, American legion.
see the signature

[2oldman]

fred garvin wrote:
Has anyone with 2 6v ever had one fail?

We get that question from time to time. To me it's moot..and nothing to be concerned about. After all, 2-6v batteries are just 1-12v battery in two pieces, and nobody asks about a single 12v battery failing. Catastrophic battery failure is almost unheard of. Failure from neglect or old age, that's a sure thing.

By the way, for boondocking, you're likely going to need more than 2 batteries.

Here's some reading...
12v or 6 Dec 2013
2- 12v or 6v June 2013
12v vs 6v batteries 2013
Why 2 6? 2006

Anybody had one 6v fail?2010

[RJsfishin]

Has anyone with 2 6v ever had one fail?
------------------------------------------
Nope, but never had a 12v DC go bad either.

6v or 12v, it don't make no difference I'm tellin ya !
But I hate parallel connection, the reason I'd go w/6'ers, given the choice.