Converting to dual 6 volt batteries?

[Akegb3]

We may be doing more dry camping than expected so I’ve been researching the use of two 6 volt batteries rather than the current 12 volt or dual 12 volts.

Today I was told by a local RV shop that there’s probably not enough room on the TT tongue, but I’m not convinced that is true.

Has anyone already done this on a 19’ Passport or similar and had some advice or pointers?

Thanks, Ed

[chuckster57]

If the pair of 6V boxes don’t fit in the current battery tray, you can simply weld new rails lengthwise and mount the boxes on them if there’s room. You may be able to move the propane tank tray for more room.

[Akegb3]

Current battery box is definitely too small for two 6 volt batteries. Thanks.

[Ductape]

Don't let a $5 plastic battery box stop you from switching to 2 6 volt batteries.

[JRTJH]

A 12 volt GP24 battery box and a 6 volt CG6 or ECG6 battery box have the same "footprint". If you have space for two GP24 batteries and have an extra 3 or 4 inches of height above the GP24 boxes, then golf cart batteries will fit, in boxes, in the same space.

If you only have room for one GP24 battery box (usually with enough space for another "half box" then you'd need to rearrange or reposition the existing battery box rails and possibly move the propane tank rack.

It's not difficult to do, but if the rails are welded in place, then you'd need to hire a welder (unless you know how to weld) to cut the existing brackets off the trailer tongue and reweld them (or new ones) in place.

Alternatively, you can leave the existing rails in place and position new ones on top of the trailer tongue A frame.

[B-O-B'03]

I converted my trailer from 2 X G24 12V to 2 X GC2 6V.

I bought a box that holds both batteries, end 2 end and fits in the same rails as the 2 boxes that held the 12V batteries.

The CG2 batteries are a couple of inches taller, as mentioned, but the footprint is the same.

I went from 150 amp hour capacity, with the 12V batteries, to 230 amp hour capacity with the GC2.

-Brian

[Msmith2054]

Maybe I am uninformed or missing the point, but what is the advantage of two 6V batteries over one 12V? More capacity?

[chuckster57]

Maybe I am uninformed or missing the point, but what is the advantage of two 6V batteries over one 12V? More capacity?


When boondocking it’s all about amp hours, so in a nutshell yes more capacity.

[xrated]

Yes, two 6 volt golf cart batteries will typically provide approx. 225 amp hours off of battery power. The typical 12 volt group 24 battery is providing approx. 75 amp hours. So if you have two of them hooked up in a parallel configuration....approx 150 amp hours....vs. two 6 volt batteries in a series connected configuration....225 amp hours

[ChuckS]

From looking around. This is a simple explanation. And yes... under most circumstances two GC2 6 volt golf cart batteries will outperform 12 volt batteries in parallel... if you are always using shore power it’s a toss up...

What is the difference between 6 volt and 12 volt deep cycle batteries? ... Both are lead acid batteries, both contain 2.1 volt cells. Three cells in the 6 volt battery and six cells in the 12 volt battery. The 6 volt battery has more space per cell than the 12 volt hybrid so the plates are thicker and will last longer.

[xrated]

Each plate in the 6 volt battery has more surface area than the 12 volt group 24....thus more amp hours. You can buy group 27 and 31-and they are larger too....but for the footprint size and the fact that the GC2 are true deep cycle batteries, they are hard to beat.

[B-O-B'03]

Maybe I am uninformed or missing the point, but what is the advantage of two 6V batteries over one 12V? More capacity?

From my post, right above yours...


I went from 150 amp hour capacity, with the 12V batteries, to 230 amp hour capacity with the GC2.
-Brian

[blueticks]

Just made my purchase based on several recommendations. I bout 2 6v batteries and wired them in series. When purchased them, the sales rep also suggested a new jumper which is a larger gauge than my original cables. Do I need to upgrade the ground and positive cable to my trailer or is all good?

[Akegb3]

It appears I never followed up with what I ended up doing. So, FWIW... I bought 2-Rolls GC2 AGM 6 volt batteries along with a new battery box and also upgraded the power converter. Have not had a single issue with battery life since. Well worth the cost!! Thanks again for all the valuable input!

[koda57]

What brand box did you buy. I was looking for one that would also take the place of my 2 12v group 24 batteries. I wasn't successful in finding one.

[Akegb3]

Hi, not sure of the brand. It might be Century Plastics. Got it from Renewable Energy Systems. Item #BOX-GC2-E.

[Fourbtgait]

Century plastics. I bought mine from All Batteries Sales in Everett WA. Got it in 2 days. Fit existing tray and holds 2-T145 6 volt batteries.
We camp in the National Forest, no hookups have a Renology 100 watt suitcase

[koda57]

Thanks guys for the battery box info

[JRTJH]

Just made my purchase based on several recommendations. I bout 2 6v batteries and wired them in series. When purchased them, the sales rep also suggested a new jumper which is a larger gauge than my original cables. Do I need to upgrade the ground and positive cable to my trailer or is all good?

The short answer is no. Both of those wires are probably either 4 ga or 6 ga copper stranded wire. 6 ga is rated at 65 amps (4' length) and 4 ga is rated at 85 amps (4' length)... Your trailer has two "mini-breakers" on the tongue that are 30 amp breakers. The "maximum amperage through the breakers" is going to be 60 amps, so either gauge wire is sufficient.

That being said, it won't "hurt anything" to change out the wiring, but it's not needed.

[DVines]

Thank you for the easy to follow information on this subject everyone! I do lots of dry camping and plan on converting to a setup like this as soon as possible!

[Stableduck]

Hi, not sure of the brand. It might be Century Plastics. Got it from Renewable Energy Systems. Item #BOX-GC2-E.

Is that a local business? I am in Anchorage also and I think we have the same trailer. I am wanting to go with 6 volt batteries on the tongue

[packrat1969]

First off, I am by no means an expert regarding 12V battery systems. I do, however, want everyone here to keep in mind that whenever you’re using wet cell lead-acid deep cycle batteries, you should only be discharging them to no less than 50% of their rated capacity. This also holds true of any conversion to flooded GC2 golf cart batteries. Discharging them more than 50% will seriously reduce their capacity and lifespan. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to maintain the batteries’ electrolyte levels.

For any long-term dry camping, I would highly recommend an appropriately-sized solar panel array and charge controller to replenish the batteries on a daily basis. I have (2) GC2 batteries on my 2017 Passport, and I use a 3-panel ground-mounted 300W array that I built myself with stuff I had in my garage and bought off of eBay. While I’ll never get the full 300W out (due to reasons more complicated then I can cover here), the array is more than sufficient to recharge my batteries in half a day of full sunshine after a night of using an inverter for some medical hardware.

[BeagleMan]

Ok, now you have me piqued! What sizes or what types of CG2 batteries are we speaking of here? I have a single battery box on my trailer behind the LP bottles. What kind of mods can I do there? Where can I best purchase these batteries? Dealerships? I'm not privy to ordering batteries off Amazon or such place. What do I look for? Who has pics of their set up? Just an enquiring mind needing to know. :D

[skids]

I converted my trailer from 2 X G24 12V to 2 X GC2 6V. (Snip)
I went from 150 amp hour capacity, with the 12V batteries, to 230 amp hour capacity with the GC2.

-Brian

That is very impressive!