we're new to rv world and just bought a TT, its used 27' Fleetwood. my question is the batteries are old and I would like to replace them, what should I look for? we will just be using it 3-4 days at a time and in campgrounds with hook ups most of the time. but will camp with no hook ups some also, just two of us.Jay D.

For camping without hookups for a few days, you probably need more than just a single little battery. Exactly how much depends on how much power you use, so the first and probably most important step is to figure out what your power consumption typically is and what sort of generator charging regimen you're expecting to use. A typical RV fridge on propane and the various detectors etc. that are always on might run somewhere around 20 Ah per day, give or take. Lights, fans, and electronics add some. If you use an inverter to power AC devices, that can consume a good bit of power--or a very lot if those things are high-powered devices like a microwave or coffee maker.Generally speaking, the best bang for the buck for RV batteries are 6V golf cart batteries. Sam's Club and Costco often carry them at pretty good prices, but compare with local golf cart shops as well. With 6V batteries, of course, you need to get them in pairs: two 6V batteries in series make a 12V battery that happens to be in two easier to handle sections.Do be aware that golf cart batteries are a little taller than some other common RV batteries, so measure your battery holder to verify clearance. This is a good idea for any battery, in fact.AGM batteries require somewhat less maintenance than flooded batteries and may typically last a bit longer, but are more expensive. If you have unlimited funds, lithium batteries can give a much higher capacity for the same size and weight, but you do need to update the chargers and the batteries themselves are expensive.If you camp in areas that are generally open and sunny, you might want to think about some solar power as well, though I suspect in your case it may not be worth the money as you'd only really need it occasionally. One exception might be if you store your RV someplace where power isn't available but sunlight is; a pretty modest solar setup can keep the battery charged in storage, which is important for the long-term health of lead acid batteries.I have a pair of golf cart batteries in my motorhome, and I can camp for maybe a week before they're needing to be recharged (that is, around 50% charge or so) if I don't have to use the furnace and otherwise am a little conservation minded. Using the furnace, it's closer to a couple days or less, depending on how much the furnace runs.

THANKS, for the reply. I did forget to mention the trailer has 2 group 27 batteries. i'm going to check out the solar panels. i'm also looking into a generator.Jay D.

The best bang for the buck is a couple of Costco 6V golf cart batteries. Stay away from marine "dual purpose" batteries, they are not really meant for deep discharge.For a few dollars more, get Trojan T-105RE 6V batteries.

Or twin Trojan T-125s! Seriously, to recharge consider solar as Drew suggests. I'm happy with my system.

badsix wrote:i'm also looking into a generator.Good choice.If you have a generator, you don't really NEED a lot of battery capacity. The little forced air "furnace" in my unit is the most draw I have and that only applies when it is cold at night.If you like to tinker, solar is OK but with a gen you don't really NEED it either.The key to long battery life is to keep them fully charged when NOT in use (not connected to external power).

batteries | Good Sam Community

41 Replies

Almot
Explorer III
Mar 29, 2017
Joel_T wrote:
TYPICALLY a generator always works. Solar, maybe. Being in the Pacific Northwest I, unfortunately, have to rank a generator as a more reliable source for power than solar.

Typically, generator failures are MUCH more likely than solar controller failures.

PNW is one of those places where chances of solar to become a useless weight are very high - even in summer. I wrote this earlier - "unless you camp in the kind of places and weather that BFL13 does".

Another charging 101:
It's not "sustained voltage" that matters (where did they get this term, don't know), but "attained SG".
90% charge is "good enough" - sometimes. Depends for how long, how often and what you do with it afterwards. Better to avoid this whenever possible.
Session off.

The OP will be on hook-ups most of the time. They didn't tell how long will be their off-grid stay or their energy needs. Can't see how a further discussion can be useful, without this info.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Mar 29, 2017
When we get "cloud cover" it is absolute. To the point of disrupting "SKY" Mexican TV satellite coverage for the kids. Don't know about anyone else but the neighbor's panel will go from around 7 amps to 9 amps when cloud edging then drop to .7 amps charge rate when the cumulus blocks the sun then fills the sky - a 90% reduction.

The only way I've found to get 100% guaranteed service, is to ring down for room service. "Camping" implies a certain amount of risk, uncertainty, and discomfort. Horse packing was involving to the extreme as far as planning was concerned. I had a friend who poo-pooed my advice and pointed his tent opening to the southwest and did not bother to zip it closed - it took an hour to trudge back to camp through a heavy September snow squall. His tent was filled with wet snow. Much of his anger was embarrassment I would believe.

Plan for the worst and enjoy the best....
Joel_T
Explorer
Mar 29, 2017
Sam Spade wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
Joel_T wrote:
A generator always works. Solar, maybe.

Not true...

Failures can occur with anything, even solar.
This post adds nothing useful to the discussion.

(Guess we're tied then.)

TYPICALLY a generator always works. Solar, maybe. Being in the Pacific Northwest I, unfortunately, have to rank a generator as a more reliable source for power than solar.
pnichols
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2017
John ... what you say above is why our RV has two generators.

Back to the OP's issue (if they are still reading this thread) ... you mentioned two Group 12V batteries. What about two Group 31 batteries instead? I've found that when two Group 27 batteries will fit, often two Group 31 batteries will fit. For the diffenence in cost, you might want to bump up to the 31's.

We used two Group 29's in our RV for years, and now we have a couple of 31's in it.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 29, 2017
wa8yxm wrote:
Joel_T wrote:
A generator always works. Solar, maybe.

Not true...

Failures can occur with anything, even solar.
This post adds nothing useful to the discussion.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 29, 2017
Almot wrote:

After 3 hours on generator battery won't be full, unless it was near full before, doesn't matter how many amps. Acceptance rate on the last 10 percent drops a lot.

Did I ever say "full" in any of my posts ?? Might have but I don't think so. In most situations, 90 percent is plenty good enough.

And it absolutely DOES matter how many "amps".....or more accurately, what the sustained charging voltage is.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 29, 2017
Almot wrote:
No need to think.

Not everyone is going to agree with your conclusions in this matter.
ESPECIALLY when you don't qualify your pronouncements either.

No need to start throwing around insults.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 29, 2017
Joel_T wrote:
A generator always works. Solar, maybe.

Not true... I have had my Generator quite on me about the time the Gas in the Tank got down to 1/4 FUll (Motor home, this by the way is "Working as designed")

Had some friends their generator started, but soon as you took your finger off the button it stopped. It was fortunate for them that they happened to be parked next to the only two 30 amp RV outlets in all the desert that actually worked.. part time at least.. So between solar and MY Generator they kept their batteries happy.
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 29, 2017
Sam Spade wrote:
what happens {to solar} if you have 3 days in a row of heavy clouds......or the only camp site you can get is in heavy shade ?

For purposes of general education:
It's heavy rain, not "heavy clouds" that kills solar. 3 days of heavy clouds would result in 3 days of 50-60% harvest compared to sunny day.

In a leafy shade on a sunny day solar still works but poorly. Big roof solar could still cut it though. Also, in case if you missed - a portable solar was mentioned I'm not a fan of those, but it can solve problems like shade. On short trips getting more/bigger batteries would be an option as well. Generator would be one more option.

After 3 hours on generator battery won't be full, unless it was near full before, doesn't matter how many amps. Acceptance rate on the last 10% drops a lot.
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 29, 2017
Joel_T wrote:
A generator always works. Solar, maybe.

"Always", right. All the threads about generators problems must be a hallucination.

"Maybe" - this is even better :). No need to think. Doesn't matter what location, what solar, what energy budget.