2 12v Batteries vs 2 6v Batteries

[orbiker]

Here is more info on 12 volts.
The 12 volt


And a better chart.

[avetraveler]

Here is more info on 12 volts.
The 12 volt


And a batter chart.

Thanks orbiker....that's exactly what I was looking for. Apparently just measuring the voltage isn't a perfect approach but I think it will provide me a guideline measurement for where I'm at.

The battery article was very helpful...need to move on to part 2 as he discusses some projects that will probably be in my future.

[J&G garage]

In determining which type batteries to use you first should do an energy audit of your trailer. For this you will need some sort of battery monitor so you can check the current draw of each 12 volt device in the trailer. With this information you can figure how many hours (or partial hours) a day you use that device. Add those numbers up and you have your amp hour requirements for a day. If your Interstate battery is like ours it's probably between 75 and 100 amp hours. So two in parallel will give you the same 75 to 100 amp hours of useable power. Trojan T-105s are rated at 225 amp hours so two of those in series will in theory give you 225 useable amp hours. So a little more out of the Trojans. The stock battery box will not support the Trojan T-105. It's too small. So a new box would be in order with the Trojans. With two 6 volt batteries you lose your 12 volt system if one battery goes south on you where as you can run some of your stuff on a single 12 volt battery. You have decide the likelyhood of a battery failure for yourself. As far as the 1,2,both switch it is my opinion that you are asking for grief installing one of those. You have to be mindful of the position of the switch at all times or risk under charging or over discharging a battery. Remember you can only use half the amp hour capacity of a lead acid battery before recharging so you would need to monitor their use very carefully if you start switching between them. No problem with leaving them connected together all the time so there is really no advantage to the switch. If you use 12 volt batteries and have a failure of one of them you can simply move the trailer cables to the good battery as you will probably be going into the battery box to troubleshoot the situation anyway. Hope this help and as usual, YMMV.

I just re-read my post above and noticed a typo. It should read that a pair of Trojan T-105s wired in series will give you about 112 usable amp hours not 225. Don't want anybody to think that Trojan batteries are magic.

[avetraveler]

I'm going to post this question here and over on the Imagine topics as well. Here'e the question:

I have the Imagine 2600 RB which came with one group 24 Interstate battery. What other batteries have people installed in the 2600RB that fit in the battery location they provide? I understand that a group 27 won't fit abut what about other 12V or 6V that have more aH capacity.

[Cate&Rob]

I'm going to post this question here and over on the Imagine topics as well. Here'e the question:

I have the Imagine 2600 RB which came with one group 24 Interstate battery. What other batteries have people installed in the 2600RB that fit in the battery location they provide? I understand that a group 27 won't fit abut what about other 12V or 6V that have more aH capacity.

avetraveler - unless GDRV has recently downsized their standard battery box, it is sized for a group 27 battery.
BTW, posting the same question in two places often causes confusion since many track the forum by "what's new?" which picks up all sub-groups.

Rob

[offtohavasu]

avetraveler - unless GDRV has recently downsized their standard battery box, it is sized for a group 27 battery.
BTW, posting the same question in two places often causes confusion since many track the forum by "what's new?" which picks up all sub-groups.

Rob

One small thing Rob, GDRV doesn't supply the battery, the dealer does. GD may call for 27, but that might necessarily be what the buyer gets.

[Cate&Rob]

One small thing Rob, GDRV doesn't supply the battery, the dealer does. GD may call for 27, but that might necessarily be what the buyer gets.

Curtis - agreed. In fact our dealer supplied a group 24 battery rather than the specified group 27 for our Reflection. My point was that a group 27 will fit in the OEM battery box . . . at least on my Reflection.

Rob

[BabyBober]

One small thing Rob, GDRV doesn't supply the battery, the dealer does. GD may call for 27, but that might necessarily be what the buyer gets.

Yep, "my" dealer tried that one on me today. The battery was all buttoned up for our checkout. I asked what size battery? I got a " what r u talking about" loook. I said group 24 or 27? They said 24. I said GD specs a group 27, I would like it changed. They responded well we know the solitudes get a 27 but not the reflection. My response was where are my manuals, let me prove it to you.... they are swapping the group 24 out.... Dealers.... don't get me started...

[TheSpareTire]

Good reason when you buy a rig to just forgo the crappy battery they give you and give me the cash value. I ended up getting $140 back for a group 27 Interstate (rip off IMO).

[orbiker]

I had 3 Optimus Blue top batteries in my camper. They were less then a year old. I left 1 in the camper when I traded it in for the Momentum. I traded the cheep battery the dealer was going to put in the rig for an installation of my 2 Optimus batteries.