What batteries fit properly?

[GeekyGuy]

New to me '22 29MV owner here.

Need to get new batteries, I currently have 2 x Group 24.

I don't need Lithiums, too expensive still for me, would be happy with 2 GC2 6v, but do. Not fit, too high. Thinking AGM, would 2 x Group 31 fit?

TIA

 

[SmokeyBear-JAY]

If your current batteries fit, why not replace them with the same?

 

[GeekyGuy]

Not enough Amp-Hours. Need a tad more power, Group 24 are the pits. Trying to get the max without going to Lithiums.

 

[CAG-JAY]

Not enough Amp-Hours. Need a tad more power, Group 24 are the pits. Trying to get the max without going to Lithiums.

Get the tape measure out and check the space you have and then the size of the batteries you want to put in.

The best bet is 2-6 Volt golf cart batteries but they are larger so you will need to do some measuring. Someone may have a suggestion but doing your own fitting is best.

 

[youracman]

Got a tape measure handy? Here are some dimensions. Copied from https://www.batteryequivalents.com/

 Group 24: 10.25 x 6.8125 x 8.875 inches, 260 x 173 x 225 mm,
 Group 27: 12.0625 x 6.8125 x 8.875 inches, 306 x 173 x 225 mm,
 Group 29: 13 x 5.5 x 8.9375 inches, 330 x 140 x 227 mm,
 Group 31: 13 x 6.8 x 9.44 inches, 330 x 173 x 240 mm.
Because of different dimensions, group 31 batteries are the heaviest but also feature, on average, the largest capacity, the longest RC, and better other discharge features.

Google is your friend, BTW. Good luck on the swap and safe travels to ya.

 

[GeekyGuy]

I was just asking the collective to see if anyone would chime in and say he had installed some Group 31 batteries. I'm coming from a the pulled trailer world and have been on 6V batteries for decades. But the height will be an issue with 6V.

 

[doghauler]

I used this battery,
https://www.vmaxtanks.com/SLR200-AGM...ry-_p_157.html
It is a VMAX 200 ah AGM and it also fits very nicely under the steps of my 2022 29MV. It is a nice upgrade to the 2 original batteries without the complications of going to lithium iron phosphate.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for.

������

 

[RogerR]

Back to lithium. 2 6 volt gc2s at Sams club $115 each.

Why not get a single lithium like the Litime for 239 on Amazon. I have a Renogy, which is more expensive but comes with Bluetooth which gives me real time state of charge, etc.

Both give you a true 100 amps of available power, very long lifetime, No Water Needed!, lightweight, etc.

Personally, never going back to a lead acid battery after camping several times with no problems and no maintenance!

 

[GeekyGuy]

The GC2s will not fit, I know that you are much. I'm in Canada and Lithiums are still crazy expensive.

I may do that when in the US, worth considering. Thank you.

 

[Toad-ESC]

6 volt

I had similar problem. Went with 2 (6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries) and bought new plastic battery boxes for height. Width was the same. Doubled my amp hours from not using group 24 batteries.

New to me '22 29MV owner here.

Need to get new batteries, I currently have 2 x Group 24.

I don't need Lithiums, too expensive still for me, would be happy with 2 GC2 6v, but do. Not fit, too high. Thinking AGM, would 2 x Group 31 fit?

TIA

 

[GeekyGuy]

Did the 6V GC2 plastic case fit under the stairs ?

 

[billcf7]

The GC2s will not fit, I know that you are much. I'm in Canada and Lithiums are still crazy expensive.

I may do that when in the US, worth considering. Thank you.

'm in Canada also and you can get lithium cheaper than AGM now, you just have to shop around
A group 31 AGM is 100 amp hours and if you look at the prices they are over $600 at CTC, WALMART, and COSTCO

 

[COCJ]

I highly recommend Deka AGM batteries. Have them in my current Redhawk 22C and have been using them in all previous campers for at least 10 years. They are not cheap, maybe $300/each, but well worth it in my mind. Made in America, too. Not sure what amp hours are without going out and looking at them, but they are strong. We are almost always boondocking and have a 200W solar panel. Even running furnace at night and lights, I have never seen them go below 12.3 volts. Also, our campers have never been compatible with lithium batteries. Not sure that I would switch even if I could. We do a significant amount of cold weather camping and have heard that lithium batteries do not do well below freezing temperatures.

 

[billcf7]

I highly recommend Deka AGM batteries. Have them in my current Redhawk 22C and have been using them in all previous campers for at least 10 years. They are not cheap, maybe $300/each, but well worth it in my mind. Made in America, too. Not sure what amp hours are without going out and looking at them, but they are strong. We are almost always boondocking and have a 200W solar panel. Even running furnace at night and lights, I have never seen them go below 12.3 volts. Also, our campers have never been compatible with lithium batteries. Not sure that I would switch even if I could. We do a significant amount of cold weather camping and have heard that lithium batteries do not do well below freezing temperatures.

12.23 volts is 50% discharged

 

[GeekyGuy]

12.06V in the flooded battery world is 50%.

Just read that 12.25V is indeed 50% for AGM?

 

[dvspl]

The space under the stairs in 29MV is pretty tight. When I researched replacing my batteries a couple of years ago, Group 24 was the only standard size I could find that would fit. The space is plenty wide but not very long and just barely tall enough for the Group 24. Also, there is a spacer welded onto the bottom that is designed for Group 24. You'll have to remove or modify that if you put some other size in. I eventually went with two Renogy 100 AH SmartLithium batteries. They JUST fit but I had to cut out the bottom spacer to make it work. But Lithiums don't have to be vented to outside so could easily be relocated to some other spot, such as under the dinette. I didn't want to give up that space.

BTW, I have had no issues with Lithium in cold weather. They cannot be charged when temp is below freezing but work perfectly well to provide power down to sub-zero. The charging restriction is only an issue if you boondock in sub-freezing temps for multiple days. I don't. YMMV.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Good comments. Thank you. Guess you've replaced your converter to support Lithiums, as I believe the OEM does not offer that charging profile.
In Canada currently, most 100AH Lithium batteries are still close to $425. I can get 100 of usable AH with dual GC 6V for under $300 and keep all as is.
But I may bite the bullet and just get 1 for now.

 

[dvspl]

Guess you've replaced your converter to support Lithiums, as I believe the OEM does not offer that charging profile.

My 29MV came with PD9260C converter which does not have a lithium profile. But it does accept this Charge Wizard remote pendant: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HS0PAI/
With the remote pendant I can put the converter into "Boost" mode which charges my batteries at 14.4V. When they're fully charged, I manually change it to "Normal" which floats them at 13.6V until we disconnect from shore power. If I'm going to be plugged in for an extended period, I put it into "Storage" mode which floats at 13.2V and keeps the batteries at about 70% SOC. So it requires some manual monitoring but isn't hard. I did add a DC to DC charger into the alternator circuit to prevent overheating the alternator, though, so it isn't a free (or drop in) replacement.

 

[GeekyGuy]

Yep, that DC to DC charger... If it's not too much to ask. What did you get and is it complicated to install?