RV Battery Configuration

[ftroop82]

My RV came with one 12v deep cycle battery. It seems to drain down with nothing on in less than 12 hours, not sure what is draining the battery. What would the recommendation for a new system: 1) Two 12v deep cycle batteries run in a parallel sequence or 2) Two 6v golf cart batteries run in a series sequence?

[SteveC7010]

My RV came with one 12v deep cycle battery. It seems to drain down with nothing on in less than 12 hours, not sure what is draining the battery. What would the recommendation for a new system: 1) Two 12v deep cycle batteries run in a parallel sequence or 2) Two 6v golf cart batteries run in a series sequence?

I think you might want to first figure out what is draining the battery down so quickly. Whatever is going on will most likely drain down dual 12's or 6's nearly as fast. And the on board charging system needs quite a few hours to bring the battery back up to full charge so it is possible that you aren't starting with a full capacity charge.

I think it would be a good idea to make a list of every single usage of 12vdc in a typical 24 hour period. You might be surprised at what is using the battery every day.

Either upgrade can work well and there are proponents of both systems here.

[ftroop82]

I contacted the dealer to discuss the issue and they informed me that 8 hours of run time with nothing running except the carbon monoxide monitor, propane monitor and the etc. is normal for the 12v battery.

[hankpage]

I contacted the dealer to discuss the issue and they informed me that 8 hours of run time with nothing running except the carbon monoxide monitor, propane monitor and the etc. is normal for the 12v battery.

Find another dealer!!! A fully charged battery should last at least a month or more. Furnace & some lights should last 8 hrs..

[ftroop82]

I would rather drive a nail in my foot and chew broken glass than to deal with my dealer's service dept. anymore. I'm pretty sure it's an old battery, but I paid $229 for a full service check-up prior to my walk-thru and was promised that everything was perfect, including thebattery. I guess I'll try and find someone else but I think they are the only ones in town. I'll just replace the batteries with a new set of 6v batteries and be done with it.

[ftroop82]

I think I'm going with 2 Costco 6v Golf cart batteries rigged in series. $79 each.

[ftroop82]

Anyone know where I could buy a battery box for the 6v batteries?

[kingji]

You might as well go ahead and install a battery disconnect switch to kill the power going into the camper when your not needing the 12 volts. I got mine at Reilly's for about $10. It keeps those little nuisance drains from pulling down your batteries.

JK

[SteveC7010]

Anyone know where I could buy a battery box for the 6v batteries?

If you can find out what physical size they are, you should be able to determine if they will fit in a group 24, 27, or 29 battery box.

If you have a fiver, the box has to be a ventilated box. I picked up a second Group 24 box through my RV dealer's parts and accessories counter. They don't stock the ventilated boxes but ordered one which came in in less than a week.

If you have TT instead of a fiver, those battery boxes are much more commonly found in RV and marine shops. My dealer has a whole pile of them in all three sizes sitting next to the battery display.

If they are Group 24 size, you can find them in any auto parts store like NAPA.

EDIT: Google is your friend. I found dozens of sources for all three size exterior boxes on a single search.

[ftroop82]

Thanks for all the info. That get's me started in the right direction.

[CarKath]

I think I'm going with 2 Costco 6v Golf cart batteries rigged in series. $79 each.

Why the 6V batteries?

[W5WI]

Why the 6V batteries?

The 6v Golf Cart batteries have a much larger amperage capacity.