House Batteries

[sgt77]

Wise ones,

I am looking at the advantages or disadvantages of replacing my two 12v house batteries with 6v. I have seen several posts which mention the change over, but not really have seen a good explanation of why. Our coach is an 02 Winnebago Adventurer 35U.

[time2roll]

The debate has been long and often.
Are there specific concerns you have with the change?

[Clay_L]

One thing to note. My Sightseer had two 12 volt batteries. They lasted about 8 years and were in the process of dieing when a friend gave me two 6 volt Trojans that still had some life in them.
The problem was that they were taller than the 12 volt ones and I had to modify (extend)the hold down rods. That was a pain in the ***.

[DryCamper11]

sgt77 wrote:
I am looking at the advantages or disadvantages of replacing my two 12v house batteries with 6v.

Usually it's because it's harder to find good 12v that are true deep cycle. If you find one, it's either ultraheavy (my 6V weighs 66 pounds and a comparable 12V would weigh 132 pounds) or it's so small that you need to parallel it anyway and it's safer to put two 6 volts in series than two 12's in parallel. Finally, it's usually cheaper to buy 6 volt golf cart batteries, which are made and sold in larger quantities.

Some people even go with 2 volt deep cycles, when really large battery banks are being constructed.
My RV was designed for a single size 8D 12 volt - but I just couldn't handle that weight. To fit golf cart batteries, I needed more vertical room, and while adding that height, I was able to widen the compartment - allowing me to fit 4 sixers. It's worked really well for me.

[2oldman]

Here are some good (and not so good) explanations:

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

[jauguston]

Their life span in a RV house battery application is generally quite a bit longer.

Jim