Battery for travel trailer

[Kim473]

Which is better ?
2x 12 volt or 2x 6 volt.
Why ?

[brewster29]

Two 6 volt deep cycle batteries in series. They will provide about 50% more amp hours than two 12v batteries in parallel. They will also last at least ten years if maintained properly. This is due to their much heavier duty construction- since there are only three cells there is room to make the plates and connections thicker and there's more electrolyte space. 12v deep cycle batteries in my experience don't last more than a few years.

Top off your new system with a 100+ watt solar panel for pretty much unlimited camping time, providing your aren't trying to run your microwave and blow dryer on an inverter.

[StiksnStrings]

After going through a couple of sets of 12v batteries I went with two 6v's. They have lasted longer than all the 12v's combined.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Dual 6V has served me well.

Same reasons Brewster mentioned.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by brewster29

Two 6 volt deep cycle batteries in series. They will provide about 50% more amp hours than two 12v batteries in parallel. They will also last at least ten years if maintained properly. This is due to their much heavier duty construction- since there are only three cells there is room to make the plates and connections thicker and there's more electrolyte space. 12v deep cycle batteries in my experience don't last more than a few years.

Top off your new system with a 100+ watt solar panel for pretty much unlimited camping time, providing your aren't trying to run your microwave and blow dryer on an inverter.

Yup Not sure if the new Fe batteries are worth the few extra hundreds of dollars? If your full time then yes otherwise stick with regular lead batteries or OEM? lots of info on utube if you search abit.

[Big Grey Wolf]

The advantage of staying with 12V and when you drive Dodge Diesel with 2 batteries you now have total of 4 possible batteries to use at camp ground.
PS be sure to keep at least one partially charged to start truck to get home.

[fordtruckin]

Started out with 2 12s when I got my camper. They lasted about 4 years. Swapped to 2 6s and took better care of them. I’ve got about 5 years on the 6s and while still working well they are bulging which escapes me as I pull the batteries every fall and store them fully charged inside. Unfortunately don’t get as much time to go out as I’d like. 6s are the way to go due to the greater reserve capacity!

[Big Grey Wolf]

Ford only problem with 6's is you do not have wide selection at Walmart or Canadian Tire. I even use 12V in my 75 year old ford tractor designed for 6V. It sure spins that old starter and fires up that 9N, it wont quit.

[Sooner]

I think it depends on what you do in the trailer or how long you plan to be out.

We are never inside except for some odd cooking(do most suppers outside over the fire) and sleeping. If it aint raining bad, were outside under a tarp by the fire or taking a snooze. If it is pouring, we may be inside playing card or board games. We have never been a sit in the trailer for movie time etc camper.


So I bought the best 12V RV battery Napa sells and it has been good. Bought LED bulbs online last spring and wow, even better now. Mine is an 84 so the furnace fan is the biggest draw but realistically, only in May and from Sept on do we turn that on. It lasts all long weekend in sept and early Oct running all night. But we don't keep it toasty warm either. I do keep it charged up after a couple weekend trips and ready for the next.

2 Good quality 12V batteries and LED lights will give you some good run time imo and be a bit cheaper on the wallet.

[Kim473]

Thanks for the info.
I bought 2 x 6 volt. 448 reserve and 230 amp hrs.
Is that a good choice ??

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by Kim473

Thanks for the info.
I bought 2 x 6 volt. 448 reserve and 230 amp hrs.
Is that a good choice ??

^Yep, that sounds like a great starting point. Now find a portable solar panle to chase the sunshine and you're all set.

Our trailer was spec'd with a single 12V, but we had the dealership install 2x6V and mounted a 100W solar on top with a controller. 10 years later and I replaced the original 6V with another 2-6V from Costco. I expect to get another 10 years from these two.....

Bring them out of the trailer every fall and into the basement for the winter. Charge them up once over the course of the winter then back into the trailer in the spring. Never have to worry about them.

We don't use a lot of electricity either, but the controller always reads fully charged throughout the summer months. Can run a furnace whenever needed (never do though) and the solar panel always catches up the next day. Have a genny in case, but have rarely fired it up. Changing over to LED was the biggest upgrade as far as power consumption goes.

J.

[curtz]

Originally Posted by Kim473

Thanks for the info.
I bought 2 x 6 volt. 448 reserve and 230 amp hrs.
Is that a good choice ??

6's are a good choice, I run four 6's with a 200 watt panel. Only need the the genny for the keurig in the morning and if it's just the wife and I, we have a movie with the fireplace in the evening. Ruffing it, lol.

[Cageyc]

Check the RCA’s. Reserve capacity amps. With 2 6’s you double the amps.

[barbless]

I'm taking out my 12v and putting in 2 6v in my 26ft Four Winds. I don't do a lot of off grid but if I do I want longer power. I also have a 2000 Yamaha Portable Genny. The 12v will now go in my boat for backup