UPS Batteries
Are UPS batteries good for use in RV's? (AGM Batteries designed for use in Uninterrupted Power Systems.) What are the advantages and disadvantages? Thanks for your advice.
Forum Discussion
poppa wrote:
why 2 6v vrs 1 12v? new to this
Age old question..
In reality, EVERY "Lead Acid" type battery (flooded as in liquid, AGM as in Absorbed Glass Mat or Gelled lead acid IE gel battery) consists of 2V "Cells" which are internally wired in series.
THREE 2V cells for a "6V" battery.
SIX 2V cells for a "12V" battery.
Then there is the type of use, you have "starting batteries" which are typically used in your vehicle to well, start the engine, they are built to give high current, shallow discharge for starting and the life depends on being quickly recharged by the alternator as soon as the engine is running. Typically will not handle long deep discharges more then 10% of the battery capacity without damage
Then you have dual use RV/Marine which are a hybrid Start/Deep cycle, typically 12V only and Group sizes 24 and 27 are common for these. They typically tend to do either job not as good as a starting battery or as a deep cycle. Typically this is the battery design used with most RVs as the house battery. Can often be discharged to 50% without affecting battery life.
Then you have deep cycle battery, these puppies are designed for long deep discharges as much as 80% discharge without severely affecting battery life (although 50% discharges will increase battery life over 50%) .. The common easy to find and low cost in the this category is the Golf Cart batteries which are 6V or 8V so you do need to make sure you pick the right voltage.
What you need depends on how you plan to camp..
Camp in campgrounds with commercial power only, a single 12V RV/Marine Group 24 or Group 27 should work for you.
Camp in campgrounds with and without power, 2 12V RV/marine group 27 might work for you for say a weekend in you conserve power.
Camp in campgrounds with and without power AND you have a residential fridge then you will need to skip the 12V RV/Marine batteries and go with GC batts..
Plenty of other possible scenarios but it boils down to how you are going to camp and how long..
Generator and or solar can also make a difference..
