6 volt house batteries

[jlmoss]

I have a 2004 inspire. It has a 4 d chassis battery and 4 6 volt house batteries. I believe this is how it came from the factory. I need to replace house batteries. Has anyone replaced the 6 volts with a 4d or 8d 12 volt battery. Seems to me this would eliminate several jumper wires and be more cost effective.

[Rook]

The reason that four 6 volt batteries (usually marine grade) are used for House Batteries is for the extended current capability they provide, not for cost effectiveness or fewer wires. Rook

[Selah]

For house batteries it's all about true deep cycle and amp-hour capability. Typically you get the most amp-hours for the least cost using 6 volt deep cycle, sometimes referred to as golf cart batteries.
Beware of so called Marine Deep Cycle batteries. Most, not all, are not true deep cycle but a hybrid of starting and deep cycle. They will have a shorter life span when used as a house battery.
Due yor research.

[twinboat]

There are 8 d batteries rated at 220 ah, the same as a pair of gc2's, but like others have said they are "deep cycle/start" hybrid batteries.

They will have a shorter cycle life then true deep cycle batteries. I also believe the footprint of 2, 8 d's would be larger then 4, gc2's and boy are the heavy to move around.

If you don't boondock much, you could slide a 4d in place of 4, 6 volt batteries and be fine for years. But you can buy 2 gc2's for around 100 bucks a piece.

[wa8yxm]

Each pair of Six Volt is about the same, electrically, as a 4D so you would need Two 4Ds (8Ds are a bit smaller actually but only a little bit)

Each 4D will weigh at least 2x what the GC2s weigh and cost 3X.

And the GC-2 is a DEEP CYCLE, you can get 4Ds that are but those are even MORE expensive.

So yes, you can do it.. But it's going to cost you and there is NO advantage to doing it that way.

[gsander1]

8D DIMENSIONS IN INCHES*: 20.75" 11" 11" LxWxH
4D DIMENSIONS IN INCHES*: 20.5" 8.13" 10" LxWxH

8D is larger than 4D and generally about 10% more capacity.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Rook

The reason that four 6 volt batteries (usually marine grade) are used for House Batteries is for the extended current capability they provide, not for cost effectiveness or fewer wires. Rook

Ok, I'll bite.. what is:

extended current capability

[garbonz]

Sorry, but 4D or 8D deep cycle batteries are awesome, have nice BIG cells like the 6 volt deep cycles that are more common. Problem and the ONLY problem is that they are frickin heavy (like 140 lbs). Trojan makes outstanding Gel and AGM versions but not flooded any more. Some other folks make them tho.

No real advantage over the good 6 volt GC-2 or similar size.

Personally, if I had 4 6-volt then that is what I'd stick with.

[Mr_D]

Our rig has 4 8D AGM batteries and room for two more. Right now I'm in the process of deciding whether to spend about $500 EACH for new ones or going to 8 GC-2 wet cells and rewiring. 2 GC-2's cost less than half what an 8D AGM goes for even including the new cables.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Our rig has 4 8D AGM batteries and room for two more. Right now I'm in the process of deciding whether to spend about $500 EACH for new ones or going to 8 GC-2 wet cells and rewiring. 2 GC-2's cost less than half what an 8D AGM goes for even including the new cables.

If I were going to try to increase my house battery capacity, I would go with L16s if I could.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[2 Stroker]

Originally Posted by jlmoss

I have a 2004 inspire. It has a 4 d chassis battery and 4 6 volt house batteries. I believe this is how it came from the factory. I need to replace house batteries. Has anyone replaced the 6 volts with a 4d or 8d 12 volt battery. Seems to me this would eliminate several jumper wires and be more cost effective.

I have the same setup but my chassis battery is an 8-D and when I have to remove it I will use a motor hoist that I have to get it out of that hole. Just remember to take pictures before you pull the 4, 6v batteries to get the wiring right.
When it comes time to replacing my 6v batteries I will add 2 more because there is room to the left of the 4.
2 stroker

[pasdad1]

These are a good choice.......except don't expect to save money with the switch.

[gsander1]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Our rig has 4 8D AGM batteries and room for two more. Right now I'm in the process of deciding whether to spend about $500 EACH for new ones or going to 8 GC-2 wet cells and rewiring. 2 GC-2's cost less than half what an 8D AGM goes for even including the new cables.

You're right, Mr D, about the cost. If you switch to wet cells be prepared for some amount of oxidation in your battery bay. I made the switch to wet cells and the result is a no longer pristine battery bay. I don't mind the maintenance as I only service the bats three times a year. But, I could do without the rust. Next time I think I'll return to AGM after a good wire brushing and painting.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by gsander1

You're right, Mr D, about the cost. If you switch to wet cells be prepared for some amount of oxidation in your battery bay. I made the switch to wet cells and the result is a no longer pristine battery bay. I don't mind the maintenance as I only service the bats three times a year. But, I could do without the rust. Next time I think I'll return to AGM after a good wire brushing and painting.

In 2004 I put 4 oz of mineral oil in each cell of my 2002 Dutch Star's U-2200 OEM Interstate's. After 6 years I had very little corrosion and then only on the unprotected metal of the hold down straps. The batteries lasted 10 years and were still good enough to get us through the night at that point.