Six Or 12 Volt Batteries?

[maxrjs]

Are two six volt batteries better than one 12 volt battery? Or, given weight and space considerations, would it be better to go with two 12 volt batteries? We rented a trailer from our local dealer and he had two six volt batteries with a three amp solar panel. He said a six volt would give 40% more power than a 12 volt. We are buying a new 5-th wheel and I was thinking of trading the standard 12 volt towards two six volt batteries ... don't know if the dealer would even want to do that. Just wondered if six volt is the way to go ...

[JRTJH]

There was a recent poll on this forum about how people camped. The results were:

44 members (60%) - Always use hookups - Never Dry Camp
20 members (27%) - Mostly use hookups - Dry Camp sometimes
8 members (11%) - Half and Half - hookups & dry camping
1 member (1%) - Mostly dry camps - uses hookups sometimes
1 member (1%) - Always dry camps - never uses hookups.


So, why include this in a question about which battery is best?

If you're in the 87% of campers who always or mostly use hookups, a 12V battery for the occasional dry overnight will usually work well without the additional expense of 6V batteries and the modifications to house them, extra weight and unique battery boxes for the larger size battery.

But, if you're in the 13% that dry camp half the time or more, then double 12V batteries or better yet, 2 or more 6V batteries would provide more electrical capacity to make extended dry camping stays easier.

Either way, pretty much it's a choice you need to make based on financial considerations, convenience, generator (recharging) capability and personal preference.

For the largest storage capacity 6V is the way to go, but it comes with a price that you may not be able to justify unless you really need and would use the extra capacity.

[maxrjs]

Thanks! It looks like we fit into the 13% - desert campers. I had not thought of more than two 6v. We have a generator - one of those big ones that will run the AC - very loud! I have seen people use two small Hondas with a relay of some type to make them work together. Must be quieter and also can run the AC. I will try and search that out and if no answer then post a question: "What is the best protable generator option?"

[JRTJH]

HEHE If you post that question, you'll get the same type response as you'd get by asking which is better, Dodge, GM or Ford....

Sams Club is liquidating their champion 2KW inverter generators around this area. They are about the same noise level and electrical output as Honda, have a pretty good reputation and about half the price normally, on clearance for $299 around here which makes them 1/3 the honda price. Champion seems to have a pretty good reputation so that's a consideration if you're looking to upgrade to smaller generators that can be used in tandem to power a bigger load. They do the same thing Honda does with piggybacking.

[Festus2]

You can search the forum for portable generators or generators and you will find numerous posts about this topic, which by the way, has been discussed thoroughly. Various brands and models - including Honda and Champion - should appear so you should be able to get a good idea of what is out there with comments about each.

[SteveC7010]

I have a friend who outfitted his trailer with four 6vdc golf car batteries. He also installed about 300 watts of solar panels on the roof of the trailer. Check out his systems and mods at http://www.everymilesamemory.com/