Battery Replacement

[Taijisteve]

2018 Thor 24FE.
Need advice on battery replacement, on a budget but I'm considering two side by side 12 Volt.
What and where to get the best deals?
Also any ideas for small solar panel to charge up when off the grid?
Thanks,
Steve

[DavidEM]

First read this thread which includes a post I wrote discussing the various types of batteries- https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8...ies-23130.html

You sound like you use your batteries for boondocking. In that case if they will fit, two golf cart batteries you can buy from Costco, Walmart, Batteries Plus, etc will cost about $250 for two and give you the best combination of cost and performance. Since they are 6V just wire them in series.

If they can't fit then there are very few true 12V deep cycle batteries that are traditional flooded cell types. Your best bet then is to install two Group 24, 27, or 31 AGMs. The higher numbers mean more amp hours but larger cases, so buy the biggest that will fit. These can be bought from Amazon probably the cheapest or Batteries Plus.

A small solar panel probably won't help you much. It will take a couple of 100 watt panels to do the job or maybe more. You can buy the panels from Amazon and Renogy or Victron make good controllers. Get an MPPT type.

David

[simidrm]

In my opinion the best thing is to get 4 6volts batteries because they are higher amp and will last longer, but if you still want just 2 12 volt batteries go with deep cycle or agm batteries they are designed to be recharged over and over unlike a standard cranking battery, do a google search for battery wholesalers we have one in our town called battery warehouse.

[Bob Denman]

Not knowing anything about your RV makes it tough to give advice.

If you're on a tight budget: get two 12 volt FLA batteries in the appropriate size from a battery vendor who can get you deep-cycle batteries.

If you want a much better battery: ask the same vendor for a pair of AGM Batteries.

They're probably twice the money; but none of the hassle.

[lwmcguire]

For a real tight budget, Sam's, Costco, or Walmart although in my area Menards often beats their prices and especially if the 11% discount is running

[Cakeman]

I just bought (yesterday) two 27D batteries at advanced auto… Online I was able to use a 20% discount which took $36 off the 183... i’ll get $44 back for core charge once I replace and return the cores. Not sure you can get much cheaper than that. I’ll wait until Monday… As I purchased two battery mats and they’re not in yet.

[DavidEM]

Those batteries have CCA and MCA ratings but no amp hour ratings. Hmmmm!

At least they have filler caps.

David

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by DavidEM

Those batteries have CCA and MCA ratings but no amp hour ratings. Hmmmm!

At least they have filler caps.

David

I had to go to the EnerSys Corporation website to find the 20 hour Amp-hour rating of their group 27 marine/RV battery. It is 85 amp-hour