RV/Marine battery recommendations

[rfuerst911sc]

My wife and I bought a used 5th wheel camper in the fall of last year . Haven't taken it out yet but getting ready to this spring . Camper came with one size 24 battery .

That battery is 5 years old so going to replace it . I am also adding a 2nd battery just to have extra capacity . So will need to purchase two . The current battery is from Walmart and still working. Standard wet acid style .

Any recommendations on new batteries to purchase ? Stay wet acid or go AGM ? We will be doing a mix of campground camping ( full hookups ) with occasional boondocking . A lot of brands to choose from but I think only 3 or 4 manufacturers .

[911 Rod]

Deep cycle to run accessories?
That's a small battery. I would see if you can make room to at least use a 27 series.
Moving to an AGM or Lithium will only save you weight for the battery and your wallet.
Ya there are only a few manufacturers of batteries.
Costco has always been a good choice for batteries if they have them.
My 2 deep cycle 27 series on my boat are always on charge with my MinnKota charger and I'm on year 8 with them.

[Cajundaddy]

Lots of choices but it really depends on how you plan to use it, and your budget.

- A pair of 230Ah x 6vdc GC2 golf cart batteries have been the solution for about 40 years in the RV biz. They are very robust, offer useable deep cycle capacity of about 115Ah combined, and if properly maintained may last 7-8 years. They are quite heavy, require regular watering, and should be on a smart battery maintainer while in storage. Available at Wal Mart and Costco.

- A pair of 230Ah x 6vdc AGM batteries are maintenance free, offer similar useable capacity as the GC2 at 2x the price.

- A modern 12vdc lithium battery is maintenance free, light weight, offers useable capacity 2-3x the GC2 batteries for nearly the same price, and if well maintained with a smart battery maintainer with lithium charge profile may last 10 years.

After 30 years with RV ownership we added a 280Ah lithium battery and it transformed our off-grid experience. Worth a look. This is one popular choice but there are many:
https://www.amazon.com/Litime-Low-Temp-Protection-Phosphate-Trolling/dp/B0CW3DH9PK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3KX7D0HKF9UGW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6S_vsPB_7XUFiI1pR7pwRhtnb74-FNJ-hTsvPjYuksAMOIjVvI6wlY3M4eagHaN3ES7g-srufSmpDyPy7pRDCepyTHcFhzLZaRhHSkyGIlN4VyK_pNkd71d M9BJll9lKM2mQggbsBds1QXwOZoq40F9Xj28009s3kMtnIvJ74 mlppZCs0UKsgmH1bfKckaHl5atVKePshNorS8SyXTAQe0fXUbJ 8QDMDwYiooFixdwU.qr6C8BS2e0x_jrYgyjN6zzhzLMhX47D6-Wf7ksTDYwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Litime+280ah&qid=1740507156&sprefix=litime+280a%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[LWJ]

Lithium is awesome. And $$$

AGM is really solid and less $$. I had two AGM on a sailboat. They were flawless.

Lead Trojans are also good. Just large and heavy. Had them on a 5th wheel way back. Did just fine.

[Icemaster]

I just replaced the wet batteries on my trailer with lithiums. They are coming down in price, I spent a little more for them than the lead acids, two series 24 100 AH 12v. Same brand as Cajun linked you above.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKR76TNY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Had to cancel last weekends trip otherwise I'd have had a review for you on how they performed.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Icemaster

I just replaced the wet batteries on my trailer with lithiums. They are coming down in price, I spent a little more for them than the lead acids, two series 24 100 AH 12v. Same brand as Cajun linked you above.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKR76TNY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Had to cancel last weekends trip otherwise I'd have had a review for you on how they performed.

The Amazon site description states those batteries are not suitable for starting/golf carts or jacks. My 5th wheel has a pair of front electric jacks and they pull a lot of current lifting the camper . I wonder if that would be an issue ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Deep cycle to run accessories?
That's a small battery. I would see if you can make room to at least use a 27 series.
Moving to an AGM or Lithium will only save you weight for the battery and your wallet.
Ya there are only a few manufacturers of batteries.
Costco has always been a good choice for batteries if they have them.
My 2 deep cycle 27 series on my boat are always on charge with my MinnKota charger and I'm on year 8 with them.

The factory recessed battery box is sized for a 24 so I will stay with that size . I bought another box that I need to recess next to the other battery . It's all about available real estate .

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Lots of choices but it really depends on how you plan to use it, and your budget.

- A pair of 230Ah x 6vdc GC2 golf cart batteries have been the solution for about 40 years in the RV biz. They are very robust, offer useable deep cycle capacity of about 115Ah combined, and if properly maintained may last 7-8 years. They are quite heavy, require regular watering, and should be on a smart battery maintainer while in storage. Available at Wal Mart and Costco.

- A pair of 230Ah x 6vdc AGM batteries are maintenance free, offer similar useable capacity as the GC2 at 2x the price.

- A modern 12vdc lithium battery is maintenance free, light weight, offers useable capacity 2-3x the GC2 batteries for nearly the same price, and if well maintained with a smart battery maintainer with lithium charge profile may last 10 years.

After 30 years with RV ownership we added a 280Ah lithium battery and it transformed our off-grid experience. Worth a look. This is one popular choice but there are many:
https://www.amazon.com/Litime-Low-Temp-Protection-Phosphate-Trolling/dp/B0CW3DH9PK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3KX7D0HKF9UGW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6S_vsPB_7XUFiI1pR7pwRhtnb74-FNJ-hTsvPjYuksAMOIjVvI6wlY3M4eagHaN3ES7g-srufSmpDyPy7pRDCepyTHcFhzLZaRhHSkyGIlN4VyK_pNkd71d M9BJll9lKM2mQggbsBds1QXwOZoq40F9Xj28009s3kMtnIvJ74 mlppZCs0UKsgmH1bfKckaHl5atVKePshNorS8SyXTAQe0fXUbJ 8QDMDwYiooFixdwU.qr6C8BS2e0x_jrYgyjN6zzhzLMhX47D6-Wf7ksTDYwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Litime+280ah&qid=1740507156&sprefix=litime+280a%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I hadn't considered 6 volt batteries but may now . I think the camper has an on board battery charger but not sure . If it does would there be any problem charging two 6 volt batteries ? I know you wire them so they produce 12 volts .

[LWJ]

6 volt Trojans were the state of the art for a long while.

A great solution.

[Icemaster]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

The Amazon site description states those batteries are not suitable for starting/golf carts or jacks. My 5th wheel has a pair of front electric jacks and they pull a lot of current lifting the camper . I wonder if that would be an issue ?

Since you've got a pair of jacks - probably would be an issue, good point. I've only got one that pulls just under 30 amps, gonna find out for sure.

[Cajundaddy]

Group 24 does severely limit your choices but I think some lithium 100Ah are built to that size. I know mine does start my propane generator and runs my slide out motors just fine. I would not use it as a starting motor for the Sprinter turbo diesel. AGM is a better choice there. Remember that if you use 2x12vdc batteries in parallel, you double their high current limits and their capacity.

Again it really depends on the tasks you need it to do. As a starting motor or to run brief high current loads, look to AGM. For high energy density, much faster charging, and 90% useable capacity, lithium is the way to go. We can typically stay out in the Oregon forest completely shaded for 4 days (no solar charging) without running down our 280Ah capacity. In a sunny location our battery is topped off by noon most days so water and groceries become our limiting factor.

[greglepore]

One thing I'd do is put a maintainer on the battery. I use a large solar panel and controller as my horse trailer/camper is parked in a spot where 110 would require 200ft of extension cord.

[Tim Hancock]

When I first got my wrecked diesel pusher to restore, it had 4 horrible condition old 6 volt wet cell lead acid batteries. When plugged in the made a mess and constantly needed water. When I was finished with my resto and ready to use the coach, I splurged for 4 new AGM 6 volt batteries vs the older lead acid types. My thinking was that the coach would sit unused for long periods and I did not want to worry about forgetting to add water and then have all 4 go bad prematurely. Very glad I did this as I have not had any battery issues for the several years I have been using my coach. Most of the time my coach sleeps in my shop and and I occasionally flip my 50amp service on to it for a day or two every couple weeks. Batteries and terminals have stayed clean and have required zero service of any kind.

[rfuerst911sc]

Tim that's a good point on maintenance of AGM vs lead acid . I have a couple of weeks to decide on style to purchase . I am leaning towards two 12 volt as that gives me emergency starting power for any of my vehicles if needed . Granted that's a rare occurrence but it's stuck in the back of my head . But AGM is definitely on the radar . Thanks

[onewhippedpuppy]

Unless you splurge for something like an Optima, the house brand AGMs aren’t dramatically more than lead-acid. I’ve been using them for years in boats, going from lead-acid to AGM made a noteworthy improvement in how long I could sit in the cove with the stereo cranked. I keep the boat on a tender when not in use and normally replace batteries every 5 years just to be safe.

[rfuerst911sc]

For a FLA 6 volt this looks like a good bang for the buck . I need to see what comparable AGM batteries price out at .

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/SLIGC115?storecode=249&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28ROI%29%20Shopping%20-%20Pmax%20-%20LIA%20-%20Golf%20Cart&utm_id=21679138779&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAlPu9BhAjEiwA5NDSA987qDV_sHKiYrP6OhgJ 71fG0WxcE5NvT3UiH7kjRFFZLMllOGdTBRoCUOYQAvD_BwE

[Cajundaddy]

Those are quality old school FLA batteries, they are big and will not fit a group24 battery box. We ran similar 6vdc batteries in our last RV and they worked great.

Napa has a quality12vdc AGM that is group 24.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

My wife and I bought a used 5th wheel camper in the fall of last year . Haven't taken it out yet but getting ready to this spring . Camper came with one size 24 battery .

That battery is 5 years old so going to replace it . I am also adding a 2nd battery just to have extra capacity . So will need to purchase two . The current battery is from Walmart and still working. Standard wet acid style .

Any recommendations on new batteries to purchase ? Stay wet acid or go AGM ? We will be doing a mix of campground camping ( full hookups ) with occasional boondocking . A lot of brands to choose from but I think only 3 or 4 manufacturers .

I'm staying with wet on my boat for now. The Interstate from Costco didn't last, I'm trying a duracell from Sam's club. There are 2 batteries so I replaced the weaker one this year, I'll do the other next.

I really like the digital capacity meters, great tool for $20. On my boat new one had 100%, the replaced one was at about 50%, and the spare is around 75-80%

[911boost]

I have had an RV of some sort since the early 2000's. Always multiple 12V deep cycles.

My toy hauler had a generator and an inboard charger, I would get about 5 years out of the batteries. More if I unhooked them and kept them in the garage on a tender over the winter. I always had the best luck with Interstate batteries from the local Interstate dealer. The secret is unhooking them if not using the RV, as there will be something that drains them. Unless you have solar.

My Super C has two 6v batteries, with solar, and a diesel generator. It is hard to make a comparison between the 6V and 12V because everything on the Super C runs off the batteries, whereas I could use propane for the old fridge etc.

When camping in the warmer weather and not using tank heaters (which draw a ton of power) the solar is enough to keep the batteries in good shape. During the winter months when I use it off grid I do need to run the generator some. There is room for 2 more 6V and I may upgrade to that.

[rfuerst911sc]

Today I took a closer look at the battery box I purchased and the one installed in the camper . The boxes are both bigger than the Group 24 battery. Both boxes measure 12.5 " wide x 7.250 " deep and 10 " high . That means I can move up to Group 27 batteries .

The Duracell 6 volt batteries that I linked above will also fit , the height might be tight as the boxes are enclosed with a vent hose . But if I go AGM venting is not an issue . Time to do a little more research