Deep Cycle Battery???

[richardtc17]

When I recently purchased my TT that included a NAPA Battery - Marine Starting - Universal BCI #24M Battery PART # BAT 8304

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBE8304

I was told it was a deep cycle battery. Given that it is a "starting" battery and it says nothing about being a deep cycle battery I have my doubts.

What are the downsides of this battery?

I know they are not meant to discharge to any great degree. They are starting batteries so they can provide starting power. My guess is that it won't last as long.

The RV dealer is out of state, but I am considering requesting that they set up a way for me to return it to a local NAPA.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Richard

[rsaylor3]

So will the converter in the camper properly charge a deep cycle 29 or does it require a separate quality charger?

[SoundGuy]

ysidive wrote:
You could also opt to purchase AMG batteries at Sams Club...They have Duracell Deep Cycle AMG 31 Series batteries at very reasonable prices...

full_mosey wrote:
ysidive; they are Absorbed Glass Mat(AGM), not AMG.

richardtc17; I have used AGM batteries since 2009.

Duracell AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 31 aka; DEKA Intimidator Group 31 that is relabeled for SamsClub.

And here in Canada these East Penn / Deka batteries are labelled as RV Care Traveler's Choice but are the exact same batteries. Note the instructions for properly charging these AGM batteries ...

[richardtc17]

SoundGuy wrote:

richardtc17 wrote:
Looks like our choices are:

• Another battery in parallel
• All new battery setup - a few choices here
• Adequate solar
• Generator

Just keep in mind that with any battery selection how you're going to properly maintain that battery bank is also critically important, keeping in mind that often that converter / charger as installed by the trailer manufacturer is inadequate for the task at hand. 😞 One example would be those Duracell AGMs suggested by another poster which require temperature compensated charging which almost no stock trailer converter will do. Some batteries require bulk charging at 14.4 volts, others at 14.8 volts which many converter chargers won't do. Some manufacturers warn against equalizing their AGM batteries, others say you can and should. In other words it's critically important you match the batteries you intend to invest in with a charging system that meets the charging requirements for those batteries. For a single flooded battery which may have been supplied by the dealer and on which you only rely from time to time this isn't much of an issue as it can easily be replaced when the time comes at moderate cost but once you decide to put substantial investment into a bank of batteries, particularly more costly AGMs, plus a genset, and/or solar, you really only want to do that once you have a more complete understanding of the issues involved in properly drawing down and recharging those batteries. Unfortunately some, perhaps even many, regard solar as getting something for nothing but the reality is solar can only produce maximum results when the panels are fully exposed to the sun, so unless you're out in the desert somewhere all the time there will be plenty of times when it's going to do you little to no good at all. A genset can solve this issue for you BUT the reality is there are often restricted times at which you may be allowed to run it, and if those times don't match your schedule you may well still be left with a depleted battery bank. The point? - there really is no simple "one size fits all" solution to running days or weeks on battery power alone ... jump in too soon without understanding all that is involved and you're sure to regret it. 😉

Whew! Incredibly, valuable information. We are going to act as if we are dry camping this weekend. Our form of a field test.

Thanks so much!

[full_mosey]

richardtc17 wrote:

ysidive wrote:
You could also opt to purchase AMG batteries at Sams Club...They have Duracell Deep Cycle AMG 31 Series batteries at very reasonable prices...The AMG batteries can be discharged further than a normal wet cell battery... Advantage that they are sealed, never need water added..True maintenance Free... Made By Deka Battery...Same Specs as the Deka 31ADTM... Only difference is the warranty, but a lot less in dollars...These are Marine Deep cycle...

Thanks so much! Will check out these options.

ysidive; they are Absorbed Glass Mat(AGM), not AMG.

richardtc17; I have used AGM batteries since 2009.

Duracell AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 31 aka; DEKA Intimidator Group 31 that is relabeled for SamsClub.

HTH;
John

[SoundGuy]

richardtc17 wrote:
Looks like our choices are:

• Another battery in parallel
• All new battery setup - a few choices here
• Adequate solar
• Generator

Just keep in mind that with any battery selection how you're going to properly maintain that battery bank is also critically important, keeping in mind that often that converter / charger as installed by the trailer manufacturer is inadequate for the task at hand. 😞 One example would be those Duracell AGMs suggested by another poster which require temperature compensated charging which almost no stock trailer converter will do. Some batteries require bulk charging at 14.4 volts, others at 14.8 volts which many converter chargers won't do. Some manufacturers warn against equalizing their AGM batteries, others say you can and should. In other words it's critically important you match the batteries you intend to invest in with a charging system that meets the charging requirements for those batteries. For a single flooded battery which may have been supplied by the dealer and on which you only rely from time to time this isn't much of an issue as it can easily be replaced when the time comes at moderate cost but once you decide to put substantial investment into a bank of batteries, particularly more costly AGMs, plus a genset, and/or solar, you really only want to do that once you have a more complete understanding of the issues involved in properly drawing down and recharging those batteries. Unfortunately some, perhaps even many, regard solar as getting something for nothing but the reality is solar can only produce maximum results when the panels are fully exposed to the sun, so unless you're out in the desert somewhere all the time there will be plenty of times when it's going to do you little to no good at all. A genset can solve this issue for you BUT the reality is there are often restricted times at which you may be allowed to run it, and if those times don't match your schedule you may well still be left with a depleted battery bank. The point? - there really is no simple "one size fits all" solution to running days or weeks on battery power alone ... jump in too soon without understanding all that is involved and you're sure to regret it. 😉

[richardtc17]

Tvov wrote:
I suggest at least a few camping trips before investing in more batteries or charging systems. What you have might be fine.

When we first bought our TT, I immediately started looking at gas generators and/or solar. The more we camped, the more I realized we were fine with just single battery power for a 3 or 4 day weekend.

When you "dry camp" (no hookups), what will preserve your battery power is careful usage of power. Try to use as little power from the camper battery as possible. Basically pretend you are tent camping in a hard sided tent. Lots of threads in this forum with ideas on power conservation.

If you are really going to be doing a lot of week long plus dry camping or boondocking, then you will need more power.

You described me to a tee! Thanks!

[beemerphile1]

richardtc17 wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
Most RVs are sold with a similar group 24 hybrid battery. They also do just fine for most owners because they always camp with hook ups.

Whether or not this battery works well for you depends on your use. You didn't say how you will be camping.

We are looking forward to trying sites with little to no services. I guess I minimally will look into another battery to run in parallel....

If this is a new or nearly new battery, the most cost efficient option is to add another identical or similar battery. People that drycamp more than two days at a time usually find that a single battery isn't enough.

Batteries used together should be of similar age and design to prevent one battery discharging the other.

[Tvov]

I suggest at least a few camping trips before investing in more batteries or charging systems. What you have might be fine.

When we first bought our TT, I immediately started looking at gas generators and/or solar. The more we camped, the more I realized we were fine with just single battery power for a 3 or 4 day weekend.

When you "dry camp" (no hookups), what will preserve your battery power is careful usage of power. Try to use as little power from the camper battery as possible. Basically pretend you are tent camping in a hard sided tent. Lots of threads in this forum with ideas on power conservation.

If you are really going to be doing a lot of week long plus dry camping or boondocking, then you will need more power.

[richardtc17]

ysidive wrote:
You could also opt to purchase AMG batteries at Sams Club...They have Duracell Deep Cycle AMG 31 Series batteries at very reasonable prices...The AMG batteries can be discharged further than a normal wet cell battery... Advantage that they are sealed, never need water added..True maintenance Free... Made By Deka Battery...Same Specs as the Deka 31ADTM... Only difference is the warranty, but a lot less in dollars...These are Marine Deep cycle...

Thanks so much! Will check out these options.

[richardtc17]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Most RVs are sold with a similar group 24 hybrid battery. They also do just fine for most owners because they always camp with hook ups.

Whether or not this battery works well for you depends on your use. You didn't say how you will be camping.

Thanks for asking! Our maiden voyage is this weekend, three nights in Charlestown State Park in southern Indiana, near Louisville - electric only, no problem.

In early June we are making a loop out west that includes three nights in Rocky Mountain NP with no hookups, as well as the same in Grand Canyon NP.

We will be field testing our current battery this weekend. Likely we will need to supplement it.

Looks like our choices are:

• Another battery in parallel
• All new battery setup - a few choices here
• Adequate solar
• Generator

My preference is a combination of battery/solar.

Thanks again!

[ysidive]

You could also opt to purchase AMG batteries at Sams Club...They have Duracell Deep Cycle AMG 31 Series batteries at very reasonable prices...The AMG batteries can be discharged further than a normal wet cell battery... Advantage that they are sealed, never need water added..True maintenance Free... Made By Deka Battery...Same Specs as the Deka 31ADTM... Only difference is the warranty, but a lot less in dollars...These are Marine Deep cycle...

[westend]

I'd suggest to buy two of those Sam's club batteries and either hold on to the marine battery, sell it, or pass it along to family and friends.

At my local Sam's the core charge is only $5 so I chose to pay it.

These 6V deep discharge battery are made for golf carts and as such, are durable.
If you treat them right, they'll provide 12V power for long durations, depending on your use.

[pianotuna]

Yes, it works somewhat better with a large wattage inverter.

No, many RV'ers have 1000 watt inverters that can present a load of 120 amps to the battery bank.

Searching_Ut wrote:
If you wanted to run a high power inverter for short periods of time it might be a good choice. Most RV'ers however are looking for low to medium power demand, for a fair amount of time. they also tend to want to drain the battery down a fair bit, often to 50 percent SOC or so.

[Searching_Ut]

If you're looking for deep cycle batteries, I just picked up 4 Duracell EGC2 batteries at my local sams club for $92.50 a piece. They're made by Deka and are identical to the GC15 6 volt batteries with a 20hr rate of 230 AH. Not a bad price. You can get the slightly lower capacity for about $85 per battery at either Sams Club or Costco. The Costco batteries are Interstate brand in most areas I believe. Just remember you'll also have to pay a core charge which varies by state if you don't have an exchange battery.

[Lwiddis]

"Also looking into a 100 Watt solar panel and charge controller setup that can be upgraded if needed." Richard, general guideline is one watt of solar for each amp of battery capacity. Expandable? Yes!