Community Forums

Belgian · 06-13-2006, 07:50 AM

I have a 2004 Dolphin on W22 chassis. The dual 6V house batteries need to be replaced. What are the pros/cons of installing dual 12V deep cycle batteries instead of 6v deep cycle? I know the 12V will need to be installed in parallel (+ to +)(- to-) not in series (+ to -)(+ to -).

Belgian · 06-13-2006, 07:50 AM

I have a 2004 Dolphin on W22 chassis. The dual 6V house batteries need to be replaced. What are the pros/cons of installing dual 12V deep cycle batteries instead of 6v deep cycle? I know the 12V will need to be installed in parallel (+ to +)(- to-) not in series (+ to -)(+ to -).

"007" · 06-13-2006, 09:11 AM

Belgian, welcome to irv2

Why do you say you have to replace your 6 volt batts. My 02 coach has the same 6 volt batts and still funtion ok. You can replace them with 12 volt but if your 6's were not keeping a charge your 12's may not either. You should check you chargeing ckt's from GEN, converter and while MH engine is running to see if all are sending charge to your batts. Also check ground wires from batteries to frame,GEN to frame and converter. You may have a loose or dirty connection for a ground some where.

Belgian · 06-13-2006, 05:03 PM

Than2s 007, I did check the charing from gen. engine & solar. The engine is putting out between 14.5 after start up to 13.7 after warm up. The gen puts out 13.5. We just purchsed the MH in Jan. When I got it home I checked everything with a fine tooth comb and found one of the 6V batteries low on water. I refilled the batteries and put them on a charger under med. charge. We have been on several trips since then but never dry camping. We just returned from a trip to Joshua Tree and Palm Spings. We were dry camping in Joshua Tree and having problems with the batteries going dead within a few hours with just a few lights on. When we reurned home I recharged the batteries and load tested them. One checked OK the other tested bad. Sooooo, thats the reason I am changing them. I already had 2 new 12V deep cycle batteries in the garage that will fit in the tray very nicely. I have been reading alot of the posts and have learned alot. I see your 007 quit a bit. Thanks for all the great advice and sharing your wisdom

RV Wizard · 06-13-2006, 11:38 PM

Belgian, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here. Ususally you will get more amp hours out of two 6 volt batteries in series than with two 12 volt batteries in parrallel. There is a lot to take into consideration; one would be the cost and since you already have two new 12 volt then I don't see anything wrong with using them for the time being. When they need replacing you may change to 6 volts then. Do some research with the manufacturer of batteries and you will find 50 pages or more of very good technical information about all kinds of batteries; the best being the AGM's. Good luck and enjoy!

eghershey · 06-18-2006, 09:37 AM

Since you already have the pair of 12 volt batteries, I'd go ahead and use them, but they will be somewhat less effecient than two "good" 6 volt deep cycles. I've had a MH with four 12 volt deep cycles and now I have four 6 volt deep cycles and I'd never go back to 12 volt batteries again. YMMV

Rob Hentges · 06-20-2006, 05:04 PM

I am not familiar with the later model RV's. I do alot of dry camping with my '93 class A. My two 6V batteries will run the heater fan all night long in 15 degree weather. However, before replacing my converter/charger, I did not have such good performance from my batteries. I think the stock converter was overcharging them. You mentioned one battery was low on fluid. Perhaps yours were being overcharged too. I replaced my stock converter with one that uses the Battery Wizard to charge and maintain the batteries.

http://www.bestconverter.com/product...id=12&catid=39

upgrading from a magnetek 63xx series:
http://home.comcast.net/%7Erabarber/magnetek2.htm

Smokyjoe · 06-21-2006, 03:38 PM

I was looking at various battiers and came upon this one {8A8D AGM (12V,257AH) RV Battery}
Cost $520.35. What do you think.

RV Wizard · 06-21-2006, 11:43 PM

In my opinion (with it and a $1, I can get a cup of coffee), if one does a lot of dry camping an AGM battery bank is the best way to go. I would also do homework on the brand. Lifeline from what I have heard is very good. Here is a link to help, http://www.dcbattery.com/faq.html