TT batts

[sluggo68]

I currently have 2 interstate Deep Cycle, 5RM-24, 690 MCA / marine/rv batts in my 2014RLSS TT. the are 1.5 yrs old. I was wondering what are the best Batts to have for a TT? I have heard that some people have 6vt golf cart batts on theirs. I want to get the longest lasting use/life out of them with little maintenance & the longest life out of them.

[Gdetrailer]

Still Searchin' wrote:
I would say it is rare to get over 5 years with typical lead/acid 12v batteries.
I averaged about 4.5 - 5 years, and that was taking them off the TT during the winter and putting them on a trickle charger.
Ditto that the more deep discharges that you do, the shorter time your batteries will last.
If you are going to boondock, consider an Olympic catalytic heater to save juice, as the forced air fan takes a lot of amps out of your batteries. 6v deep cycle batteries have higher amp hour ratings than 12 volt, meaning they will supply you with more amps, and they should last somewhat longer too. IF you can keep from frequent deep discharges, then yes, you might get 7 years.
Keep in mind that as batteries discharge, sulfate builds up on the plates, and as that builds up, the batteries give off less electrons and slowly get weaker.

You are doing something wrong if you are not getting more than 5 yrs from a battery.

Most likely you do not have enough battery capacity and are drawing your battery below 20% DOD for GC batts or 80% for Marine/RV combo batteries.

GC batts are designed to handle deep, deep discharges and still give a longer life than Marine/RV combo types.

So far I am now at 6 yrs on my GC batts and I use them to power a home fridge while traveling and overnighting. They most likely will give me another 2-3 yrs.

[Gdetrailer]

WoodGlue wrote:
If you've got the bucks and want the best, get a couple of 6v AGM's.

WoodGlue

AGMs ARE not "better" in ALL cases, period.

They are a "specialty" battery which unless you NEED ONE of the "special advantages" you are simply throwing out you money.

One of the supposed advantages is you can recharge at a higher rate which allows you to use a gen for less time. This HAS been proved to be a wash, basically put AGMs might shorten your charging time by a few minutes.

Another possible advantage is can be used in any position and do not outgass which could allow for placing them INSIDE your living space. I for one however do not feel that this is a wise thing to do since AGMs like any other "storage" system which CAN store a considerable amount of energy CAN be subject to abuse which can cause catastrophic failure.

The real advantage of AGMs is allowing you to part with more money, get less capacity for the same physical size as a flooded lead acid.

[2oldman]

Jayco23FB wrote:
My reasoning was everything in my camping set up is 12 volt already so if I had a battery failure I wouldn't be reduced to 6 volts.

Even if one of your 12v fails, it'll take the other one down very quickly. It's extremely rare, except if you try to wring every last AH out of them by running them when they're old and sick.

[Jayco23FB]

I looked into changing my stock batteries last summer. I considered 6 volts as well as all the other 12 volt options. I ended up staying with the deep cycle 12 volt group 72s from Costco. My reasoning was everything in my camping set up is 12 volt already so if I had a battery failure I wouldn't be reduced to 6 volts. The other reason was the group 72 is easy to get, faily inexpensive and we have a Costco. Worked for me.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

They will not always give you "more amp-hours".

prichardson wrote:
If it were me; I would use what you have until they reach the end of their life. Then I would switch to 6V Golf Cart since they will give you more amp hours. I generally get between 6 & 7 years use from them.

[prichardson]

If it were me; I would use what you have until they reach the end of their life. Then I would switch to 6V Golf Cart since they will give you more amp hours. I generally get between 6 & 7 years use from them.

[sluggo68]

thanks everyone for all the great info and inputs.

[Bumpyroad]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi sluggo,

Are the existing batteries meeting your needs? If so keep them until they don't.

yep replacing them at 1.5 years is sort of foolish unless they have gone south. if you were closer I would swap you some old cores to turn in for the $9.00 you are getting for them.
bumpy

[outdoorlovers]

We just picked up a new FW and had them change out the battery for 2 6 volt golf cart batteries. That set up served us well on our TT so we figured why not start out the new one with the same set up. BTW, they can be purchased at COSTCO for around $75 each.

[Still_Searchin_]

I would say it is rare to get over 5 years with typical lead/acid 12v batteries.
I averaged about 4.5 - 5 years, and that was taking them off the TT during the winter and putting them on a trickle charger.
Ditto that the more deep discharges that you do, the shorter time your batteries will last.
If you are going to boondock, consider an Olympic catalytic heater to save juice, as the forced air fan takes a lot of amps out of your batteries. 6v deep cycle batteries have higher amp hour ratings than 12 volt, meaning they will supply you with more amps, and they should last somewhat longer too. IF you can keep from frequent deep discharges, then yes, you might get 7 years.
Keep in mind that as batteries discharge, sulfate builds up on the plates, and as that builds up, the batteries give off less electrons and slowly get weaker.

[sluggo68]

Thanks so much guys for all the great info. I really do appreciate it a lot.

[pianotuna]

Hi sluggo,

If the rv "lives at home with you" just do some back yard testing of the battery bank. Because of my own particular needs I prefer 12 volt jars to 6 volt units.

Here is a simple flow chart.

Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT.

Here is a link to the rather special spreadsheet that N8GS has created to help size solar battery charging systems!
Solar Spread Sheet N8GS

For a nice explanation of solar, try this link: Golden rules of solar

[WoodGlue]

sluggo68 wrote:
woodglue,
who makes them and where can I buy them?

Anywhere that sells regular batteries. A lot of people go to Costco when they have the 6volts on special. As for myself, I have the Sears Platinum AGM batteries because they have a 4 year warranty. They were about $220.00 each.

WoodGlue

[sluggo68]

woodglue,
who makes them and where can I buy them?

[WoodGlue]

Here is an explanation:

Upgrading Your TT Batteries

I like AGM's because they're no maintenance.

About Batteries - Short Video

WoodGlue