House Battery Recommendations

[Dunny33]

Hello I have a 2017 Thor 30 FE with (1) 12volt House battery with room for at least 2 batteries. Looking to purchase 2 new "best of breed" batteries as we will be doing a lot of dry camping this summer.

Any recommendations for batteries ( manufacturer and type ).


Question 2 - Why does my Chasis Radio and Camera run off the House Battery and not Chasis battery?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Dunny33

Question 2 - Why does my Chasis Radio and Camera run off the House Battery and not Chasis battery?

So that you can listen to the radio while parked and camping without turning the key to ACC.

[Judge]

If you are going to do a lot of boondocking, I would replace the 12V battery with two 6V Golf Cart batteries connected in series. They are designed to be deeply discharged and will be your best option.

My coach has two 6V batteries and room for four. I just picked up two of these Duracell's from Batteries Plus.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc125


They are made in the US (Pennsylvania) and not China and are reasonably priced. You can get higher capacity versions if you want to spend closer to $200 each. You can also get a 10% discount coupon if you order online and pick up at your local store.

I was going to go with the Interstate 6V Golf Cart batteries that Costco sells but the reviews on them were not that great. The Duracell's are $35 more and worth it in my opinion.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Judge

If you are going to do a lot of boondocking, I would replace the 12V battery with two 6V Golf Cart batteries connected in series. They are designed to be deeply discharged and will be your best option.

My coach has two 6V batteries and room for four. I just picked up two of these Duracell's from Batteries Plus.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sligc125


They are made in the US (Pennsylvania) and not China and are reasonably priced. You can get higher capacity versions if you want to spend closer to $200 each. You can also get a 10% discount coupon if you order online and pick up at your local store.

I was going to go with the Interstate 6V Golf Cart batteries that Costco sells but the reviews on them were not that great. The Duracell's are $35 more and worth it in my opinion.

Or get them from SamsClub and save $50 a battery.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...lp_product_1_1

[Judge]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Or get them from SamsClub and save $50 a battery.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...lp_product_1_1

Actually, that is not the same battery as the one I posted. It is only 215AH and it is a lower grade battery.

The one I posted is a 235AH battery and the Ultra Pro model. I think this one is better suited for a lot of dry camping.

The Sam's Club one can still do a good job. This is also similar to the Interstate that Costco sells. It just depends on how much you plan to be running on the batteries.... and how much you are willing to spend.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Judge

Actually, that is not the same battery as the one I posted. It is only 215AH and it is a lower grade battery.

The one I posted is a 235AH battery and the Ultra Pro model. I think this one is better suited for a lot of dry camping.

The Sam's Club one can still do a good job. This is also similar to the Interstate that Costco sells. It just depends on how much you plan to be running on the batteries.... and how much you are willing to spend.

You're correct, I didn't notice the difference. But SamsClub does have the Extra 230 AH Duracells for $125:

https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...elevance.rr0_1

[Down South]

As mentioned golf cart batteries should do well. You could check pricing with a golf cart dealer, or places like Battery Warehouse.

The top of the line golf cart batteries are Trojan, Crown and US Battery.

One thing about GC batteries is you should never discharge them below 50% or they can be damaged. Same goes for any deep cycle battery.

SOC chart below.

[axis earl]

Or you could commit more funds and get 6 volt AGMs. Virtually no maintenance which was important to me.

[clev]

The one thing that I would add is, look for a sealed, AGM, maintenance free battery.

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by clev

The one thing that I would add is, look for a sealed, AGM, maintenance free battery.

Yes, as stated AGMs are sealed and maintenance free in comparison to flooded cell batteries which are cheaper and a PITA.

[Rocky Mountain Express]

If you are truly wanting 'Best of Breed', then you need to seriously look at Lithium Iron Phosphate ( LiFePO4 ) batteries. Yes, they are expensive up front. But if you plan on keeping your rig for years, and do lots of dry camping, these batteries will be more cost effective long term. A 100 AH battery will give you almost that full 100 Amps versus only about 50 Amps for older technology batteries. They can also be charged must faster, and the amount of cycles is from 3000-5000. Another benefit is they are much lighter, and can be mounted in any orientation.
For my own application, i bought two 100 Ah LiFePO4 batteries last Spring after looking at various types and combinations. My calculations finally told be that based long term (over 5 years), I would have to replace other batteries. I am hoping to be able to get 10 years out of my LiFePO4 batteries, with maybe adding yet another 2 with solar to keep them topped up.

[Long & Winding road]

If Lithium is not in your budget I always recomment AGM.

I went with TWO Full River AGM's and love them. I think it was at Battery Outfitters about 2 years ago? I asked them for a discount upon purchased and they knocked off 10% or 12% so I paid about $225 each for 6 volt 220 amp hour AGMS.

They fit perfect under my steps (Axis) and have plenty of clearance on the top (which was one main reason I chose this brand).

Very heavy (73# each - the oem's were 46 # each).

[Jdb]

Rocky Mountain,
I looked at the LI batteries, but it appears that the converter/ charger isn’t correct for LI batteries, so I’d have to buy a different charger. Is that correct?

Also, with the battery isolator circuitry on our units, I think that I’d have to have an LI chassis battery also, and then have to find an alternator that charges LI properly. I haven’t been able to find an LI charging alternator yet

Dave

[lrplumb]

Just a comment here. I have a 100AH lithium iron phosphate battery that I am using with a solar panel all from bioenno power, Battery was $700 and charger additional. Requires different voltage settings - might be by memory 14.1 v to charge not sure but definitely needs a different charging system which could get very expensive. I am using 4 batteries all AGM Golf cart style batteries- each pair hooke d in series to give 12v system. all batteries identical which is important in series charging batteries. Good luck and if you go with LiFePO4 batteries please let us all know how it went.....

[wsimmons@telus.net]

I just recently spent some time at our recent RV show talking to the rep about LiPo batteries. Sounds like the must have battery until he told me that they quit working when the outside temperature falls to freezing. At that point they need boosting with a battery booster to get them to come alive and accept a charge. Not suitable for cold weather areas. Just my input, live in Calgary, Alberta Canada, winter 7 month a year!!!!

[Jdb]

LI batteries don’t quit working when ambient temperature is below freezing - they do not accept a charge well at really low temperatures. However, they warm themselves when discharging, and then can be charged

Here is a link to a great guide on lithium vs SLA batteries;
https://www.power-sonic.com/blog/lit...cid-batteries/

Dave