Bullet 24RKS batteries

[tanglemoose]

Batteries should last much longer. If you have a TV there is a small button by the connection inside RV. If that is on, it will run your batteries down.

We have solar panel and have had our batteries 3 years... they don't allow batteries to draw down...

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by skids

I would be inclined to just replace the bad one also. Too expensive to replace both!

You should never mix old with new batteries, the weak older ones will drain the new one. Always replace with matched sets of like batteries.

[skids]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

You should never mix old with new batteries, the weak older ones will drain the new one. Always replace with matched sets of like batteries.

Is this true for charging 6v batteries in series and for 12v in parallel?

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by skids

Is this true for charging 6v batteries in series and for 12v in parallel?

Yup.

When you consider it, two 6 volt batteries (3 cells each) connected in series (3+3=6) is electrically the same as one 12 volt battery (6 cells connected in series). Mechanically, they are different because the cells are divided into two "containers of 3" but electrically, they are essentially the same....

So, just a a "single bad cell" can destroy a "6 cell 12 volt battery housed in one container", a "single bad cell can destroy a "6 cell 12 volt battery that's housed in two separate containers"

The difference is, even if you catch a bad cell in a 12 volt battery, you have to replace the other 5 cells...

In two 6 volt batteries, if you catch the bad cell soon enough, you only have to replace the two cells contained in the same box... You "SHOULD" replace the other box of 3 cells, but it may/may not remain undamaged and may/may not remain functional with a replacement of the battery with the bad box....

It's the same as with two 12 volt batteries in parallel. You may/may not get lucky and not see any damage to the other box of cells....

BUT: without regard to "luck", 6 cells in two boxes "interact and can be damaged" if connected in series just as easily as 6 cells in the same box "interact and can be damaged" They also are connected in series.

Having four 6 volt batteries, in series/parallel arrangement would effectively be the same as two 12 volt batteries in parallel. No matter if there are two 6 volt batteries or four 6 volt batteries or eight 6 volt batteries, just like their "12 volt brothers" they all interact electrically and one bad cell can damage the other 5 or 11 or 23 or .... cells in that circuit......

[flybouy]

With multiple batteries and a "single source" for charging all batteries in that battery "bank" should be replaced at the same time. If one battery is defective the charging source "sees" this as one battery and can overcharge the good battery while attempting to charge the bad one. The results will be a weakened or destroyed "good" battery. There's no way to "balance" the charge rate between the 2 batteries without an elaborate, expensive charging and battery isolating system. The cost of that system is only economically viable if you have a solar array or a very large battery back up system with a lot of batteries.
In simplest terms do you replace one shoe at a time or get a new pair?