Battery brands

[kcmusa]

just want to replace the cheap battery I received with my TT,
so i am looking at a 12 100ah battery, anyone have experience with these brands;
Lifeline
Power Sonic
MK
Trojan
universal

[movin-on]

No experience with any except Trojan...Very good batteries...
Just an FYI, there are 4 companies in the US that make most of the lead acid batteries for all (Walmart..Napa...etc..)...They are Trojan, Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls. That's it, so check to see who makes the other batteries on your list...

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by kcmusa

just want to replace the cheap battery I received with my TT,
so i am looking at a 12 100ah battery, anyone have experience with these brands;
Lifeline
Power Sonic
MK
Trojan
universal

I would recommend getting 2 6 volt deep cycle batteries and run them in series for 220AH at 12 volts. A 12 volt 100AH battery is not going to give you much time for anything. And don't waste your money on a marine deep cycle because it is no better than a regular 12 volt battery in my opinion.

[vsheetz]

What is your usage? Do you dry camp, if so how much? If dry camping not a consideration then capacity not much a consideration. Then suggest to consider the Walmart Marine battery. Inexpensive, good warranty, warranty serviceable anywhere. Put a pair into my son's Motorhome a couple three years ago. Get the job done for him.

[mbridinger]

Originally Posted by 530ktm

I would recommend getting 2 6 volt deep cycle batteries and run them in series for 220AH at 12 volts. A 12 volt 100AH battery is not going to give you much time for anything. And don't waste your money on a marine deep cycle because it is no better than a regular 12 volt battery in my opinion.

X2.

[kcmusa]

usage will be some dry camping for a weekend or 3 days.
have a pair of Yamaha gens so i can recharge from them.
just need some lights, radio and if cold furnace. fridge and water heater on propane.
I was thinking one 12v to start then i can always add another to double my AH to 200 if needed.
and I have a small 100w solar panel, portable.

[1bigmess]

The 100w solar panel probably won't be able to keep up with the furnace if you are in cold weather.

100w / 12.6v = less than 8 amps, and any losses reduce that further, then there are lights and radio on top of that. It would be close, especially if the daylight period is short or obscured by trees, etc.

Don't run the battery(ies) down below 60% state of charge to keep them healthy. A rare trip to 50% won't kill them, but it won't make them stronger, either.

Knowing what your various devices and lights use, your battery capacity, and monitoring the state of charge will help keep the batteries, and you, happier.

[Shadowcatche]

We have a 150AH Lifeline AGM supplied by a 185W high voltage solar panel. I monitor the SOC with a Victron battery monitor and have not been below 50% Concord, the parent company supplies a lot of Mil spec and aircraft batteris.

[dix39]

We've used the WalMart marine battery mentioned above in 27 series to power our 11.5' camper for the last several replacement cycles, which seems to be about every 2 or 3 years ,with satisfaction. It is very seldom plugged in except for recharging at home and seems to go for 3 or 4 days when dry camping between generator runs. When travelling the engine alt. keeps it charged. About the only draw on it is lights, starting the various propane appliances, and the heater when travelling. When dry camped we use a catalytic heater. Our "new to us" MH has two 6volts which we haven't had time to evaluate for comparison yet, but I suspect need to be replaced. I'm leaning toward 230 AH Duracells at Batteries Plus Bulbs, but haven't really decided yet. Earlier in our camping experience I had some Trojans and wasn't all that pleased with them, but that was probably 25 or 30 years ago, and I don't even remember why.

Best of luck with the choice.

Steve

[SkiSmuggs]

After a year, I got rid of my inadequate Grp 24 and replaced with a Kirkland (Costco) Grp 27 with 115AH. That lasted for 3 days of dry camping with light furnace use. I liked dry camping so much, I replaced that with two Trojan T-105 GC2 batteries in series for 220AH and that is my recommendation.

[dagmandt]

Consider two 6v Crown batteries. True deep cycle batteries, I have 260Ah's and love it.

[pasdad1]

Two of these wired in series are a good solution.

[Bug512]

I am also due for two batteries this year. Our Decka's are 5+ years old. They showed their age this fall while boondocking and running the furnace at night.

I looked at the prices at Sam's Club on the Duracells, Looks like they are manufactured by East Penn Link

When I worked for Johnson Controls we could get Optima's for $50-$75, that was cheap.

[Smitty77]

OP - As extra insurance, and as mentioned, going with X's 2 6V would be worth considering. If you have the headroom in your battery storage, the Trojan T125 and T145 produce that much more power, and yeah, cost that much more too! Over say the T105.

In addition to the makers of batteries mentioned above, two other well though of batter makers are Concorde (They make Lifeline, as I understand it.) and Rolls batteries are also well thought of, and popular in the boating community. I've also been following the results of those that are installing the Chinese built Full River AGM's, so far good results have been most of the feed back.

Wet, AGM, Lithium? Of course Wet is the lowest cost entry point, and tried and true, and should serve your needs well. AGM's have an advantage of accepting a faster charge, holding a charge longer while not in use, and maintenance free. (You may need to upgrade our charging system to support AGM's., or perhaps not!). Lithium, have really dropped in price, but for your application probably not needed.

And I agree with the input to plan on staying above 60% SOC. I personally oversized our battery bank amp hour capacity, to try to remain within the 70-75% SOC levels. Battery life, is all about battery life cycles. And that is simple math of in/out of usage/charging.

Best of luck to you, and have fun!
Smitty