Six-volt battery installation

[jal0710]

My 7 year-old batteries are, probably, on their last legs and I am looking at replacing with two six-volt batteries. We have a 2012 Jayco HT 26.5 RLS and the batteries are original. We keep them plugged in whenever we don't camp and I, almost, always check the water before using the trailer. My question is, do I have to replace the converter when putting in the six-volts or is the one in the trailer sufficient to charge the batteries? I am not interested in going solar, just in replacing the OEM batteries. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mustang65]

I guess my first question is do you dry camp?
Do you just use the batteries overnight between CG's?

If you just camp going from CG to CG that have shore power, and do not have plans of dry-camping, why not just stick with two inexpensive 12Volt batteries?

If you do dry-camp, then you will not have any issues with the battery charge controller that came in your 2012 TT and (2) 6 volt batteries.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Subaru297]

If the factory installed battery served you well for seven years I would say you are doing something right in taking care of them and would probably recommend you just replace them with something similar.

But if you are wanting the 6v batteries for extra capacity while not hooked to shore power then they should serve you well too. Your converter will be adequate for the new batteries but you should check what voltages your new batteries like to be charged at (bulk, absorption and float) to get the full performance and life out of them. That may require a new, programmable converter but the gains you will likely see from that would probably be small.

As Mustang asked are you planning more off grid excursions? How many days are you without a plug in typically? Do you have a generator to supplement charging if needed?

Cheers

[glamisbound]

To answer your question directly, no. Many of us on here have converted to 2 6volts without issue.

[jal0710]

I neglected to mention that we do camp without power most of the time. Usually for up to seven days at a time. We do have generators that we have been using to charge the batteries when they get low. We will be going out in about two weeks and see how these hold up this time around. With temps down in the 40's during the night, we'll get to see how they hold up. Thanks so much for your replies.,