12V vs 6V House batteries

[Knot-Fly'n]

Would like some input on replaceing the 4 6v battries with 2 12v batteries. We don't do a lot of dry camping. Has anyone replaced the 6v with 12v batteries?
Thanks,
Keith
Knot-Fly'n
2005 DSDP 3815 cummins 370 ISL

[BryanL]

The voltage of the battery makes no difference. How much energy storage capacity there is depends upon the weight (size) of your batteries.

There is a lot of argument about 6v in series versus 12v in parallel but, if you look at actual pertinent measure, there is no difference performance-wise.

Do get batteries that will fit in the space you have in your battery box with the terminal position and type you need for your wiring. Do purchase from a reputable retailer who sells a lot to folks like you and stands behind what he sells. Use specifications, cost, and warranty as your guide.

Be very very careful about the personal anecdotes people toss into these discussions or the hype about marketing labels (terms without clear empirical definition supported by pertinent measure). There is a lot of bull very strongly asserted on this topic and I suggest using measures that someone (manufacturer, retailer) will put their money on be your guide rather than what someone says. Use objective measures of good quality pertinent to your needs.

Also keep in mind there is no magic bullet. Electrical energy storage in an RV is quite limited. The first issue to address is your battery charging and maintaining (converter) equipment. You need a converter that is smart enough to provide multiple stage charging and to support a maintenance storage mode that will keep a full charge and apply a technique to inhibit sulfation.

The second issue is your habits in using battery energy. Don't discharge too deep, recharge promptly and vigorously (e.g. with the proper converter), keep the batteries out of the heat, and treat them right.

Another consideration is to keep in mind that the available energy from a battery will change by more than 10% from each of variables like cycle to cycle variation, age, use profile, and temperature. Getting 'anal' about differences within 10% to 20% might be fun but has little practical value.

And if you don't use batteries much, there's no sense having a lot of them. It doesn't hurt to replace 4 with 1 and long as the bank voltage is the same. Then, if you find you run short on battery energy needs, you can always add another.

[Knot-Fly'n]

Thanks BryanL for the info. Thinking about replaceing the 4 6v with 2 12v.

Knot-Fly'n

[bigdale]

Just for thought, I am replacing my 2- 12 volts with 4- 6 volts. The 6 volts will outlast the 12 volts by many years if you take care of them. You may not boondock but every time you camp and plug in your motorhome, your converter is charging your battery. I know we use fans and lights etc, that are all using the battery. You might do some research on this site in the solar or battery sections. This is what opened my eyes. Good Luck.

[wa8yxm]

I am one of the strongest Six Volt fans here but Bryan has it right.. A lot of the differences are myth. There is one difference that stands out as valid and I will cover it.

COST!

When I refer to 2 sixes here I mean two GC-2 220 amp hour six volt batteries.
Some myths: Six volt will give you more power.
Sixes in series v/s 2 Group 24 in parallel 220 amp hours to around 150 yes sixes have more

Group 29, (about 100 amp hours each) sixes still win
Group 31 (About 125 amp hours each) 12 volt win

8-D (220 amp hours each) .... (The sixes re easier to carry)

Pound for pound they have the same amount of amp hours

At one time 12 volt DEEP CYCLE were hard to find in a reasonable size (I have found them in very large sizes but not in one I"d care to pick up, 8D is about the limit there)

and I do not care how many people say "No differnece" I have done the reserch I have seen the batteries and there is a difference there. But today Deep cycle in all the sizes I mentioned above can be found.

But the cost factor is still in facor of the GC-2 from Sam's Club Best bang for your buck.