briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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I have a conversion van that I use once or twice a month for camping. My power needs are limited: a fan, a small radio, a couple lights and a blender for margaritas. I have been through two $100 deep cycle/marine batteries and they lasted me about 3 years each time. The aux battery is mounted under the van amd receives it's charge from an isolator connected to the alternator. I live in a condo and cannot charge the battery from an outlet at home.
I have heard that these marine/deep cycles are not "true" deep cycle batteries and that 6 volt golf cart batteries are "true" deep cycle. I think the problem I have is that after a dozen or so margaritas the lights, radio and fan stay on all night and it puts a serious drain on the battery (unless 3 years and 25 camping trips is normal?)
Because my power needs are limited and I am sure the battery will be severely drained again, I am wondering if I should (or can) switch over to a single golf cart battery. Will the inverter still work? I would go with 2 in a series, but I want to stay on a budget and I am not running anything important.
Thanks!
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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A single 6 volt battery?
Is that what you are asking?
I don't think so Tim.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
You can not use a single 6 volt battery to power a 12 volt system. They are used in easy to carry pairs, making 12 volts by using a pair in series to make a total of 12 volts.
The alternate is a single 8D battery - 120 pounds in one not so easy to carry battery, with the same water capacity as a pair of golf cart batteries.
What might work better is a 5SP - it is a little larger than the group 27, a littler taller, longer and wider. It is also 85 pounds, and rated at about 185 amp hours. I put one in a manlift, and it lasted for several years.
If you can fit in a group 31, it will store more energy than the 27.
If you buy a 195 watt solar panel, it will recharge the battery the next day, and help prevent sulfates from building up on the plates, and this will lead to a really long battery life.
SunElec.com sells the 195 watt for $263.
Fred.
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Thanks, that helps! I just realized I don't have room for two 6 volts anyway. I think I have been using a group 24 and that barely fits. Because I don't use much power, but need the reliability after draining most of the power, a 12 volt golf cart battery group U1 would be a better fit. Any suggestions on a brand?
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GPWayne
Lake Stevens. WA
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You need 12 volts!....One 12 volt battery or Two 6 volt batteries.
(You can find 12 volt true deep cycle batterys $$$)But they don't like starting an engine too much. Thats why so called "deep cycle/marine batteries" are used.
Three years or less is about what you can expect when deep discharging a battery again and again.
I have seen a gas powered blender....For use outside only.
Also you could use a small Honda Gen.
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briantroy
San Diego, CA, USA
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Thought about the generator, but the beach campgrounds here in San Diego don't care for them! 3 years is normal for the marine/deep cycle batteries then? Maybe I didn't kill them, they were just at the end of their life then. I was hoping to get more than 3 years out of a "true" deep cycle, just wondering now if the price is worth the extra $$$.
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Any battery, 6v or 12v, will have a much shorter life if allowed to discharge below 50%. Any battery will have a shorter life if allowed to stay in a discharged condition.
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Read The 12 Volt Side of Life, it will help you understand your batteries.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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There is no way to get 12 volts from a single 6 volt battery (that is practical anyway). You would need a pair of them to equal 12 volts. Sounds to me like you're getting about what would be expected of a starting battery from your marine/RV batteries. They are not designed to ever be USED to be a total power source in your RV other than for loading or quick lunch stops. For dry camping you'll need more battery power and preferably better batteries.
Good luck / Skip
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Quote: I think the problem I have is that after a dozen or so margaritas the lights, radio and fan stay on all night and it puts a serious drain on the battery Given this I dont' understand why you are concerned about the battery.  Just replace it every 3 years. 
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Bob
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