Plan on doing a fair amount of dry camping this fall, including Bristol and Talladega races. Right now, I only have a single 12V battery in the HTT and want to increase the length of time I can get out of my battery power. I have a second 12V deep-cycle battery sitting here.
Which leads me to the question.... I've seen where people replace a single 12V with two 6V in series to increase the amps. How much more advantageous is that than if I put two 12V in parallel?
Mike, Michele, Hannah (13) and Elijah (10)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab
2003 KZ Coyote 23CT Family Travel Photo Album
First, Hopefully your two batteries are about the same age.
We had two group 24 12-volt batteries and later switched to two 6-volt golf cart type batteries. The two 6-volt batteries go MUCH longer between charges than the 12 volt batteries did.
There is not much advantage to two 6-volts in series over two 12-volts in parallel. The main advantage is cost, due to the cost competitiveness of 6-volt golf cart batteries. Golf cart batteries are "true deep cycle" batteries with thick lead plates that are more tolerant of deep discharge and they provide up to 500 recharge cycles. If you already have another 12-volt battery, I would use it. If the batteries are different ages, it is advisable to use them one at a time and keep one terminal the unused battery disconnected. This will help keep the weaker battery from discharging the stronger battery.
This is a subject that draws a lot of debate on here.
Its impossible to answer your question, the way you asked it. There are all different sizes/types of 12 volt batteries, depending on what kind you have, they may or may not have more staying power than a good pair of 6 volt batteries in series.
Generally speaking, though, you do typically get better 'bang for your buck' ($$ per amp-hour), with a pair of 6 volters in series. That, and with 6 volt batteries, you are more assured of getting TRUE deep-cycle batteries, intended for what you're using them for. That may or may not be the case, when you buy 12 volt batteries.
I would higly recommend a pair of 6 volters in series. Get you a pair of them from Sam's for $50 each, or if you really want the best, get you a pair of Trojan golf cart 6 volt batteries, for 'bout $70 each. That'll keep you going for several days, as long as you're careful.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
The way to get more battery use is to increase amp-hour capacity. Whether you use two 12 volt or two 6 volt batteries, you need to look at the total amp hours available. ALthough I prefer the design of the 6 volts golf cart batteries, it's possible that you could find two 12 batteries with more amp hour capacity.
If you have two 12v use them. Worry about 6 vs 12 when you replace both. Besides I thought everyone ran generators 24/7 at the races. For a few beers you could probably plug into your neighbors gen for charging batteries.
smkettner wrote: If you have two 12v use them. Worry about 6 vs 12 when you replace both. Besides I thought everyone ran generators 24/7 at the races. For a few beers you could probably plug into your neighbors gen for charging batteries.
This is the way to go, being as you already have the 2 batterys,,how do you charge them, and as stated the weaker one will pull down the stronger...have fun,, wish I could go,, love Nascar...
98 Pace Arrow Vision,F53, 37', 2 slides, Gibson, TransCommand
Thanks everybody. Based on several responses, I'll go with the two 12V for now since its what I have on hand. Then when its time to replace them I'll switch to 6V.
As for generators, I was hoping to get by without one if possible - all I have is a big, heavy, NOISY Coleman powermate and didn't want to have to lug it along, much less listen to it (not that there won't be enough of them nearby).
But even 8 pages of discussion is not going to change the fact that for a given physical size/weight of battery, there is not a dimes worth of difference between 6v or 12v when it comes to amp hour capacity. Now if you're talking value for the buck, it has been reported many times that the 6'ers have better longivity than the 12's, especially when abused.
Rich
' 98 Flair, 454, Onan Microlite 4k, Intel PD 9155 w/ wizard, Sta-power 1500 watt Inv, 2 6v batts, ammeters, Oly Catalytic Heat, hauling 2 Bent Bikes and sometimes towing a Tracker F&S boat.
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