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Old 06-06-2015, 07:32 AM   #1
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12v battery

Does any 12 v battery work for the camper?
I bought a second one just in case for our trip. The guy at Napa told me any 12 v works. However, the one that came with camper has those compartments that can be taken out to refill water and this one doesn't! Would I damage anything by connecting a regular 12 v??
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Old 06-06-2015, 08:02 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Schilly View Post
Does any 12 v battery work for the camper?
I bought a second one just in case for our trip. The guy at Napa told me any 12 v works. However, the one that came with camper has those compartments that can be taken out to refill water and this one doesn't! Would I damage anything by connecting a regular 12 v??
Can you give us a little information on the battery you just bought? Mfr, Amp hours, car battery, RV/Marine.. Can you give us the same information for the battery that came with the RV? This will give us a better understanding as to what you are dealing with.

There are BASICALLY 2 types of batteries. The type that is in your car and one that is called a DEEP CYCLE battery. The ones for the car (usually rated in Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) the ones for RV's are rated in Amp Hours. Car batteries should not be used in an RV as they are designed for massive amperage for short periods of time (cranking an engine for a few minutes) where as a RV battery is designed to make the batteries power extend over a longer period of time. The other issue is that the RV's battery charge controller is designed for a DEEP CYCLE battery, and charges it accordingly. You never mix these different types of batteries.

If that battery is an automotive battery, I would recommend that you return it to the store. If you are planning on doing normal camping, hooked to shore power, a regular RV/Marine (Interstate is probably the most popular brand) battery will be fine. If you are planning on dry-camping, then you will want to go for a TRUE DEEP CYCLE battery (Trojan T105 is probably the most common). If your batteries are stored in a sealed compartment with no ventilation, then you need to purchase sealed batteries.

If you intend on permanently wiring in two batteries to give you additional Amp Hours, both batteries need to be of the SAME MFR, SAME MODEL, SAME Ah rating.

Just remember your TT's battery voltage should never drop below 12VDC, which is the 50% level. Also get yourself a volt/ohm meter to check your voltage while camping or better yet get a digital display volt meter (Amazon has a bunch that you can plug into your TT's 12VDC accessory outlet

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Old 06-06-2015, 09:10 AM   #3
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thanks
so i am not sure how to post pics here.

the one that came with the camper is and EXIDE Stowaway Deep Cycle 24MDCST 12V

The one the guy sold me is a AUTOCRAFT DEEP CYCLE Marine/RV 24DC-1, reserve capacity 140, cold cranking amps at 0F 550.

No idea hat those numbers mean but they ar both deep cycle.

thanks
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Old 06-06-2015, 09:52 AM   #4
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Usually when you see CRANKING AMPS listed it is a HYBRID DEEP CYCLE and START BATTERY. Most new trailers come with the INTERSTATE 85AH battery of the same criteria.

Unlike the START BATTERIES the true DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES can be cycled between 50% and 90% charge state many more times without doing damage to the battery.

I am running three each INTERSTATE GP24 85AH 12VDC batteries in parallel now and they have held up good since installed in 2008. I try real hard to never let them drop below their 50% charge state and always keep a smart mode charger on them...

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Old 06-06-2015, 09:58 AM   #5
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Yes -- any 12v battery will work. But as the others have mention the specifics of the battery determine how well and how long it will work. Also if you plan to attach the two batteries in parallel then it is highly recommended they are a matched pair made and put in service at the same time. This prevent a weaker battery from degrading a stronger battery. Sort like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
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Old 06-06-2015, 09:58 AM   #6
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Thanks. So but I should be okay with that extra battery since it is deep cycle right?
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Old 06-06-2015, 10:03 AM   #7
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True deep cycle batteries are the best for a trailer, and it's best that both batteries be exact twins of the same age.

It sounds like your batteries are only close cousins, but I think they will be fine. Keep them watered, charged, and correctly connected.
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Old 06-06-2015, 11:15 AM   #8
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When your two batteries finally give up, consider buying two 6 volt golf cart batteries. They are deep cycle and will have a larger reserve of power than two 12 volts. The two 6 volt are wired in series to provide 12 volts.

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Old 06-08-2015, 02:08 PM   #9
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Thanks for your inputs
We just got back and the camper battery lasted 2 days no problems.
What would be the absolute best kind of battery to get for my camper? Best quality, last longest, ?
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