Sealed vs flooded batteries

[bipolarcoder]

Which should I get. I just bought two flooded but want to make sure I am buying the best

2011 keystone raptor 30fs

[NH_Bulldog]

Ultimately it depends on what your power needs are. Do you intend to camp off-grid a lot or spend the majority of time with a shore power connection?

I have always used a good quality Interstate Brand FLA (Flooded Lead Acid) battery. With our two batteries, we camp off-grid a few times a year for 2-3 days at a time. I don't have solar, I do have 100% LED lighting inside and out, I use a CPAP and my refrigerator and water heater can run on propane. We can go 3-4 days without hooking up a generator.

An AGM battery (Absorbed Glass Mat) or sealed battery is a bit more costly and sits somewhere between a flooded battery and a Lithium battery in performance.

A Lithium (LiFePo) battery is the costliest and has the best all-around performance, but unless you have a solar set-up and/or spend an extensive amount of time off-grid, it is not likely cost effective.

[flybouy]

Have you considered stacking the batteries on the front frame? I think there's a frame sold that replaces the oem battery box.

As to the best battery for you, that's another question that needs a lot more info from you to make a guess. What are your intended use? Boondocking only full time, weekends only, etc.?
What do you desire to use during this time? CPAP,? Coffee pot? Microwave? TV.? Furnace?How long for each?
What are your future plans? Is this a "forever trailer"? Are you going to add solar panels?
What's your budget? Unlimited? $1,000.? $3,000 ? $5,000???
When you start going down the lithium and solar path the opportunities to "off the grid" are immense and the costs will increase greatly with the increase in electrical capacity.

[bipolarcoder]

I went ahead and got two flooded and hooked them up just to get us some heat with our personal heaters until I can figure out how to check the converter.

We are full time RVers, all day every day 24/7, no CPAP, no boondocking or off grid etc. Fridge is gas/propane, heater doesn't work currently tech thinks it is a gas valve, besides that I work from home as a data analyst so consistent power is needed. We are 30 AMP and hooked to shore 24/7.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

I went ahead and got two flooded and hooked them up just to get us some heat with our personal heaters until I can figure out how to check the converter.

We are full time RVers, all day every day 24/7, no CPAP, no boondocking or off grid etc. Fridge is gas/propane, heater doesn't work currently tech thinks it is a gas valve, besides that I work from home as a data analyst so consistent power is needed. We are 30 AMP and hooked to shore 24/7.

Then why have 2 batteries? You only need 1 12 v battery which you should be able to mount in the original battery tray.

[bipolarcoder]

There is no original battery try. It was built like this. The tongue doesn't have a place for anything. No room

[flybouy]

Post a picture of where these batteries set. If it was built that way (are you the original owner?) then it should be ventilated to the outside.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Post a picture of where these batteries set. If it was built that way (are you the original owner?) then it should be ventilated to the outside.

My previous trailer, even though it was a fiver, had a compartment on the curb side about 3/4 of the way back that was vented with room for 2 batteries.

[bipolarcoder]

The batteries are kept in a plastic tray inside a plastic compartment inset in the side of the RV. The door to the compartment is slotted for venting however it didn't help too much when the rear battery was overheating.

I forgot to take a picture of it and it is dark now but @chuckster57 had the same setup.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

The batteries are kept in a plastic tray inside a plastic compartment inset in the side of the RV. The door to the compartment is slotted for venting however it didn't help too much when the rear battery was overheating.

I forgot to take a picture of it and it is dark now but @chuckster57 had the same setup.

I had mentioned several times that the batteries have to be vented outside. Now you state that the comparemt door is v,"slotted for venting". OK......

[bipolarcoder]

Bro you need to chill

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

The batteries are kept in a plastic tray inside a plastic compartment inset in the side of the RV. The door to the compartment is slotted for venting however it didn't help too much when the rear battery was overheating.

I forgot to take a picture of it and it is dark now but @chuckster57 had the same setup.

Did you see my post in the other thread about the double battery box with vent? From memory you said these are under the bed in the kids bedroom..right (not going back to read two threads at the moment). If so those vent slots IMO are not adequate by any means. The sealed box I linked with the vent hose to the outside is what I have and what needs to be there IMO. Otherwise those gases accumulate and "might" eventually migrate out those vents but with the hose they HAVE to go out the vent vs into the cabin.

[chuckster57]

If his battery compartment is like my previous fiver, I think he just needs to check the “ box” and make sure the seams are sealed. I had mine for 13 1/2 years and never had that issue.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

If his battery compartment is like my previous fiver, I think he just needs to check the “ box” and make sure the seams are sealed. I had mine for 13 1/2 years and never had that issue.

I agree but I don't recall ever seeing that he said that. If it's just a plastic battery box inside an enclosure with a metal bottom sitting under a bedframe with a vent on the exterior door (what I recall) that's not safe. If in fact that enclosure is sealed completely and the fumes have no way out but the vented slots then that's a different matter. I do think I would still put them in an enclosed box with a dedicated exhaust hose to the outside to eliminate any possibility of the kids being subjected to the fumes.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by bipolarcoder

Bro you need to chill

"Bro". We are now deep into the second post in an attempt at helping you. Information seems to be trickling out while folks with nothing but good intentions are playing g a guessing game on what set up you have. Good luck with finding the "right battery", I wish you nothing but sucess in your ventures

[bipolarcoder]

You seem to be quite aggressive in your responses. I may have not mentioned that there was a door with slots but there is no need to quote tweet with what seemed like aggression.

Maybe I am reading into it too much but still.

I appreciate your help and thank you for the best wishes

[bipolarcoder]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Did you see my post in the other thread about the double battery box with vent? From memory you said these are under the bed in the kids bedroom..right (not going back to read two threads at the moment). If so those vent slots IMO are not adequate by any means. The sealed box I linked with the vent hose to the outside is what I have and what needs to be there IMO. Otherwise those gases accumulate and "might" eventually migrate out those vents but with the hose they HAVE to go out the vent vs into the cabin.

I am unsure of clearance regarding this setup

[bipolarcoder]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

If his battery compartment is like my previous fiver, I think he just needs to check the “ box” and make sure the seams are sealed. I had mine for 13 1/2 years and never had that issue.

Curious question, did you ever have one so overheat? Not calling you out or anything just curious

[chuckster57]

I don’t think so. It had optima blue tops, they were sealed. I had that trailer for a long time, a long time ago so some details are lost.

[bipolarcoder]

Understood sir. Apparently I also bought cheap batteries. I didn't know they were. My pocket didn't think they were cheap.