Newbee Battery Question?

[rb_beachcpl]

Greetings

We just bought a 2002 Coleman/ Fleetwood Taos. The battery looks like it's in bad shape. We have no owners manual, and not sure what type of battery to get. Can anyone recommend a really good one? Also, anyone know if we can download an owner's manual?

Thanks a bunch!

[mountainrev]

You will want to buy a deep-cycle marine battery.  You can get them at Wally World or any auto supply store.  I'm sure the boondocking gurus will chime in with specifics about which battery will last the longest.  From my experience, though, if you're not boondocking for a long time, but just occasional "dry camping" (no shore power) for several days, I think a basic deep-cycle (at about $60 or so) will suit you.

Here's a link for the owner's manual for your Coleman:  http://www.popupportal.com/manuals_2.asp?mf=Coleman

[Gone-Camping]

The above post is correct, you need a RV/Marine Deep Cycle battery. They come in 3 basic sizes, and give you 3 different amp hour ratings. The bigger one will last longest of course. The trailer battery that most mfgr's and dealers default to is the Group-24 battery, it's the smallest of the three, and the cheapest and that is why they supply them, You can also get them in Group-27, and Group-31...

I currently use a pair of Group-27's as I got them for free. If and when the time comes to replace them, I'll probably buy a pair of Group-31's so that I can get max time out of them.
 
Here is some good reading for information of 12 volt batteries that should help to enlighten you.... "Marks 12volt side of life"...
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

[rb_beachcpl]

Thank you for your replies! They helped us out a lot.

Have a great weekend