12 volt parallel vs. 2 6-volt series batteries

[nascar-co]

What are the advantages of 2 6-volt batteries in series vs two 12 volt batteries in parallel?
I am looking at wanting to increase the battery life between charges.
When needing to run the heat with the blower a single 12 volt will not get me through the night so I have to run the gen to keep all working and recharge the current deep cycle 12 volt battery.
Thanks for any help in advance

[nascar-co]

What are the advantages of 2 6-volt batteries in series vs two 12 volt batteries in parallel?
I am looking at wanting to increase the battery life between charges.
When needing to run the heat with the blower a single 12 volt will not get me through the night so I have to run the gen to keep all working and recharge the current deep cycle 12 volt battery.
Thanks for any help in advance

[Ray,IN]

You'll find hours of reading on this subject by running a search from the box at the top of the main forum page. Ths short version is: group 29 continous use battery from walmart has (I think) 210AH capacity. T105 golf cart batteris have a little more capacity, and last years longer. The drawback is they weigh 66# each, and usually cost more because they are sturdier built. For the best battery option check out this DEKA modular battery. It has a capacity of 1,350AH, putting deep cycle and golf cart batteries to shame. Expensive, Yes. You really do get what you pay for!

[richardcoxid]

Log on to http://www.phrannie.org/ he has a whole chapter on 12V systems

[nascar-co]

Thanks I like the information on the phrannie.org site.
Man are those DEKA batteries $$$$$

[GStream40]

Here is a link to a website that will tell you everything you wanted to know about deep cycle batteries and more.

Battery FAQ

Ron

[Lorna]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nascar-co:
Thanks I like the information on the phrannie.org site.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Then you may want to save the webpages for future reference, perhaps on a CD-ROM.

[max49]

I know this thread is 1172 days old but I either bring it back to life or start a new thread, so here's my question.

I have 2- 6 volt batteries now and they are more than 5 years old. It seems they don't last as long as they used to. So I will change them soon.
My battery box has room for 3 batteries. Obviously I can't use 3- 6 volt batteries in series. However, I could use 3- 12 volt batteries in parallel.
So my choices are 2- 6 volt or 3 12 volt batteries. Which would be better?

[deandec]

I changed from 2, 8D, 12V batteries to 4, 6v Trojan Golf Cart batteries.

I gained marginal amp hours (420 vs 440) , but at least I could lift the 6V batteries to clean the battery compartment.

[Gary RVRoamer]

6V vs 12v is not the issue - it's the quality of the deep cycle battery involved. These days 6v's are golf cart batteries, designed from the ground up to be rugged and deep-cycled repeatedly. Most 12v's you can buy are essentially 12v starting batteries, perhaps with some improvements for better deep cycle performance, but not fundamentally different in design.

But amp-hours is what you need so 3 x 12v is the way to go in your case. Trojan and Lifeline make some pretty darn good 12v deep cycles, but they are really pricey. The Minnkota brand 12v deep cycle, made by Johnson Controls, isn't too shabby and the price is far better (available at Walmarts). They probably won't last 5 years like your 6v golf carts, though.

[Dr4Film]

I agree with RV Roamer, in your case you need the most AH's (ampere hours) as possible found in a 12 volt deep cycle battery. So when you are looking, compare the AH's and size, usually the heftier AH batteries are the largest ones too. Size goes hand in hand with AH's.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[max49]

Thanks guys, I'll check the prices, amp hrs, and availability locally and make my decision.

[wa8yxm]

I see very little difference provided the batteries are of equal capacity and quality.. Baically it's one jumper wire (to hook 2 in series) or 2 (to hook two in parallel) and that is the only major difference. page 2

However, up till rather recently finding good 12 volt deep cycle batteries was not easy to do.. Today it's easier and it will get easier as time goes on.

Still, I think you should look at the cost, Often you can find six volt golf car batteries at fairly low prices compared to the same (220) number of amp hours worth of 12 volt.

And that. is the major difference right there.

Do remember if the battery says "Marine" on it (even if Marine is followed by /Deep Cycle) that is a starting battery.. Now, 110 amp hours of battery is 110 amp hours of battery,, but if you run 'em down too far real deep cycle batteries are more likely to recover than starting batteries are.. NOT guaranteed to.. just more likely to)

[Bob&AnnaMari]

Max,
We just attended a seminar on this subject. For house batteries (flooded) the 12v models just don't have the plate thickness necessary to make them good for a deep-cycle application. As stated above, stick with the 6 volt deep cycle batteries.

Bob Stokesbary
2003 Beaver Patriot