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Vanslam · 04-07-2018, 08:30 PM

Well I finally made the move and I am replacing my stock (2) 12 volt house batteries with (2) 6 volt replacements. After a couple of overnight parking events with no plug in service during cold months and the inability of not being able to run my furnace overnight with out killing my batteries I decided to bite the bullet. Yes I know I could have run my generator but I did not want to. I got 2 carquest GC2 batteries. I have a set of 2 of these batteries in my shed 200W solar setup, which have been doing an outstanding job. After 3 years the batteries still maintain a max charge and the hydrometer readings shows the cells are like new. I will now be looking forward to more light boon docking experience and experimenting.

marjoa · 04-08-2018, 06:25 AM

How many ah's do these batteries have?
How will you be recharging them while doing "light boon docking"?

Ljwt330 · 04-08-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

How many ah's do these batteries have?

This is my question as well^^.

You had two 12v batteries, wired in parallel which effectively doubled the AH capacity of a single 12v battery--what was the AH rating (or reserve capacity, if you want to use that measure) of that paired set?

You now have two 6v batteries, wired in series, to provide a 12v source. Your AH capacity is now dependent on the AH rating of a single 6v battery.

Is the AH capacity of a single 6v battery equal to or greater than your old 12v paired set up?

Mr_D · 04-08-2018, 10:46 AM

Seems like the OP may have gone backwards, but we don't know yet.

twinboat · 04-08-2018, 12:39 PM

There is a more then good chance that the 12 volt batteries he removed were not deep cycle and no more then 90 AH each, if that.

In all my shopping for batteries, flooded GC2s are all at 205 AH or more.

In the worst case, he broke even with AH capacity and now has batteries that can take deep cycles many more times.

Vanslam · 04-08-2018, 02:02 PM

Marjoa - Ah 215, light boon docking = overnight. My current batteries do not last overnight with the furnace on they end up below 11.9 after a couple of hours.

Ljwt330 my old batteries did not have the capacity of my new ones.

Looking forward to see what kind of performance I get going forward.

Shadrach · 04-08-2018, 07:40 PM

I have run dual 6 volts ( GC2 or U2200 ) on the front of my TT for years. If I could put 4 I would but no room without modifications. I have 205 watts of solar to keep them charged. I would not go back to 12 volts. Since camping season up here is only about 5 months they keep charged up with the sun. In the winter I remove them and put them on the bench in an unheated garage and put the battery charger on for 24 hours once a month. I can get 7 years out of a set this way.

The only real draw back to 6 volts is if 1 goes dead so are you. ALWAYS replace them in pairs and top them up with distilled water AFTER they are fully charged up so they don't overflow from expansion due to charging.

David

Smitty77 · 04-08-2018, 11:14 PM

Expensive. But for some applications, I believe the 12V Trojan T-1275's are worth a look. X's 2 = 300AH's. Say vs X's2 GC2 6V = 205AH's.

Opinions willvary

! And OP, go have some fun...
Smitty

ernest917 · 04-10-2018, 04:15 PM

I have 4-6 volt golf cart batteries wired-in-series and they work fantastically...... Also installed a water monitoring system on them which totally stopped boil overs and makes it a snap to ck water levels and add water as needed on all 4 batteries....

Kiawah · 04-11-2018, 06:05 AM

There is less wasted cell partition space inside the battery, and therefore the plates are thicker in a 6v.

A 12v battery is approx 90-100 amp hrs each, for 180-200 ah@12v in total storage. A 6v battery is approx 220 amp hrs, but it takes 2 in series for 220 ah@12v.

Numbers are all specific battery dependent, but generally speaking a 6v battery bank can have more amphrs storage than an equivalent footprint 12v bank.

wstalker · 04-11-2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernest917

I have 4-6 volt golf cart batteries wired-in-series and they work fantastically...... Also installed a water monitoring system on them which totally stopped boil overs and makes it a snap to ck water levels and add water as needed on all 4 batteries....

I assume you mean 4 batteries wired in a series/parallel manner. 4 in series would put out 24 volts.

RetiredBob · 04-13-2018, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Expensive. But for some applications, I believe the 12V Trojan T-1275's are worth a look. X's 2 = 300AH's. Say vs X's2 GC2 6V = 205AH's.

Smitty

What applications? I found a source for $220 each, free shipping.

Rsponsford · 04-14-2018, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredBob

What applications? I found a source for $220 each, free shipping.

I replaced my two 8D’s with 6 golf cart batteries from Costco wired in series/parallel. They were about $85 each and have been a huge improvement. Capacity went from 440ah to 630ah and couldn’t be happier with the results. I did have to add 1.5” to the depth of the battery tray as the footprint in just slightly larger. One of the best upgrades I’ve done to my coach.

If you’re considering this modification be sure to measure not only the width and depth but the height profile with cables and connectors. As I mentioned, I had to add a little depth to the tray and the height just barely clears the door. Different brand batteries will have varying dimensions although similar. I could have just gone with four 6v batteries without modifying the battery tray but I have a wife and three daughters. I would install 12 of these batteries if I had the space.