Sorry if this is the wrong forum but I have a question re. RV batteries. My new 5er has two 6 volt batt. instead of two 12 volts. Dealer says the 6 volts hold the charges longer and recharge faster. Anyone know anything about this? Love the 5er, a 28 ft. STARWOOD by McKensie.

I think all the newer stuff is comming out like this. The batteries will be hooked in the same fashion as a 24 volt system on a larger diesel truck. Not sure on the drain times or recharge times, but was told the same thing as you were. Ihavent owned my new 5er long enough to tell. Sure is alot easier packing 6volt batteries around than the old 12volt 127s though. I to love the new 5er a 32 ft Kustom Koach Legacy 328.

Thanks DURATYS. I found a lot of good infor at RVNET.COM. Probably should have went there first. They say the 6 volts have more amps. and last up to five times longer. Plus, the 6 volt (golf cart batts) are made to discharge and recharge,, unlike a car battery. Enjoy your 5er.

Thanks DURATYS. I found a lot of good infor at RVNET.COM. Probably should have went there first. They say the 6 volts have more amps. and last up to five times longer. Plus, the 6 volt (golf cart batts) are made to discharge and recharge,, unlike a car battery. Enjoy your 5er.

FYI there is an RV Section on the Forum.

In regards to the battey questions, your dealer is selling "Wolf Cookies", BS.

Until the late '50's and early '60's, All automotive (pickup) electrical systems were 6 Volts; starters, generaters, lights, radios, GM used an 8 volt system for a while, then we had 12 volt systems. "Golf Cart Batts" (GCB's) were the original "Deep Cycle" batteries, and were only available in 6 volt. That is no longer true.

All batteries are is a storage device, they All discharge and recharge. A deep cycle battery will tolerate (survive) deeper discharges before a recharge, than a non deep cycle battery.

All of your RV utilities (appliances) Will be 12 Volt.

To achieve a 12 volt service for your RV using 6 volt batteries you must use Two (2) batteries in series. The current (power) available from this system is limited by internal characteristics of One (1) 6 volt battery, because they are in Series. They (the Two 6 volt batteries) are consuming the space (area) required for Two batteries.

Two 12 volt Deep Cycle batteries in Paralel can deliver Twice the curent (Power) of Two 6 volt batteries in series, and only consume the space (area) of Two batteries.

The recharge of either system would be based on how much power was consumed befor recharge. The recharge Time should be Shorter for the 12 volt system.

This is only a quick look, there is much more to concider.

Check this web site

http://www.optimabatteries.com/

Check the "Alfa's" batteries in my "Sig".

Hope it helps.

Idahofox

check the amp hours on the 6 volt batteries in series versus 12 volt in parallel. the 6 volt will have more capacity. the internals are also much more heavy duty, leading to the longer life.

6 volt is the way to go, you can also usually get 4 6 volt in the battery tray versus two 12 volt batteries

If four 6 volt batteries are More Heavy duty than two 12 volt batteries how can they fit in the same space, total capacity of either system is a function of the plate mass.

Idahofox

the 6 volt batteries I have used are much smaller than a type 27 12 Volt, they fit in a footprint just over the size of the 12 volt so two fit in near the space of one. The plate mass on the 6 volt series are much thicker than the interstate and a few other brands I have, you would be truly surprised. It has only been the last couple of years that I have used them but very impressed so far. A long time RV friend of my family has been on the same set for 8 years and has the same capacity as new !!! dont know about others here, but with constant use/abuse my deep cycle 12V dont hold up that long...........

I cant say much for batteries like the Optima blue top, I wont pay that much when I can two 6V for same price and have double the amp hours. do asearch at rv.net, lots of user opinions and testimonials.

My boat came with 2 12 volt batteries, one in each bank. basically i could kill one of them with the stock stereo in a couple hours. so i took the two 12 volts, put them in one bank together (emergency starting bank) and took 4 trojan T105's wired in series and parallel (for 12v total) and put them in the second bank. after upgrading the stereo, etc on the boat i can run the stereo constantly for days and they work great. you have to keep an eye on the water as they aren't maint. free.

i also did this in my buddy's 37' sand piper.. way better than the one battery it came with.

i will also recommend you get a GOOD charger. the one in his sand piper was kinda crummy. i have a xantrex truecharge 20 in my boat which works great as i leave it plugged in all the time and it floats them as well as monitors the temps of them. plus the charger will charge multiple banks simultaneously, giving more power to the bank that is discharged more..

In my enclosed trailer I went from 3 big trolling / starting battteries, to two 6-volt golf cart batteries. It was quite a difference. the 2 golfcart batteries outlasted the others hands down.

In my motorhome I have 6 of the biggest 6-volt golf cart batteries I could find. It is incredible how long they will last. All day with tv even after making a pot of coffee on the inverter.

If you really want to get the most battery for your space get a couple 6-volt fork lift batteries. The tallest ones you can fit.

Also recomend the xantrex inverter/chargers.


Blake

My boat came with 2 12 volt batteries, one in each bank. basically i could kill one of them with the stock stereo in a couple hours. so i took the two 12 volts, put them in one bank together (emergency starting bank) and took 4 trojan T105's wired in series and parallel (for 12v total) and put them in the second bank. after upgrading the stereo, etc on the boat i can run the stereo constantly for days and they work great. you have to keep an eye on the water as they aren't maint. free.

i also did this in my buddy's 37' sand piper.. way better than the one battery it came with.

i will also recommend you get a GOOD charger. the one in his sand piper was kinda crummy. i have a xantrex truecharge 20 in my boat which works great as i leave it plugged in all the time and it floats them as well as monitors the temps of them. plus the charger will charge multiple banks simultaneously, giving more power to the bank that is discharged more..

4 T105's wired for 12v wow, the C20 rating on that system is 450 AH, (it weighs 248 lbs, but on a boat ?). That's one Big Pot of Power, bet it does run for days :exactly: .

The Interstate's that came in my 5er died in 2 years, I'll let y'all know when the two Optima "Blue"s (C20 rating for the pair, 110 AH, @ 87 lbs) have a heart attack, and they are maintenance Free :cool2: .

Idahofox

I am running two Trojan T125 batteries in my trailer (6 volt in series to get 12V). These batteries weigh 66 pounds each. By my calculations, there are the rough equivalent of three group 24 batteries that I had installed previously.

The initial purchase is a little more expensive, but I would never go back to an standard deep cycle battery. I got tired of replacing batteries every year.