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MN_Lance's avatar
MN_Lance
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013

RV trailer 2 different battries ok?

Trailer has one size 24 interstate deep cycle rv/marine with 600 CCA and I want to add another battery exide size 24 deep cycle marine/rv with 500 CCA is it a bad idea to mix these two or should I spend the extra money and get its "mate" ? thank you!!
  • You can do it but your capacity will be reduced to the level of the weakest battery
  • They need to be a balanced set for reason mentioned in previous post. You could take the second along and manually switch over. I would just buy a new matched set. Best of luck
  • I run two different size batteries on my trailer only because of size constraints. I have never had any issues with it. Also, I have a battery switch that allows me to choose Battery 1, Battery 2, Both, or Off.
    I plan on adding more batttery capacity in the future and when I do I will be using the same size, larger batteries.
  • MN Lance wrote:
    Trailer has one size 24 interstate deep cycle rv/marine with 600 CCA and I want to add another battery exide size 24 deep cycle marine/rv with 500 CCA is it a bad idea to mix these two or should I spend the extra money and get its "mate" ? thank you!!

    Get its mate,but the world wont end if you get smaller one
  • RWDIII wrote:

    Get its mate,but the world wont end if you get smaller one


    What he said. It WILL work with mismatched batteries, but they'll both live longer and you'll be happier with their performance if they are matched, both in capacity and in age.
  • It is best to match size and relative age of batteries but using slightly different ones won't cause huge issues.

    If you decide to buy two new GP24s I would suggest you look at getting 2 GC2 6volts instead. About the same price but you will get close to 50% more capacity and a set of batteries that can better take the abuse of heavy discharges.