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Old 02-10-2016, 08:03 PM   #1
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Best Value True Deep Cycle 12V Battery

Hi All:
My dealer equipped my trailer with a marine-type deep cycle battery which I ruined by completely discharging it a few times (I am new to RVing!). I do not want to make the same mistake again, and would like to modestly upgrade my boondocking capacity for overnight stays at Walmart.

Does anyone have suggestions for *economical* true deep cycle 12V batteries? I do not need more than a full day's capacity for the water pump and furnace. I do not want to go the 6V in series route because of the added tongue weight. A single true 12V deep cycle that I could occasionally discharge below 50% would be ideal.

I am going to install a low voltage disconnect and manual cutoff switch, so I am hoping to get a few years out of the next battery.
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Old 02-10-2016, 09:38 PM   #2
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might want to check on a Optima yellow top battery. Little costly but works good. Had one in my Jeep and never had a problem.
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Old 02-10-2016, 09:49 PM   #3
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Trojan Battery has several deep cycle 12 v batteries depending on how much capacity you want.

24TMX 1.13 kWh 47 lbs
27TMH 1.54 kWh 61 lbs
31XHS 1.73 kWh 67 lbs
T-1260 1.86 kWh 78 lbs
T-1275 1.99 kWh 82 lbs

As your TT probably came with a BCI Group Size 24 battery you will need a larger battery box for all but the 24 TMX battery. As you can see from the above list the capacity of a lead acid battery is directly proportional to the weight.
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Old 02-10-2016, 10:23 PM   #4
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Thanks for the info, I did not realize that Trojan made 12v deep cycles. My understanding is that traditional flooded cell deep cycles should not be discharged below 50% and AGM deep cycles can be discharged to 80%.

Trojan makes 12 AGM deep cycles, should I consider them? If I do a comparison, the AGMs are relatively cost effective given an 80% discharge versus 50% for flooded.

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Originally Posted by ODH View Post
Trojan Battery has several deep cycle 12 v batteries depending on how much capacity you want.

24TMX 1.13 kWh 47 lbs
27TMH 1.54 kWh 61 lbs
31XHS 1.73 kWh 67 lbs
T-1260 1.86 kWh 78 lbs
T-1275 1.99 kWh 82 lbs

As your TT probably came with a BCI Group Size 24 battery you will need a larger battery box for all but the 24 TMX battery. As you can see from the above list the capacity of a lead acid battery is directly proportional to the weight.
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Old 02-10-2016, 10:51 PM   #5
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The AGM batteries have a lower energy storage capacity (kWh) than the lead acid batteries for the same BCI size. Therefore you only get about 20% more energy out of them at the 80% discharge point. AGM batteries have other characteristics that may or may not be important to you, but for the same size they will cost more.
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Old 02-11-2016, 12:55 AM   #6
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I have a group 31 AGM battery on my TT now but still have the group 24. I was also given two brand new 6 volt golf cart batteries that I transport in my truck and hook up if I am dry camping more than a few days. AGN batteries cost more but require less maintenance.
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Old 02-11-2016, 12:03 PM   #7
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Thanks for the info, I did not realize that Trojan made 12v deep cycles. My understanding is that traditional flooded cell deep cycles should not be discharged below 50% and AGM deep cycles can be discharged to 80%.
Here is the Trojan AGM Life Cycle Chart and why you do not want to take an AGM to 80%

Don
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BATTERY - AGM Life Cycle Chart Graph.jpg  
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Old 02-12-2016, 10:48 AM   #8
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I've had very good service from Interstate G24 batteries. Never had one fail.
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Old 02-12-2016, 04:16 PM   #9
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trojan and optima are not what I would call economical... heard lots of good about interstate deep cycle and Costco for the price.
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Old 02-12-2016, 06:20 PM   #10
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I have a pair of Interstate 6V Deep Cycle batteries going on 5 years old, preformed great......., about 60% boondocking.

Bob
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Old 02-12-2016, 07:31 PM   #11
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I am looking at Interstate and US Battery now, their prices are alot better than Trojan and noone seems to have bad experiences with them.

I am going to buy a single 12V deep cycle though, I do very little boondocking, but when I do I need a little better than a marine deep cycle.

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I have a pair of Interstate 6V Deep Cycle batteries going on 5 years old, preformed great......., about 60% boondocking.

Bob
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Old 02-13-2016, 10:08 AM   #12
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I am looking at Interstate and US Battery now, their prices are alot better than Trojan and noone seems to have bad experiences with them.

I am going to buy a single 12V deep cycle though, I do very little boondocking, but when I do I need a little better than a marine deep cycle.
US Battery is one of the top rated batteries around. I went with Trojan only because I was pressed for time before leaving for our trip out west and they had the Trojan batteries in stock.

Here is a little information I collected while researching batteries... it is an older 12VDC battery list, but should be pretty much the same. The test was done by an independent testing company, but I did not do much research into the test.

Don
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Battery Test Trojan vs USBattery.jpg   BATTERY -  US Battery 12VDC List.jpg  
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Old 02-13-2016, 02:06 PM   #13
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A lot of "deep cycle" batteries aren't really. They just slap a "deep cycle"/"marine" label on them, change the warranty a little and raise the price. If you want true deep cycle capability be sure to research what you're really buying. I don't think you can accurately use the words deep cycle and economical (cheap) in the same sentence.


Also, deep cycle does not mean it will power your TT for a longer period. That's defined by amp hours. Deep cycle means the battery is constructed in such a way as minimize damage from plate warpage and separation during the charge/discharge cycle.
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Old 02-13-2016, 06:14 PM   #14
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I am definitely going with a US Battery 12V deep cycle, the group 31 US 31DC XC2 seems like the best battery that will fit in the standard Jay Flight rails.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65 View Post
US Battery is one of the top rated batteries around. I went with Trojan only because I was pressed for time before leaving for our trip out west and they had the Trojan batteries in stock.

Here is a little information I collected while researching batteries... it is an older 12VDC battery list, but should be pretty much the same. The test was done by an independent testing company, but I did not do much research into the test.

Don
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Old 02-13-2016, 09:36 PM   #15
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I agree from other on here. from your description of use, get an Interstate 12V Marine/deep cycle battery. A size 27 or 31 are a bit longer, and would probably last a weekend walmart trip.

you will increase your capacity from 80 amps for your original battery to 90 amps for a grp 27, to 125amps for a grp 31

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Old 02-22-2016, 04:58 PM   #16
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If you have some time on your hands do some reading on how to effectively charge your battery and you will get extra capacity and longer life out of a battery.

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

A battery monitor will tell you a lot and if you are getting efficient use or a full charge on your current battery. Well worth the cost.

Economical in the long run is often more expensive short term.
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Old 02-23-2016, 01:34 PM   #17
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If you have some time on your hands do some reading on how to effectively charge your battery and you will get extra capacity and longer life out of a battery.

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

A battery monitor will tell you a lot and if you are getting efficient use or a full charge on your current battery. Well worth the cost.

Economical in the long run is often more expensive short term.
Thanks Subaru for the URL link. Interesting blog. Just out of curiosity, what battery monitor do you use?
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Old 02-23-2016, 07:07 PM   #18
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Interstate at Costco $72.00ea gp24 or gp27
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Old 02-24-2016, 07:26 AM   #19
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Thanks Subaru for the URL link. Interesting blog. Just out of curiosity, what battery monitor do you use?
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Old 02-24-2016, 12:50 PM   #20
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might want to check on a Optima yellow top battery. Little costly but works good. Had one in my Jeep and never had a problem.
I had one for 8 years in my vette before getting another one. check e bay & Amz for discounted prices. I had my vette for almost 12 years & I am on my 2nd battery, this is in hot Florida where a/c use is almost daily. When car sits in garage for extended periods it will hold a charge longer than any other battery I ever had in my life. I use a trickle charger when car sits & that keeps in ready.
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