Battery choices for the 'bird?

[Paulo19]

The dealer installed a Size 24 deep-cycle unsealed lead-acid in my new 16FD. The Jayco manual says to use Size 27 minimum and I would like to upgrade to an AGM of at least 80Ah. What are you experts using - looking for 2-3 days boondocking capability without adding a lot of extra weight. Thanks.

[oldmanAZ]

I'm not one of the 12v experts, but they will ask you questions about how much 12v power you plan to use when boondocking and if you plan to use a generator and/or solar.

I have 2, group 24 batteries (automotive/marine type 'deep cycle') and when fully charged, they will last us 2-3 days when using only the trailer's LED interior lighting and the trailer's water pump. BUT depending how much the ventilation fans or the propane furnace runs, those 2 batteries will only last a day or two.

Then again using my generator in the morning and at night, those same 2 batteries were fine while boondocking for 5 months.

[glhalcomb]

I also have a size 24 battery. But I use a ~100W portable solar panel:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've camped on battery alone for weeks, even using the furnace occasionally, and it has kept the battery topped off. I like this one because it's plug-n-play, folds down to nothing, and weighs only 6 lbs.

Unfortunately, it's gotten a good deal more expensive since i bought mine

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Paulo19

The dealer installed a Size 24 deep-cycle unsealed lead-acid in my new 16FD. The Jayco manual says to use Size 27 minimum and I would like to upgrade to an AGM of at least 80Ah. What are you experts using - looking for 2-3 days boondocking capability without adding a lot of extra weight. Thanks.

Is there a reason as to why you want to go with an AGM ($$$) over a regular Flooded battery? 80Ah is not much at all as you can only use 40 of the 80 Ah.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[jimp]

If it is a recent purchase, see if the dealer will "trade" with you for a 27, or maybe buy it back, then go buy what you want or feel you need.

[Bassdogs]

The battery [and propane tanks] is a dealer added customer service item. You might try showing them that they did not install the recommended size 27 battery and see if they will swap it out. Otherwise the 24 has approximately 20% less storage capacity. Wish I could understand the emotion against the standard flooded battery.

[jimp]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

The battery [and propane tanks] is a dealer added customer service item. You might try showing them that they did not install the recommended size 27 battery and see if they will swap it out. Otherwise the 24 has approximately 20% less storage capacity. Wish I could understand the emotion against the standard flooded battery.

AGM batteries doe not require adding water, so one less thing to do. The cost of AGM's prevent me from using them. A gallon of distilled water is $1.25 with tax, and it takes me an hour to check/fill the 4 batteries in my boat and one in the TT.

[Paulo19]

Originally Posted by glhalcomb

I also have a size 24 battery. But I use a ~100W portable solar panel:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've camped on battery alone for weeks, even using the furnace occasionally, and it has kept the battery topped off. I like this one because it's plug-n-play, folds down to nothing, and weighs only 6 lbs.

Unfortunately, it's gotten a good deal more expensive since i bought mine

Thanks for advice. I just spent 3 more nights in Rocky (MNP) - saw rain, snow and low temps but got through 3 cold nights without running the battery below 12.0 V. I am using a Dokio 200W portable solar panel and their 12V PWM charge controller

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
which did pretty well. I think it's a bargain for $239 and it charged between 1 and 10 amps most of the time, even when cloudy. I had to use a Buddy propane heater in the evenings to be comfortable. I think the furnace blower had been my main problem on previous trip. I would like to have more amp-hours of battery to run inverter for TV and computer sometimes.

[Paulo19]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Is there a reason as to why you want to go with an AGM ($$$) over a regular Flooded battery? 80Ah is not much at all as you can only use 40 of the 80 Ah.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Thanks, Don. Agree on the cost of AGM being not justifiable now. I might just go with dual DC lead-acid and put up with the extra weight. Most of my camping is in cold, high places and I use a lot of computer time doing Photoshop work. Buddy heater helped on my last trip.

Paul