Need new battery

mustang · 03-13-2012, 11:31 AM

writing to all you RV experts...
we need to replace our battery when we purchased the dealer sold the unit with automobile battery and we being first timers didn't even know any better. Anyway it now needs replaced. We have a hybrid and are looking at the best choice for batteries. Are there better brands or types? So far we have mostly camped in RV parks with a few nights of boondocking.
Thanks!

Quahog · 03-13-2012, 12:15 PM

There are many good brands out there. Look for a DEEP CYCLE battery and since you are going for a single battery (I presume), try to get a GRP 24 or 27. The more amp hours (AH), the better. You can get some decent deals at Sam's Club, Costco, etc.

Terry · 03-13-2012, 01:20 PM

If you spend a lot of time boondocking, then look at a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries....they will give you good performance. If you just do a night here and there then most any deep cycle will do.

David472 · 03-13-2012, 03:35 PM

Regarding what brand to consider, I have an Interstate brand. I considered an Exide brand, but in my area the Interstate was easier to obtain. Price was comparable between the two brands. Exide is a larger company and has more choices for type of battery, even within the deep cycle category. Many are happy with any brand, quite a few out there.

Seann45 · 03-14-2012, 09:36 AM

I agree that a pair of 6's wired +to- will give you the best life and performance BUT if you never boondock it is over kill...DO NOT buy any battery that has a CCA rating on it the plates are too thin..

3'senough · 03-14-2012, 09:53 AM

Agree with above statements. No CCA's and if you don't go off the grid much more than a night or 2 then a "real" 12V deep cycle will do. Check in boating supply or local RV dealer for a real deep cycle.

Just beacuse it says deep cycle does not mean it is, as most are hybrids that have CCA ratings to start engines. Check the specs with the AH ratings before purchasing. The higher the number the better the battery and the thicker the plates.

mustang · 03-15-2012, 06:33 AM

Thanks so much!

Albertaguy · 03-15-2012, 07:45 AM

I had to replace my 12 volt battery while in Yuma in January and found a deep cell Grp 27 at Walmart for 68 bucks. I did think about a couple of golf cart batteries but they would not fit in my battery box.

Crackshot · 03-15-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albertaguy

I had to replace my 12 volt battery while in Yuma in January and found a deep cell Grp 27 at Walmart for 68 bucks.

I had to replace mine too last season. Went with the Wal-Mart route.
It is a deep cycle RV / Marine battery and seems pretty good.

You only get about 3 seasons out of them before you have to replace them.

mustang · 03-15-2012, 08:53 AM

do most batteries only get 3 seasons out of them or is this 3 seasons
with a walmart battery?

Seann45 · 03-15-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang

do most batteries only get 3 seasons out of them or is this 3 seasons
with a walmart battery?

How long they live depends on how well you care for them... keeping the plates covered in DISTILLED water (if you have flooded style batteries) adds greatly to their life.. as does an antil sulfation charger.. I talk about flooded style because that is what I have... you need to overcharge the batteries on occasion to thoroughly mix the acid up in them...other wise it will go into layers with the strongest at the bottom and weakest at the top.

Crackshot · 03-15-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang

do most batteries only get 3 seasons out of them or is this 3 seasons
with a walmart battery?

I just got my battery in the middle of last season so we will see.
If you keep your camper plugged into shore power a lot, you want to make sure you keep it topped off with distilled water (like the other members have been suggesting) every month because it will boil off.

The stock battery that came with mine was made by "Sterling".
Not familiar with those but sure it is a fleet brand.

3'senough · 03-15-2012, 10:23 AM

Agree with Seann. Life depends on cycles, maintenance and the type of charger you have as well. Thinner plate batteries just can't take as many cycles as the larger plate batteries thus leading to shorter life spans.

I have a set of GC-2 6V Energizer's which I obtained from Sam's (WM) for $75.00 each and I am going on my third season with them. I dry camp a lot and run them down several times a trip with an inverter and my 12V applications. I also have a 3 stage charger and leave them plugged in year round with monthy checks and fills on water levels. So it's not so much where you get them but the other variables which play a significant part in life expectancy.

Albertaguy · 03-15-2012, 05:17 PM

When I left Yuma on the 1st of March, I winterized my unit and when I got home I took it back to the farm where I store it and took my battery out and have it attached to a battery tender on the workbench in my garage. The only thing I must do is remember to check my fluid levels as that is probably what happened to my old one, but I did find that it was a reconditioned battery that they installed at the dealer which did not make me happy.

TuSocks · 03-26-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafische

If you spend a lot of time boondocking, then look at a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries....they will give you good performance. If you just do a night here and there then most any deep cycle will do.

Terry-
I am trying to find a vented battery box for either a single, or perferably 2, 6v golf cart batteries that will fit in my battery compartment in our soon to be delivered 5th wheel. Any suggestions on where to find such a battery box &/or how one could be made. Thanks for your help.
Mark

Quahog · 03-27-2012, 05:26 AM

Welcome to the JOF, TuSocks. What are the dimensions on your battery compartment?

3'senough · 03-27-2012, 07:10 AM

Depending on your model 5'er will determine the box or tie down you can use. Post your model and maybe we can help determine it for you as current owners can share their specs with you.

I can tell you that in mine 2 x 6V fit but not with boxes. There never were boxes just trays with tie downs either.

Welcome to the forum.

mustang · 03-27-2012, 11:45 AM

Thanks everyone!
Do most of you keep your battery plugged into shore power at all times when not in use?

**norty1** · 03-27-2012, 12:21 PM

Yes, 30a outlet and water in yard where it is parked.

TuSocks · 03-28-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

Welcome to the JOF, TuSocks. What are the dimensions on your battery compartment?

Thanks for your quick response & offer to help!

My compartment TRAY measures 24"L x 20"H x 10.5"W. My 5th wheel comes equipped with a group 24 12v deep cycle enclosed in a sealed battery box that is vented to the outside via a 3" diameter hose. This box is too small for any 6v. I have searched everywhere on the internet to find a sealed box that I can vent to the outside via a similar type hose. I just don't want to have the 6v batteries (I hope to mount one on each side of the fiver which has the same size battery box as listed above on each side in the front) without them being vented to the outside.
Mark

You may also like: