I have two 12v Marine batteries hooked up to my 5er and it seems to work pretty good. Talking to different RVers, I keep hearing that 2 6v batteries would be better. They can't seem to tell me just why they would be better, so I thought I'd ask you folks. Since we do a lot of dry camping and sometimes we can't use the generator due to CG rules. I'm looking to increase the life of the batteries.
thanks
When your 12v batteries need replacing, go with 2 6v units. The 6v batteries have more lead, hence a greater charging/storage area and can give you more draw down amps than a 12v unit. Check out this site:clicky
Better is a pretty subjective term. the total number of AMP hours provided tell how much POWER a battery bank puts out and in MOST cases the two 6 volts equal more than two 12 volt batteries but that's not always the case. The biggest ADVANTAGE two 6 volt batteries have is the number of charge/discharge cycles they will withstand before giving up. My last set of Trojan T-105s lasted me eight years (would have been longer except they were stolen this spring). Most 12 volt batteries will NOT last that long when used with frequent cycles of 50% discharge. Doesn't mean that 6 volt is BETTER in every circumstance but when used properly they usually last longer.
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What sort of camping do you do? If you only go full hookup then two 12VDC batteries is more than enough. If you do a lot of boon docking then 6VDC is a better choice. But you also have to remember that 2-6volt batteries is only one 12 volt battery is a large box.
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I was not sure they where better or not, but only got about 2-3 years out of a set of 12 volt batteries. The factory 6 volts that came with my Bounder motorhome lasted 9 years, and I gave them to a friend when I was going to start full timing, so I would have a fresh set (the new ones where not more powerful than the old ones).
The second set is now about 6 years old, still going strong.
What are your 12 volt batteries doing for you?
The 6 volt has much more space around the plates for water, they run cooler, have more space under the plates for mineral buildup before the plates short out, not as likely to overheat and warp (causing a short circuit).
The 6 volts tend to last up to 10 years when used in a home, where they are charged daily by a solar or wind system, and discharged each night.
I like them so far, and have no plans on going back to 12 volt batteries, only recommending them when a pair of 6 volt will not work. Such as under the hood battery, a group 31 might fit, giving 125 amp hours capacity, while the group 27 was only around 100 AH. They do make a 185 AH 12 volt battery, I used one in a manlift, however it is 85 pounds, and while nice to keep the manlift stable, most do not care for that much weight. It was a Trojan 5SP battery.
THink of the 6 volt battery as 1/2 of a really heavy battery, like the 8D that is truly a heavy duty battery, in two parts, not one big 120 pound battery.
Like I said in my previous post, check out the site: The 12v side of life.
My experience has been over a 12 years period of time. Operating 4 solar powered stock waterers, using 3 24v pumps and 1 12v. The first set of 12v batteries went south after 2 years, I changed over to 6v units, which now after 10 years, I'm having to start replacing. These batteries are subjected to numerous charge/re-charge cycles and temp changes over a 12 month period.
The advantages of placing battery cells in series (as is done with 2 6 volt batteries) out weights any advantage of placing cells in parallel (as is done with 2 12 volt batteries).
That is why you never see any devices designed to use battery cells in parallel unless they have to because of a specific voltage requirement.
Without getting technical - not qualified to even try to get technical - but: I've had both. I had little problem with using two 12 volt deep cycles when we boondock and now I have 4 - 6 volt deep cycle batteries. I prefer the 6 volts over the 12's because they seem to give a bit longer cycle life than the 12's did.
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