Why two 6v batteries instead of one 12v?

[rabbit59]

Dont want to beat a dead horse, but why do people go with two 6 volts batteries? Is there ultimately more stored power in two 6 volt versus one 12 volt? How do you like to mount them if its setup for one 12 volt? I might go this route? And finally, can Amazon ship these or should I look local? I live in a very small community. Thanks

[chuckster57]

It’s all about Amp Hours, like having a bigger pool to draw water from. It only matters if your going to dry camp. At the dealership we have trimmed the handles from the 6V boxes so they fit on A frame of a trailer. Fifth wheels have more room. I can’t answer your question about shipping, but I can tell you 6V batteries are heavier than 12V batteries.

[Stircrazy]

cost, much cheaper to get 210 AH from two 6V golf cart batteries than it is with one 12V. also the 6V GC batteries have heavier plates and other construction so the life is longer and the recovery time is faster.

Steve

[notanlines]

Thomas, you can get Exide batteries at your BJ's Wholesale Olean, NY for a good price, and a 40 month warrantee.

[rabbit59]

Notanlines....exide 6v a good battery?

[JRTJH]

For me, there are two significant reasons to opt for the dual 6 volt batteries rather than the single 12 volt deep cycle battery that both deliver a 215 amp/hour rating.

First, deep cycle batteries are significantly heavier than their hybrid counterparts that are typically "cranking batteries with a deep cycle capacity". Two GC2 6 volt batteries fit in the space of 2 GP24 batteries and each weighs about 60-65 pounds. They are significantly easier to handle into/out of a travel trailer battery compartment. A typical GP921 (12 VDC/215 Amp/Hr) battery is much larger (15x7x15 LHW), weighs around 110-120 pounds. It is much harder to "wrestle" that much weight.

Second, price: Two GC2 batteries cost about $90 each, $180 for the pair. A 921 size 12 volt battery typically is around $275. Both provide essentially the same performance.

So, unless you've got a forklift or a really good back, choosing the pair of 6 volt batteries is, at least for me, the lesser of two evils, handling difficulty and wallet trauma.

[Logan X]

As far as mounting two six volt batteries on the tongue of your trailer-

Like Chuck mentioned, I started with two regular (cheap) battery boxes, with the handles trimmed off, side by side and that worked well.

When I installed my battery monitor I needed to also place the monitor shunt near the batteries so I switched to a Noco commercial grade dual 6v box. It doesn’t fit in the tray. I screwed a piece of pressure treated lumber into the battery tray to make it flush. I screwed the battery box, through the bottom, to the lumber. That created space for a small weatherproof box to house the battery monitor shunt. I wrap the battery box with a chain for security and extra stability.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM426-Co.../dp/B003VAUG5A

Here are some pictures of my old side by side setup and the new set up.

[notanlines]

Thomas, I actually can't speak about the best brand, I just know that Exide is a long-standing good brand. It wouldn't surprise me if most batteries were made by about two major companies.
Wouldn't surprise me if all RV's were made by two major companies.....

[Roscommon48]

search the info on google. https://www.google.com/search?client...versus+12+volt
I'd go with 2-volt batteries myself.

as for batteries I'd just get a couple of batteries at Sam's Club or Costco...they will be fine.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Roscommon48

search the info on google. https://www.google.com/search?client...versus+12+volt
I'd go with 2-volt batteries myself.

as for batteries I'd just get a couple of batteries at Sam's Club or Costco...they will be fine.

We managed to escape the "stay at home crap" this past Monday and went to Sam's and Costco. I was surprised to see Costco had Interstate GC2 batteries for $87 each. Sam's sells Duracell GC2's for $89. So, at least In Traverse City, MI, Costco is underpricing Sam's on a name brand GC2 battery...

[P&DZ]

Costco, Sams, and Batteries Plus all carry several 6v deep cycle battery brands ranging from 210ah to 235+ah in a wide price range.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Roscommon48

search the info on google. https://www.google.com/search?client...versus+12+volt
I'd go with 2-volt batteries myself.

as for batteries I'd just get a couple of batteries at Sam's Club or Costco...they will be fine.

Do you wire up 6 of those "2-volt batteries" in series to get 12 volts?

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Do you wire up 6 of those "2-volt batteries" in series to get 12 volts?

They must not be fully charged. Shouldn't that be 2.1 volts? They say "there's one in every crowd" but looks there's two in this crowd.

[roadglide]

I’m convinced when my 3 Duracell AGM 115 AH die I’ll go with 6 deep cell AGM . I hope to get 2 more years from my 3 year old AGM batteries. Good pros and cons for 6 and 12 volt batteries.

[notanlines]

How apropos! Guess who just left Costco $190 poorer? After lifting what I'm sure was 400 pounds each out of the tray I just bought whatever they had. Turned out they were Interstate GC2, 210AH.

[B-O-B'03]

I bought a battery box for mine the holds them end 2 end, so it fits in the original bracket.



I also added an Anderson connector that I can plug things into, like my solar controller, macerator pump, etc and on the other side is the battery filling manifold connector that the squeeze pump connects to.



The battery filling manifold and squeeze pump is a must for GC2 batteries IMHO, once it is setup you just click the pump on, drop the hose into a jug of distilled water and squeeze until you can't.

-Brian

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by notanlines

How apropos! Guess who just left Costco $190 poorer? After lifting what I'm sure was 400 pounds each out of the tray I just bought whatever they had. Turned out they were Interstate GC2, 210AH.

Jim Wisconsin is a go no matter what happens before August . Will get together for a ride. I’ll show you my solar system .

[sonofcy]

Originally Posted by rabbit59

Dont want to beat a dead horse, but why do people go with two 6 volts batteries? Is there ultimately more stored power in two 6 volt versus one 12 volt? How do you like to mount them if its setup for one 12 volt? I might go this route? And finally, can Amazon ship these or should I look local? I live in a very small community. Thanks

It's not that complicated. The strength (power) of any chemical reaction is a direct function of the amount (weight) of chemical. A 12 V battery and 6 V battery weigh almost the same. Two 6 V batteries will typically have nearly twice the power.
When I took delivery of my trailer in 2017 it came with 2 small 12V batteries that had 150AH total or 75AH usable power. I replaced them with 2 Trojan T105's that gives me 225AH total or 112.5AH usable.
Do NOT be sucked into hybrid batteries. If the word crank is anywhere on the battery itg is a hybrid.
NOTE: If you are not a full timer or bondock a lot, a hybrid can last you for years if it is always plugged in, but if you are off grid a lot then get real batteries and a real charger.

[mikec557]

Originally Posted by B-O-B'03

I bought a battery box for mine the holds them end 2 end, so it fits in the original bracket.



I also added an Anderson connector that I can plug things into, like my solar controller, macerator pump, etc and on the other side is the battery filling manifold connector that the squeeze pump connects to.


...

-Brian

Brian
Where'd you get that battery box... and do you know of a place that has a similar box for two group 27s end to end?

Thanks
Mike