Battery

[joey2525]

I am new to the world of deep cycle 12 volt batteries. I noticed they can cost anywhere from $50.00 to $250.00.  What are the differences?  Does anyone have batteries they would reccomend?

['tiredTeacher]

I am new to the world of deep cycle 12 volt batteries. I noticed they can cost anywhere from $50.00 to $250.00.  What are the differences?  Does anyone have batteries they would reccomend?

Go here http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm to become edjumacated, then go buy a good quality group 27.

[joey2525]

Go here http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm to become edjumacated, then go buy a good quality group 27.

Thanks

[tplife]

I recommend the Optima Blue-Top marine size 34, I bought mine at CostCo with a rebate, probably around $160.00 out the door.  My FIRST HOUSE BATTERY!  AGM batteries last longer, charge faster, can be carried/stored upside down, don't de-gas, don't leak HCL (corrosive acid) and are...well, just good stuff!  :theking:

[BirdMan]

Joey, there is a lot of information online about batteries.  Here are a couple links that will help with the understanding of battery types, pros & cons, ...

http://www.chargingchargers.com/tutorials/batteries.html

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to batteries, but it all starts with your needs.  Then you can start to work on what size battery system you need for the duration you will be away from a charging source.

[DT Sante Fe]

I am new to the world of deep cycle 12 volt batteries. I noticed they can cost anywhere from $50.00 to $250.00. What are the differences? Does anyone have batteries they would reccomend?

Trojan makes great deep cycle batteries, I would recomend them. I just changed my single 12 volt to two 6 volt Trojan T 105. Wish I had done it sooner

[Haroki]

Trojan makes great deep cycle batteries, I would recomend them. I just changed my single 12 volt to two 6 volt Trojan T 105. Wish I had done it sooner

Golf cart batteries are awesome. They're built to take all kinds of vibrations and heavy draws, and generally have a better lifespan than normal deep cycles.

I went to a 4D AGM battery though from West Marine. No venting issues, and very tough since the plates are actually braced by the glass fibers inside them. Although expensive, they're worth it IMHO.

[chasd60]

I recommend the Optima Blue-Top marine size 34, I bought mine at CostCo with a rebate, probably around $160.00 out the door.  My FIRST HOUSE BATTERY!  AGM batteries last longer, charge faster, can be carried/stored upside down, don't de-gas, don't leak HCL (corrosive acid) and are...well, just good stuff!  :theking:

Optima are made for vibration not capacity.

They are rated at 50Ah which is less than the cheap Group 24 that your camper comes with. http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

Buy any deep cycle that does not state "dual purpose" or "starting". You want a standard Deep Cycle battery. I have found that WalMart Deep Cycle batteries perform very well. I had two 115AH batteries on my hyrbid with 2-80W solar panels on the roof attached to a LINK10 battery system monitor and never went without power.

The REAL source
http://www.batteryfaq.org/

[bullock1789]

We have been looking for a good replacement battery, and are needing some suggestions as to where and what kind to buy.  Based upon everyone's responses, I am assuming a Group 27 or 31 Battery is what we are looking for, but any suggestions as to the best place/brand to get it?  We are in Arizona and are finding that there are tons of "brands", and we don't want to get stuck with a unreliable battery.

[waterdoctor]

We have been looking for a good replacement battery, and are needing some suggestions as to where and what kind to buy. Based upon everyone's responses, I am assuming a Group 27 or 31 Battery is what we are looking for, but any suggestions as to the best place/brand to get it? We are in Arizona and are finding that there are tons of "brands", and we don't want to get stuck with a unreliable battery.

bullock1789
I got mine at my local Costco. They have golf cart batteries, as well, if that's the direction you want to go. As for me, I stuck with the Deep Cycle's, only cuz I didn't know then what I know now about batteries from reading the great posts here on the forum. As to a source, just about any RV supply outlet (probably costs more), internet, local auto parts supplier (Kragen, Autozone, Riley's (same as Kragen), Pepboys, etc.) can be good sources. Just take good notes from the forum to determine what you're looking for and go get it. I gave myself a lot of heartburn making my decision only to find out it wasn't that big a deal. :banghead: You might even look for a batteriy distributorship (we have Brodig's in my area) that can locate anything you could want. You should be able to find whatever you're looking for in either Phoenix or Tucson.
 
Also, I was told some time back that there are really only a few manufacturers of batteries in the US and they label them however their customers want. I think they do that just to make an xtra $$ thru marketing. Just my 2 cents.
I hope this helps.
Steve

[coach]

You need to decide/calculate/estimate how much battery you need, determine what type of camping you will be doing. Can you conserve or do you use energy freely? Do you need 120v appliances? Got room for 2 batteries? Room for a bigger battery? New box?
If you need lots of power, you might even consider a generator.

Sams sells 12v deep cycle group 24 and 27 made by interstate.
They also have a couple of different size 6 v golf cart deep cycle.

My group 24 has been plenty, even the couple of times I used the furnace for 2 nights in CO.

On long 'cold' trips, I plan on hookups every 2 days to charge the battery overnight!

[bullock1789]

Thanks for all of your replies.  We live in Arizona, so we only use the heater occassionally.  We a planning a 7 day trip to Yellowstone at the end of June and will need the heater nightly.  Other than that, the only thing that will be "plugged in" will be battery charger or small items.  No household appliances.  We do have a 1800 watt generator that will be going with us to charge it while we are gone.  What did you pay for the Group 24 Interstate at Sams Club?  Is this enough to go a weekend without charging it, or should we stick with a Group 27 or 31?

[coach]

Different sizes require different tray size and box size!

6/09
North TX Sam's - labeled interstste
12 v deep cycle group 24 $65
12 v deep cycle group 27 $75

Interstate retail store
12 v deep cycle group 24 $90
12 v deep cycle group 27 $95
12 v deep cycle group 29 or 31 $110

Sears on-line
12 v deep cycle group 24 $69

[wavery]

On a nice trip like that it may be worthwhile considering a spare battery.

It can really take the fun out of a trip to have insufficient battery power.

For your main battery, I would recommend the group 29 deep cycle battery. You may have to buy a new battery box but they are only about $10 at Walmart.