Community Forums

iMaki · 03-20-2014, 10:55 AM

I never seem to get enough from my group 24 or group 27 batteries and am looking to step it up within reason. I'm looking at 2 setups:

1) Two 6 Volt Interstate golf cart batteries in parallel.

2) One group D27M blue top Optima 12 volt battery.

I know Trojan makes a good 6 volt, but Dealer sells Interstate, and this is for a new camper already on order. Quick charging time is also important. Feedback appreciated!

dennis45 · 03-20-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki

I never seem to get enough from my group 24 or group 27 batteries and am looking to step it up within reason. I'm looking at 2 setups:

1) Two 6 Volt Interstate golf cart batteries in parallel.

2) One group D27M blue top Optima 12 volt battery.

I know Trojan makes a good 6 volt, but Dealer sells Interstate, and this is for a new camper already on order. Quick charging time is also important. Feedback appreciated!

Two good 6V Deep Cycle Batteries is your best solution.

rgvtexan · 03-20-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMaki

I never seem to get enough from my group 24 or group 27 batteries and am looking to step it up within reason. I'm looking at 2 setups:

1) Two 6 Volt Interstate golf cart batteries in parallel.

2) One group D27M blue top Optima 12 volt battery.

I know Trojan makes a good 6 volt, but Dealer sells Interstate, and this is for a new camper already on order. Quick charging time is also important. Feedback appreciated!

If you put the 6volt GC batteries in parallel, you will have 6 volts, you want to put the 2 6 volts in series for 12 volts.

The 2 GC batteries will give you the most bang for the buck and are true deep cycle. Most gp 24/27 are not.

WrongWayRand · 03-20-2014, 12:51 PM

You'll hear a lot of feedback on this - some people prefer one solution while others prefer another. I myself would choose the pair of new 6v Trojans (T-105 is a good choice in my experience) They weigh in at about 125lbs for the pair and are larger form factor than a G24 battery, but the capacity will be significant. Do you know how many amp hours you will be using, even approximately?

If you really only want to do a little better than the dealer supplied HD24-DP battery (or similar) you could improve a bit by going with either the blue top or an SRM__ which has a little more reserve capacity. If you want to get significantly more capacity you'll need to go to a pair of batteries (you can pair up 12v to gain capacity too, just wired differently) The Interstate site has charts for all the different batteries, including the blue top you listed, so you can compare what they have to offer and see how large/heavy they will be.

- Randy

iMaki · 03-20-2014, 01:11 PM

Yes, I meant in series. Now that I know two 6 volts can add up to 125 lbs, I'm inclined to go blue top Optima which is far less weight. I can't afford to add unnecessary tongue weight. I'm already pushing it.

BendOR · 03-20-2014, 04:07 PM

You are going to get less AH from the Blue Top than you did with your group 24, 66ah vs ~75ah.

Optima Marine Battery Blue Top D27M

Going to 2 x 6v's will give you over 200 ah. Seems that is far from "unnecessary."

vsheetz · 03-20-2014, 04:16 PM

I myself would choose the pair of new 6v Trojans (T-105 is a good choice in my experience)

marcham · 03-20-2014, 05:46 PM

1. There's no need for an Optima, they will give you less power per $ than your other options. They are designed for very high vibration environments such as tanks and off road vehicles.

2. Do you have a Costco nearby? Their gc2 golf cart 6v are pretty good for the money.

3. I'd avoid Interstate, last I checked they don't make true deep cycle batteries, they make marine hybrids (which is indicated by the CCA rating on their batteries). A true flooded lead acid will not have a CCA rating. I 've had 2 fail in the first 2 year of ownership despite above average maintenance. Dealers sell them because they are a high margin product (most consumers can't differentiate between a good and bad battery).

4. Trojan makes a good battery but costs more.

Flooded batteries require regular maintenance. Whatever you end up with check the water level often, only top off with distilled or rain water (never tap or regular store bought water), check the specific gravity of each cell at least twice a year, equalize it at least once a year and avoid discharging it below 50% capacity (about 12.0v at the battery with no load applied).

Get the dealer to throw in the boxes, straps and jumper if you bring your own batteries.

2 6v would be wired in series to get 12v, 2 12v would be wired in parallel to increase capacity. Check out battery university dot com.

dagmandt · 03-21-2014, 07:52 AM

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I ended up with two 6v Crown batteries. I use an Iota 55amp 15.5v charger and can charge my batteries in 2 hours or less. I get 4 days out of them when dry camping. That includes watching a bit of TV, heat at night, power awning, power stabilizers, power tongue jack, LED lights, radio etc...

Clubhouse · 03-23-2014, 09:32 PM

I'll take the minority position on this topic…

I recently left dual GC2 for dual Grp24. Just posted another comment about this so here is be shortened version….

- found I didn't need such a larger Amp Hour Bank
- Too heavy and awkward to continue to pull and replace from my TT -- I store my batteries on a battery tender when not in use and my TT is not kept at home.
- with dual 12V, one fails and you can still operate. With Dual 6V, one fails and you are replacing both.

Dual G24 = ~170AHr
Dual GC2 = ~220AHr

Start by figuring out about much do you need before recharging.