Batteries

[Gary_Morency]

Does anyone have a preference on what flooded batteries are any better than the Walmart ones I have. Don,t really want to spend big money on Lithium and would like to switch to a couple of 31s. The camper is a 2011 Lance 1191.

[2oldman]

otrfun wrote:
A standard automotive battery spends quite a bit of time being subjected to massive load spikes by the starter motor. Deep discharge batteries typically have it a lot easier.

It does.. hundreds of amps, many times per day. Deep cycles are pretty much loafing.

[otrfun]

JimBollman wrote:
I have never had an deep discharge battery fail catastrophically but I have had 4 starter batteries short cells or suddenly open cell over roughly 40 years.

This makes sense. A standard automotive battery spends quite a bit of time being subjected to massive load spikes by the starter motor. Deep discharge batteries typically have it a lot easier.

[covered_wagon]

My take on which batteries, are the ones that make you feel you made the right choice and electrify your camping experience. I'm on my third set of wet cells (replaced last summer) that the previous averaged going 6-7 years. That's good enough since I've had my NL since september of 2003.

I like wet cells since they give me the opportunity to replace them more often. lol.

[jplante4]

K Mac wrote:
Gjac, what do you mean by equalize ?

Equalizing

[Gary_Morency]

My 1191 will fit 2 group 27s the tray is 1/2in short for a 29 and not tall enough for 2 6v which most people use were we dry camp in the winter.I could remove the tray and fit 2 29s or 31s in there but it might be a problem checking the water.

[K_Mac]

Gjac, what do you mean by equalize ?

[MORSNOW]

My campers battery compartment would not fit two group 27 batteries (like 1/4" short), and two group 24's have a low amp hour capability, so I went with two 6 volt batteries that just fit height wise and had room to spare sideways. 95% of my camping is remote Alaska dry camping so I needed battery AH capacity to last long enough for long weekends. Dual 6 volts give superior amp hour capacity and allow me to go up to a week dry camping. I've never had to add water in over 5 seasons of use either, they are great.

[JimBollman]

I have never had an deep discharge battery fail catastrophically but I have had 4 starter batteries short cells or suddenly open cell over roughly 40 years.

[2oldman]

jimh425 wrote:
Show weakness means what? The fact remains if one 6V fails, you have less than 12V.

Weakness is indicated by a decrease of capacity.. such as your batteries dropping in voltage much quicker than they used to for the same load. Most boondockers replace them at this point, say around 4 years, rather than wait until one almost certainly "fails" and the other one isn't far behind.

The chances of a sudden, unexpected catastrophic failure of any battery is extremely rare. That's why golf carts have relied on 6-6v batteries in series for years.

[jimh406]

Show weakness means what? The fact remains if one 6V fails, you have less than 12V.

[Eric_Lisa]

fpoole wrote:
I use Trojan T-105s...
I have 10 of them and seem to be a good choice in general...
If flooded, then the watering system is helpful so you don't have to pull them out to check/fill with water.
I just set a reminder once a month to fill/check them...
A lot of peeps have them...
Hope that helps..

I have been a fan of Trojan batteries for years, but unfortunately the shine has worn off them a bit. I put one in my boat (used a half dozen times per year) and it only made it two seasons before dying. Completely flat. Would not take or hold a charge. The previous battery was down-ranked and is still starting the diesel tractor after being a good dozen years old. So it is not like the use in the boat somehow abused the battery.

I realized the Trojan battery dealer in Portland, OR put a new sticker on an older battery. I didn't catch it. The sticker was 2017, but the burned in stamp on the battery indicated 2015.

So despite having good luck with the Trojan battery in the camper, I am not as big of a fan of them as I once was. I don't know if my experience was the result of a bad product or a shady dealer.

YMMV!
-Eric

[2oldman]

towpro wrote:
the only argument against 6v has been "if you have one battery die while your out, you will end up with no batteries because 1 6v don't help, but if you have 2 12V batteries you can pull one and still have 12v.

That argument works for people who run their batteries into the ground rather than replace them when they show weakness.

[towpro]

6v batteries are designed for Golf Carts and are real deep cycle batteries. most of the 12V batteries are combination of starting batteries to Deep Cycle.

I think it had to do with the size of plates, thick plates last longer for deep cycle, but don't produce the instant current needed for starting. thin plates make higher current but don't last as long in deep cycle operations.

the only argument against 6v has been "if you have one battery die while your out, you will end up with no batteries because 1 6v don't help, but if you have 2 12V batteries you can pull one and still have 12v.

[2oldman]

larkyblast wrote:
Can someone explain to me the benefit of switching to two 6v batteries?

6v v 12 2018
6v v 12 2017
6v v 12 2017
12v vs 6v.. which charge faster? 2014
12v or 6 Dec 2013
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