Hello everybody....please help...I think my head is going to explode. :)The battery (single) on my TT (26' Rvision SuperSport) is dead...dead dead...won't move the needle dead. I'm assuming there is no going back so I'm searching for a new one. The existing one has no lables or anything left on it, I can't find any markings. The seller told me it was original to the TT so it's been around since 2008. Most of the time we will be plugged in, if my wife gets her way that is..I would love to boondock a bit though and if the battery goes dead the first night it will be the last time I can talk her into "roughing it". I know that running the AC and the Microwave are out...no matter what battery we buy...A man has got to know his limitations...Can somebody please recommend a good battery for our needs. I've searched Amazon and places like that and keep coming up with too many choices with too many price points...I don't feel well enough informed to make a decision. Please...share a brand or a size or both....Also, stick with one or expand to 2 for longer life? Most of our trips will be anywhere from 2-4 nights...any longer and we will absolutely be "plugged in". On the shorter trips I'm ok with hooking up the jumper cables and running the truck for an hour or so to recharge...would that be helpful? Thank you in advance!!

I use a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries in my fifth wheel, and that's my recommendation. Mine are Interstate brand that I got from Costco for about $85 each. I think Sam's Club has them for a similar price. They're wet so you have to add water periodically, but that's a pretty minor inconvenience.

Go to Sams Club and get a Deep Cycle 12V Btry Group 31. JMO

Most often the dealer installs one group 24 rv/marine battery when selling a new RV. That is probably what you have.You could install a pair of 12vdc group 24, a pair of 6vdc golf car batteries, or larger 12vdc batteries such as group 27 or group 29. It is all up to you. The name on the battery isn't greatly important in spite of what advertisers tell you.

Thanks! I think I understand that the "group" is the physical size of the battery itself...is there another number I should be looking for...like what amp hour rating would you consider to be OK in a large battery?I definitely prefer a sealed system....I'm terrible with maintenance. Good intentions and all, I'll even put it on the calendar, but in reality I'll add water once or twice, but after that...well, I'll be buying a new battery again. :) Not proud, it's just my truth. I saw another post about adding a second battery and the issue of sufficient space came up...that would be an issue for me too...pretty tight in there and I just bought this thing....haven't even camped in it yet so I don't know that I know enough to be taking it to a metal fabricator to make a custom mount for a second battery. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated!beemerphile1 wrote:Most often the dealer installs one group 24 rv/marine battery when selling a new RV. That is probably what you have.You could install a pair of 12vdc group 24, a pair of 6vdc golf car batteries, or larger 12vdc batteries such as group 27 or group 29. It is all up to you. The name on the battery isn't greatly important in spite of what advertisers tell you.

I'd suggest to measure the battery size, take it with you, visit a Sam's club or Costco and buy a replacement battery. If you camp off-grid and run the battery too low, go back the next week and buy another of the same and connect them together.What we don't know is how much power you are going to use, the size of your battery box/tray and the amount of off-grid you're going to do.Two 6V GC2 batteries wired in series are the best solution for increased battery capacity. The larger plates and taller case make them more durable for RV use/abuse. The price is often lower than two 12V marine/starter batteries. Trojan batteries are the standard to which others are compared.6V GC2 batteries have the same footprint as a BCI group 24 12V battery.

Please help with New Battery Purchase | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
May 04, 2016
It would seem the issue is not what size battery but what convenience items you can do without.

When we pull the plug we lose the television, the microwave, airconditioner, the fans and anything else we plug in. We also lose the ability to easily recharge cameras, cell phones, kindle, computers etc. unless we use the TV battery.

Our factory battery will last about two days, perhaps more now that we have converted to LED bulbs. As canoe and tent campers non-electric is no big deal and we do like the convenience of a large aluminum tent.

We have camped the TT without electric when it was not available but usually just for a day or so.

There are places we would like to boondock too, mainly on BLM land out west but it takes more than a big battery, it takes the right mindset. Many of the boonies sites are also communication deserts. In essence you have to like "camping" not RVing.
72cougarxr7
Explorer
May 04, 2016
The 3 common RV batteries would be:
Group 24 10-1/4" long x 6-3/4" wide
Group 27 12" long x 6-3/4" wide
Group 31 13-1/2" long x 6-3/4" wide

These are all approximate dimensions, sizes may vary slightly by manufacturer.

Buy the biggest that will fit.
I like Deka (East Penn Manufacturing) or AC Delco Voyager. Interstate is also decent, as is the Walmart Everstart made by Johnson Controls.
wrenchbender
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
I second getting a GRP 31 RV battery from wally world if it fits your needs.
Steve_B_
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
After researching this the last time around, I went to Walmart and got a marine deep cycle battery and it has been fine. I replace about every 5 years. I only use it for lights so I've never run it out while on a trip.
westend
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Newer trailer converters/chargers are multistage. Bulk, absorb, float. 14.8, 14.8-2, and 13.5 or so. If you run them down it will take 2 hrs with jumper cables to get back to 85-90 percent of capacity. The last 15 percent takes a long time.

Do yourself a favor and buy a disconnect switch if you don't have one or pull a terminal connection when in storage. The parasitic draws of circuit boards, alarms, and such will drain your batteries in a week. Do that multiple times and you'll buying more batteries.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 30, 2016
King Hugh wrote:
Todays question is about the charging of the new batteries. What voltage should i expect to see at the battery when the shore line is plugged in? I dont want to boil them dry.

Thanks for the help!
A multistage converter is what you want.
I recommend Progressive Dynamics or IOTA only.
Possibly Power Max if mostly plugged in.

Most converters just trickle charge at a fixed 13.6 volts.
King_Hugh
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
So, turns out there is a golf cart dealership near my home so i stopped and talked to them. Sadly they seemed to know less about batteries than i do, but said they could order any battery i want. They found me a true deep cycle battery for 120.00. I ended up with flooded batteries. Cost was a big factor but also it seems that the other types arent really any better. I just need to be diligent about checking the water.

I couldnt fit 2 grp 27's and would get more power out of 2 24s than i would out of a single 27, so i mounted 2 24's and wired them up. So far so good. They just barely fit and i had to modify the box covers a bit to make room for the wires but overall I'm satisfied with how it turned out.

Todays question is about the charging of the new batteries. What voltage should i expect to see at the battery when the shore line is plugged in? I dont want to boil them dry.

Thanks for the help!
beemerphile1
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
King Hugh wrote:
Thanks! I think I understand that the "group" is the physical size of the battery itself...is there another number I should be looking for...like what amp hour rating would you consider to be OK in a large battery?

I definitely prefer a sealed system....I'm terrible with maintenance. Good intentions and all, I'll even put it on the calendar, but in reality I'll add water once or twice, but after that...well, I'll be buying a new battery again. :) Not proud, it's just my truth.

I saw another post about adding a second battery and the issue of sufficient space came up...that would be an issue for me too...pretty tight in there and I just bought this thing....haven't even camped in it yet so I don't know that I know enough to be taking it to a metal fabricator to make a custom mount for a second battery.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated!

Since this RV is new to you, it is unknown how you will be using it. Also since you want to eliminate maintenance, you will need an AGM or gel battery.

I would suggest you buy a single AGM battery that will fit in your available space. It will cost substantially more than a similar size flooded battery.

All batteries of any given size will have very similar amp hour ratings. The rating normally used for comparing deep cycle batteries is the 20hr rating.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 19, 2016
The 12 Volt Side of Life
opnspaces
Navigator II
Apr 19, 2016
looking at pictures on the internet it doesn't appear to have room for two batteries. If you have a Walmart close by you could always buy another battery storage box (no battery) and see if you can fit two boxes side by side. If so by two batteries and wire them up. If not then take the box back to Walmart and get a refund.

As far as batteries my choices would be

first choice 2 Six volt batteries (Costco 84 ea)

Second 2 group 24 or 27 batteries from Walmart. These will be marine batteries and not a true deep cycle like the golf carts, but better than a starting battery. (80 - 100)

3rd a single group 24 or 27 battery. Again This will be a marine battery and not a true deep cycle like the golf carts, but better than a starting battery

As far as capacities you are basically stuck on what they have on the shelf, but if you can find a reserve capacity then the more the better

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