Battery Question

[Leon54173]

We do a lot of dry camping and currently have 2 x 12v batteries in parallel. Batteries are approaching end of life and I’ll be replacing them shortly. I have the space for a third battery, and am thinking of going with 3 x 12v to maximize amp hours. However, I’ve never seen or read about such a configuration. Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?

[Lee]

Hi,... only concerns I can see are space and weight of the 3 batteries.

Two 6-volt golf cart batteries in series would probably give you as much (or more) capacity as the 3 12volts would.

Lee

[darreld]

Originally Posted by Lee

Hi,... only concerns I can see are space and weight of the 3 batteries.

Two 6-volt golf cart batteries in series would probably give you as much (or more) capacity as the 3 12volts would.

Lee

Interesting. Any pointers on brands or other info? I was going to install 2 12v batteries myself.

-darrel

[ChuckS]

I’d also have to second option of going with two GC2 six volt golf cart batteries in series. We boon dock a lot and going from two group 27 twelve volt batts to the golf cart batteries is superb.

Trojan T105 is tops, Interstate is good, and I was cheap so went with two Costco GC2 batteries made by Interstate. $80 each. Had to buy one short piece of heavier inter connect cable for series install as I didn’t like the thinner gauge from parallel factory install

[xrated]

That's what I'm running....2 Trojan T-105s. That setup will give you right at 230 Amp/hours of battery fun!

[JRTJH]

I have GC2 golf cart batteries and am well pleased with them.

There is a "increased capacity EGC2 battery" that is about 1.5" taller with the same footprint (fits in a GP24 battery tray). The EGC2 delivers about 12% more power in the same footprint.

Here's one source for both. The specs are available at these links for comparison.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/durace...prod3590228.ip
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/durace...prod3590220.ip

[Steve/]

I have seen this in cruising boats all the time. I know of no reason not to do it.
Some will say that paralleling battery is not a good thing but the same can be said about serial connected battery, they would only be as good as the weakest battery.

You are getting a lot of advice to go with 6 volt golf battery if you look at the chart. http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TRJ...dSpecGuide.pdf
you will see you get the same capacity as 12 volts battery. Based on weight. It hard to find the same physical size to compare.

Now JRTJH makes a good point that you may get more battery finding a 6 volt battery that is bigger/better physical size that may fit your space better that would increase capacity over a 12 volt battery that is smaller in physical size. There are many other reasons to go with 6 volt golf battery such as availability and they are true deep cycle battery.
I like cheap Wally 12 volts battery and just plan on replacing every couple year that way I always have new batteries.

[flybouy]

You state that you dry camp a lot, so I'd go for the 6v in series. Golf cart batteries are "true" deep charge batteries and are constructed to survive deep discharges.

[ChuckS]

I looked at AGM and other new styles of batteries but went with the GC2 batteries because the lead plates are thicker and more electroyite capacity.. weigh the many options and costs and make your best choice.. I figure in another 5 years I’ll replace my current GC2 batteries with same