Community Forums

bassoneman · 04-15-2012, 09:16 PM

I have one right now but I am thinking of adding a second one.. I have a boat and I use two house batteries but it also powers the refrigerator... I don't have a generator on the boat. but I build 180watt solar panels that that charge up the batteries. Actually the boat has 4 batteries two for house and two for the engine. And the solar panel charges them all..

dashdriver · 04-15-2012, 09:50 PM

My MH has 4 6v house batteries and 2 12v chassis batteries

Mr_D · 04-15-2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashdriver

My MH has 4 6v house batteries and 2 12v chassis batteries

Same here, two months ago I finally replaced the OEM batteries after almost 10 years of use.

Steve N Sal · 04-15-2012, 10:02 PM

We have two 6V house batteries.

Wanabee FTer · 04-15-2012, 10:50 PM

It's not how many batteries you have, but more like how many amps can you store.
My logic is cram as much battery power you can within the space you have.

Having said that I only had room for 3 group 27 deep cycle 12V batteries at 125 amps each (375 total amps) and one group 24 starting battery. Much better then the 2 group 24 house batteries I had before with 170 amps total.

BryanL · 04-16-2012, 08:46 AM

re: "It's not how many batteries you have, but more like how many amps can you store."

it's watt hours, energy, that you store in batteries.

For lead acid batteries, there are about 12 usable watt hours per pound of battery.

Nowadays, most TT's start with about 100 to 150# of batteries. Larger MoHo's often double that and the biggest ones might carry up to 500# of batteries. That's a range of about 1 kwh to maybe 10 kwh in energy storage.

For reference, an RV battery needs to have a reserve such that it will supply 2 or 3 days off grid. Typical small house or RV in a park energy use is 20 to 30 kwh per day.

scenic route · 04-16-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Same here, two months ago I finally replaced the OEM batteries after almost 10 years of use.

This is encouraging news, our four 6V house batts are working on their seventh year. Whenever we store the RV or drive a long distance, the EMS battery condition lights are either in the red or yellow...takes about a half hour of shore power to bring them back up into the green. Maybe an indication that we'll be purchasing new batteries in the near future?

(U-2200s rated at 232 amp hrs. ea. @ 20 hrs.) Bob

desertrv · 04-16-2012, 09:57 AM

It is time to replace the house batteries. I have 3, 12v interstate for the house and one gave out and would not stop bubbling over. I bypassed that battery, the rear battery, until I decide what battery to use to. I am going to 6v. I believe that I have enough space for 4 in the house tray, and 2 in the chassis tray. These trays are stacked on sliders in the same location. The only issue that I see is being able to service the rear batteries, especially if the replacement batteries are tall. When I bought this MH, the rear battery was dry, I believe that is the reason the battery went south. I did get 2 years service before it died. Space is tight enough that I must use a mirror and flashlight to service the battery.

RickO · 04-16-2012, 10:04 AM

We use three 12v house and two 12v chassis batteries.

kketterling · 04-16-2012, 10:53 AM

We use 8 6v house and two 12v chassis batteries. Plus have 6 solar panels each 135 watts. Probably overkill but can run all the appliances without starting the generator and dry camp for weeks on end as long as the sun shines.

BryanL · 04-16-2012, 01:16 PM

on a thread like this, do be careful about the exceptions - as it is those that you'll hear about rather than the norms (people do like to brag!)

For a better sample, you might want to take a run through an RV park or campground.

Mr_D · 04-16-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scenic route

This is encouraging news, our four 6V house batts are working on their seventh year. Whenever we store the RV or drive a long distance, the EMS battery condition lights are either in the red or yellow...takes about a half hour of shore power to bring them back up into the green. Maybe an indication that we'll be purchasing new batteries in the near future?

(U-2200s rated at 232 amp hrs. ea. @ 20 hrs.) Bob

Our house batteries were and are again, U-2200's. I expect these to last another 9-10 years too.

Mr_D · 04-16-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanL

on a thread like this, do be careful about the exceptions - as it is those that you'll hear about rather than the norms (people do like to brag!)

For a better sample, you might want to take a run through an RV park or campground.

Or "listen" to the people here that have actual experience.

Senior Chief · 04-16-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertrv

It is time to replace the house batteries. I have 3, 12v interstate for the house and one gave out and would not stop bubbling over. I bypassed that battery, the rear battery, until I decide what battery to use to. I am going to 6v. I believe that I have enough space for 4 in the house tray, and 2 in the chassis tray. These trays are stacked on sliders in the same location. The only issue that I see is being able to service the rear batteries, especially if the replacement batteries are tall. When I bought this MH, the rear battery was dry, I believe that is the reason the battery went south. I did get 2 years service before it died. Space is tight enough that I must use a mirror and flashlight to service the battery.

Spent $50 or $60 on a Pro Fill system- makes servicing your batteries super easy and convenient. You won't have a battery go dry again and you can throw away the mirror and flashlight.

Our 4 6v batteries are a bear to get to; once a month, we hook up the distilled water jug and with 2 pumps of the hand squeeze pump- done in 2 minutes.