Upgrade to Group 27 RV battery

[Phil Saran]

My 5th wheel came with one Group 24 battery and I would like to
upgrade to a set of Group 27 RV batteries.

They all only offer a 1 year warranty.

Walmart - Ever Start - $81.67

Costco - Interstate - $87.99

Interstate Battery Store - $128.00

Open to comments and opinions

Thanks IA.

[busterbrown]

I'd suggest an alternative upgrade to dual CG2 golf cart 6 volt batteries wired in series. For about $180, you'll be able to get much more usable amp hours out of this configuration than your typical dual 12 volt hybrid/RV/Marine battery configuration.

[5J's]

Busterbrown, question. In the GC battery configuration are there any changes needed to the converter?

[chuckster57]

We install a pair of GC batteries and the only change is the jumper between the batteries.
Two 12V batteries require (+) to (+) AND (-) to (-) jumpers

Two 6V batteries only require one jumper from (+) on battery 1 to (-) on battery 2.

In both cases the trailer leads connect to the ENDS of the battery bank.

[busterbrown]

It depends on the OEM converter and the style of camping one does. After my upgrade to dual CG2s this spring, the biggest hiccup during a trip out west in April was keeping then topped off. Because I more than tripled amp hours with the new bank, the converter performed subpar in keeping them charged up, even after running an inverter generator for the majority of the day.

Because we have big trip planned to Alaska next summer, I will be upgrading the converter and most likely adding a rooftop solar panel and controller to help charge the batteries.

[Sinton4616]

Our fiver came with one M24 battery. After plugging into shore power for 3 days, battery was extremely hot. Took to the dealership and they replaced the battery under warranty with one M27 battery for the main and added a second M27 battery for the residential refrigerator. Just finished a 12 night trip to Pigeon Forge and had zero issues. Both batteries are Interstate batteries.

[GHen]

I just went to Wallmart and Costco. I my area, neither has a true deep cycle 12v battery. They do have marine/rv batteries, but these are hybrids, not deep cycle. You can tell because they show CCA ratings rather than Amp Hour ratings. Normally, If they show a Cold Cranking Amp rating, that’s for starting an engine.

Costco has a deep cycle golf cart 6 volt battery, the CG2.
From what I have read, a car battery will only last 1-2 years as a RV house battery because it drops to low voltage regularly, the plates are not heavy enough to handle the abuse. A hybrid will last 2-3 years. A deep cycle will last 3-5 years.

Lithium ion is probably the best option, but it’s hard to pull the trigger because of the price, but your buying a 10 year plus battery.

I’m moving to a full 6v set and just replace them every 5 years or so.

There are a lot of discussions and articles on this subject.

[Gadget]

I have a Passport 197RB thinking of upgrading to Lithium Battery, but I was wondering do I need to upgrade grade anything else or can I just take out the battery it came with and put in the Lithium?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Gadget

I have a Passport 197RB thinking of upgrading to Lithium Battery, but I was wondering do I need to upgrade grade anything else or can I just take out the battery it came with and put in the Lithium?

Welcome to the forum!!!

I don’t think you need to do anything but dispose of the original battery in an acceptable manner.

[GHen]

Would the converter be able to charge the Lithium battery?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by GHen

Would the converter be able to charge the Lithium battery?

Yes. I see “regular” converters and inverter/chargers all the time in RVs with Li batteries. Pleasureway has been doing it for years.

[bobbecky]

The converters in these rigs will charge normal lead acid batteries as well as AGM batteries, and there are some that will work with gel batteries with a jumper wire moved in the converter circuit. Lithium batteries need a different charger. This is a link to the Progressive Dynamic page for their Lithium chargers. https://www.progressivedyn.com/lithi...power-centers/

[busterbrown]

As Bob has made it clear, the typical OEM multistage converter in most tow behinds will not be adequate for a LiFePO4 battery bank. Lithium require a different charge profile over lead acid and AGM cells. A BMS for lithium will provide functions that include low and high balance of the cells, voltage protection, regulation of input and output amperage, and thermo protection of the bank in general. A BMS will not play nice with a conventional converter charger.

If your plans are to upgrade to lithium, a new converter would be a low cost component compared to the batteries themselves. You might want to consider an integrated converter/inverter for the new set up too, which will add to the pricetag. Victron has a Multi plus line that gets high reviews, providing seamless integration of the charger, inverter, and auto switch.

[travelin texans]

Holy overpriced batteries Batman!!
I, for the 1st time, looked up the price of lithium RV batteries, holy crap, a couple of those are worth more than most the RVs they're going in. For that kind of $$$ they should come with a generator & solar panels.
Personally I'd switch to the group 27 ($150), or better yet 2 GC 6 volts ($180), even if they only last 3 years you're still a lot of money ahead of the lithiums & not have to replace the converter.

[RocNYRunner]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Holy overpriced batteries Batman!!
I, for the 1st time, looked up the price of lithium RV batteries, holy crap, a couple of those are worth more than most the RVs they're going in. For that kind of $$$ they should come with a generator & solar panels.
Personally I'd switch to the group 27 ($150), or better yet 2 GC 6 volts ($180), even if they only last 3 years you're still a lot of money ahead of the lithiums & not have to replace the converter.

I'm going to make the dual 6v upgrade in the spring for some camping in the Adirondacks this summer. Where are you guys finding 2 6v batteries for $180? The cheapest I'm finding is around $260!

[Canonman]

Here's what I'm going with this spring: https://www.samsclub.com/p/duracell-...c2/prod3590228. Also upgrading the battery box: https://www.campingworld.com/camco-d...E&gclsrc=aw.ds and new vent: https://www.campingworld.com/30quot%...E&gclsrc=aw.ds Also replacing the battery lead cables as well.
With the Camping World Merchandise Certificate the DW downloaded, the box and vent kit will be nearly free. Batteries $90 each and $20 for new cables I've spent my allowance for the year

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by RocNYRunner

I'm going to make the dual 6v upgrade in the spring for some camping in the Adirondacks this summer. Where are you guys finding 2 6v batteries for $180? The cheapest I'm finding is around $260!

Sam's Club: Duracell GC-2 $89 each
COSTCO: Interstate GC-2 $98 each

[Bob R]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Welcome to the forum!!!

I don’t think you need to do anything but dispose of the original battery in an acceptable manner.

In my case proper disposal is taking the old, tired, dead batteries (of any type including motorcycle) to the nearest ) O'Reilly's parts store for a swap to a 10 dollar gift card. You may have something similar with a chain store in your area.

bob

[chunker]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Welcome to the forum!!!

I don’t think you need to do anything but dispose of the original battery in an acceptable manner.

Generally speaking there is a core charge for a new battery so the dead battery meets that requirement. No disposal needed unless you order online. Considering the cost of shipping for a 60#+- battery and the price which includes a core charge likely, I see no advantage to ordering batteries.

[RocNYRunner]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Sam's Club: Duracell GC-2 $89 each
COSTCO: Interstate GC-2 $98 each

Thanks. Reviews scared me away from the Interstates, and all the Sam's around here shut down a few years ago.

The duracells I was looking at claim an additional 15 Ah. Is that worth an extra $65 for the pair?