battery

moonraker · 05-02-2010, 05:01 AM

what is the best battery for rv use

OurJayco · 05-02-2010, 05:52 AM

It really depends on what you intend to do. Are you dry camping a lot?
Are you at a seasonal site?
Interstate battery is what I got woth my Jayco. Any deep cycle Marine battery will do the trick if you are dry camping.

McMonk · 05-03-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OurJayco

It really depends on what you intend to do. Are you dry camping a lot?
Are you at a seasonal site?
Interstate battery is what I got woth my Jayco. Any deep cycle Marine battery will do the trick if you are dry camping.

Agreed - and you get what you pay for, for the most part. Because I'm cheap, we generally dry-camp. A decent battery, with conservative use, has lasted us up to 10 days without charging...wish I could remember the brand though.....

kipper · 05-03-2010, 07:49 PM

I have always liked interstate , But have had good luck with walmart also ,
Kipper

Bob Landry · 05-08-2010, 08:14 PM

I just picked up my trailer today and I'm not sure what brand battery came with it, probably interstate. I nave two almost new Delco voyegers that I had in my conversion van. I'm going to build a box and run those two on my trailer

RR Conductor · 05-12-2010, 07:06 AM

A bit late chiming in but… I agree, Interstate batteries seem to do the job, I’ve used them for years. Of course if you want to convert to two golf cart batteries (they’re heavier and a bit larger) coupled in series, I think that’s right, you’ll find your battery life will be longer, especially if you do a lot of dry camping, i.e. camping in the National Parks, etc.

McMonk · 05-24-2010, 08:16 PM

I'm surprised...I've never had a battery run low on me before after only 3 very conservative days of use. We just had a long-weekend of dry-camping and were really conscious of keeping lights, radio, pumps etc. off when not needed, but had to 'recharge' the battery using the TV. Our old TT would last well over a week without concern for the battery dying. Either the new Jayco has a huge amount of phantom electrical drains or the stock battery just won't cut it. Do I need to consider a dual-battery system, solar trickle charge or just a better battery??? I feel like I'm eating a bit of crow here!!

JPBeck · 05-25-2010, 08:24 AM

Maybe all three--
We use two 6-volt golf cart batteries from Costco and have a Inteli-Power Inverter with Charge Wizard (http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_d...zard_9105.html) to maintain the batteries. So far the batteries have lasted 3 years.
When the batteries drop off too low I crank up the Honda EU2000. I haven't gone the solar route yet as I haven't decided if it's worth it or not. Cranking up the genny is easy and it's quiet enough.

JPBeck · 05-25-2010, 08:31 AM

Also -- it's important to keep track of your batteries and not let them drop below 11.9 volts (IMHO).
Here is a great site that explains all about RV batteries and their systems.
This is the BEST battery info site I've ever found...
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

Texas Sam · 05-25-2010, 11:53 AM

McMonk,

The single biggest drain on our battery has been the TV antennae booster. If you leave the booster on when you are not watching TV it can drain your battery in as little as two days.

McMonk · 05-28-2010, 05:39 AM

Makes sense .... all of it! I didn't realise the antennae booster would take that much power. Ours is located right beside the 12v plug we used to recharge the cell-phone. When I plugged the phone in I did notice the booster was lit-up and ran most of the first day we were out. Ah, well....the things we learn as we go!

RR Conductor · 05-28-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Sam

McMonk,

The single biggest drain on our battery has been the TV antennae booster. If you leave the booster on when you are not watching TV it can drain your battery in as little as two days.

Texas Sam is right, many a RV'er has been faced with low batteries and the cause was the TV antenna booster being left on when the TV was off. Do this for two or three days when dry camping and "bingo", low batteries.

Denise · 05-28-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR Conductor

Texas Sam is right, many a RV'er has been faced with low batteries and the cause was the TV antenna booster being left on when the TV was off. Do this for two or three days when dry camping and "bingo", low batteries.

*One hand held high and the other hand pointing to myself* Yup, we did that once, and finally figured out that we didn't turn it off. It is now on our check-off list for when we break-down camp

You may also like: