What Kind of Battery for 184BH

[silverta16]

My new to me 2012 184 BH came without a battery. What type/kind do I need? I've read a lot about dual purpose vs. deep cycle and 12 volt vs. 6 volt. I am buying a 12 volt TV and really don't boondock for longer than 1 night. My power usage is minimal.

[bdreinv]

6 volt golf car Wall Mart been doing that deal since 2006. No issues in Phoenix we only rent batteries. Mine very seldom make it 3 years!

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by silverta16

My new to me 2012 184 BH came without a battery. What type/kind do I need? I've read a lot about dual purpose vs. deep cycle and 12 volt vs. 6 volt. I am buying a 12 volt TV and really don't boondock for longer than 1 night. My power usage is minimal.

Do you need heat on those nights without a hookup?
Do you have LED's?

Don
My Registry

[URL="https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/groups/44-rving+with+solar.html"]RVing with SOLAR [/URL

[silverta16]

Mainly I travel instead of camp. Drive all day, hit a Walmart parking lot for an overnight stay. I do have a furnace. I also have a little buddy from my previous camper. I know furnaces eat power and I'm not sure it would last through a whole night. Don't have LED's currently. My truck does charge the battery when I drive.

[ttavasc]

This is similar to how we use our 195RB. We usually spend a night or two in a rest area along the way. A couple seasons ago we just added a second Group 24 RV/Marine battery so we could run our 12v fans overnight to help stay cool without worrying about running the battery down. If it's too hot then the generator is running so we can use the A/C. On occasion we have also needed the furnace and have not had any issues with low battery as a result of running that overnight either.

I think the 184BH has a similar sized tongue configuration so you could probably do the same.

[Jagiven]

You would probably be just fine with a Group 27 true deep cycle. For one night with the furnace on, and a few hours with a TV and LED lights.

The furnace fan will really consume a lot of power. I would also seriously switch out to LED lights. I figured all of our LED lights consumed the same amount as one of the old incandescent bulbs.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

You would probably be just fine with a Group 27 true deep cycle. For one night with the furnace on, and a few hours with a TV and LED lights.

The furnace fan will really consume a lot of power. I would also seriously switch out to LED lights. I figured all of our LED lights consumed the same amount as one of the old incandescent bulbs.

I would agree with this. I was side-tracked after initially reading the post and neglected the part about there being NO battery. A single Group 27 true deep cycle would certainly work fine in this scenario. Also agree with switching to the LED lights where possible. Wouldn't have to do all of them, just the ones you use most frequently to begin with.

[silverta16]

Ok went looking at batteries. Locally Walmart has 2 deep cycles that are group 24. The first one says it has a deep discharge feature, it's 660 CCA and 105 amp hours, it's $74. The next battery is a 1000 CCA and 135 amp hours and it's cheaper at $69, it doesn't say it has a deep discharge feature. Now I know I really don't need cranking amps for a camper, and it's my understanding this is what you call a dual purpose marine/rv battery, but would you buy the bigger battery based on the fact that it has more amp hours? What is the deep discharge?

Or should I go to my local boat store and find a true deep cycle only that isn't rated with cranking amps. My local boat guy had group 27's Interstate brand that were true deep cycles, just means I'd have to change my battery box as mine is for a group 24.


And later if I added a 2nd battery how do you wire 2 12 volts together?

[jimp]

Go to another wally world store and get a 27 or 29 size deep cycle battery with a recent/current manufacture date (sticker on the top of case). The dual purpose batteries can be used either as a cranking battery or a deep cycle but you don't need the cranking power amps. The dual purpose battery will not last as long as the deep cycle battery if you regularly "drain" the battery overnight while traveling. The deep cycle battery means it was designed to be drained from use and will charge back up for a respectable length of time.

I use WM size 27 deep cycle batteries in my boat for the trolling motor, they are 3 yrs old, and hold a charge for all day fishing trips. Just charge them up asap after use for best service life.

[Nicarra]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

This is similar to how we use our 195RB. We usually spend a night or two in a rest area along the way. A couple seasons ago we just added a second Group 24 RV/Marine battery so we could run our 12v fans overnight to help stay cool without worrying about running the battery down. If it's too hot then the generator is running so we can use the A/C. On occasion we have also needed the furnace and have not had any issues with low battery as a result of running that overnight either.

I think the 184BH has a similar sized tongue configuration so you could probably do the same.

We just got a Jayco 195RB Baja and the manual says group 27 for the battery. I see you are using a group 24. Does it really matter what group we buy? We want 2 6volt instead of 12.

[SkyBound]

I see you're in Calgary. Check out Battery World. I bought my Trojan T-105s there years ago when I was out there and they have been great.

Also you're going to want to upgrade your converter in the trailer to take proper care of those batteries.

[silverta16]

My understanding is a group 24 is smaller in size than a group 27. Lets say 10 inches long compared to 13. I'd use the group 27 but it would mean I'd have to buy a new battery box, which I may end up doing.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Nicarra

We just got a Jayco 195RB Baja and the manual says group 27 for the battery. I see you are using a group 24. Does it really matter what group we buy? We want 2 6volt instead of 12.

Our 195RB Baja came stock with a single dual purpose Group 24 battery with 85ah capacity - ~42ah usable. Since we don't use the camper for extended periods of time without a hook-up we opted to simply add a second Group 24 battery to ensure we didn't run short when traveling longer distances where we tend to overnight in rest areas along the way. That doubled our capacity to ~85ah usable which is plenty to run our 12v fans and led lights when on the road. If it's hot enough to require the A/C we carry a generator in the bed of the truck.

There are numerous threads regarding switching to 6v batteries you can search for. Bear in mind that while you typically will get more capacity one of the trade-offs is increased weight. Each T-105 6v is ~62lbs while a dual purpose Group 24 is ~42. That's just over 80lbs more on the tongue compared to a single Group 24.

If you spend a lot of time without hook-ups then the 6v setup is worth switching to. However, since small trailers like the 195RB have limited cargo capacity to begin with (mine was 735lbs per the yellow sticker) you don't have a lot of room to play with. Make sure and keep track of your estimated weights and then run the whole set up over a CAT scale to verify. We tend to pack fairly conservatively, only carry about 8-10 gallons of fresh water plus full hot water tank and end up approaching 3700lbs loaded, just under the GVWR of 3750.

[bdreinv]

In my Jayco manual states they come with group 27!Not mine came with a 24, most must not notice.Lets say dealer saves 20 bucks each/ times one hundred units that 2000 grand!Its all about money in the dealer pocket.And Jayco could care less!

[RogerR]

My dealer wanted to unload a 24 or me but I had bought my own 27 at Farm and Fleet where I got a much better warranty.

I have single night dry camped on several occasions but never in really cold weather. Never had a low battery in the morning each time.

If single night is your need a 27 should be enough.

[ALJO]

Sample: When it is below 50 F/ 10 C and Furnace set at 55 F for the night, 2 group 27's hardly keep up the demand of the furnace. Then I use a combo of 3 group 27 and be sure they are fully charged before going into the night. The furnace fan motor loves battery juice.....

[GarlicDude]

What are the differences between AEG, Gel, and lead acid? I'm sure there are trade offs.

[silverta16]

Picked up a group 27 Interstate True deep cycle for $112 from my local boat store. The had new atwood battery boxes for $10 so all is good now. Thanks for the help.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by GarlicDude

What are the differences between AEG, Gel, and lead acid? I'm sure there are trade offs.

Gel batteries have gel added to the electrolyte in the battery. AGM batteries have a glass mat that absorbs the electrolyte. Lead acid batteries are just regular car batteries. I prefer AGM batteries. AGM batteries are supposedly spill proof and are pretty versatile as far as mounting. Glass mat batteries drain slower (last longer) I believe.