Community Forums

motofamily · 07-21-2010, 11:05 PM

We have a 2006 Coachmen Cross Country and when we are "boondocking" we really only use the lights, tv, and satelite or DVD player. My first question is since we are prob due to replace our coach batteries which brand is best? What size should I get? And I guess the final question is do I need to add anything else to make the TV loads any easier on the batteries like maybe one of those battery backups for a computer? We use our generator alot to run the ac or to keep the fan running on the furnance as the furnance fan seems to drain the battery quick. Just asking you guys are all so great and thanks in advance for the help.

Possum · 07-22-2010, 12:31 AM

I'm no expert but a few years ago when I had a similar problem of quick battery discharge in our TT I was told to replace the single 12 volt battery we had with two 6 volt batteries in series and since doing that we have actually been a week at a time between charges, albeit not while using the TV.

I have since moved to a MH and have installed two 6 volt there as well and with a tad of work I will be able to install two more to double the time it takes to drain the batteries down. Some units may not have the space available to install 4 batteries but we were lucky this time.

DAN L · 07-22-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motofamily

We have a 2006 Coachmen Cross Country and when we are "boondocking" we really only use the lights, tv, and satelite or DVD player. My first question is since we are prob due to replace our coach batteries which brand is best? What size should I get? And I guess the final question is do I need to add anything else to make the TV loads any easier on the batteries like maybe one of those battery backups for a computer? We use our generator alot to run the ac or to keep the fan running on the furnance as the furnance fan seems to drain the battery quick. Just asking you guys are all so great and thanks in advance for the help.

it depends on how much room you have and how much money you want to spend on batteries.

imo the best batteries are lifeline agm batteries. kinda expensive though. agm batteries don't need to be installed top side up. mine are installed on their sides. i went from less than 200 ah capacity to 300 ah capacity just by replacing the batteries. lifelines will last 10 years, so the up front cost is somewhat amortized. i got mine from bd batteries online.

check my previous posts for pictures of my installation.
check these references:

Batteries -- and Other Electric Stuff by phred

RV Batteries

Deep Cycle Battery FAQ

John Hilley · 07-22-2010, 08:28 PM

I like the Sam's Club GC2 golf cart batteries. I have two from Sam's Club and two Trojans. I can't see any difference and the Sam's Club batteries can be replaced under warranty over the whole country. The sam's Club batteries also cost about half of what the Trojans cost.

RickO · 07-23-2010, 01:57 AM

I went back and forth recently on whether to go the AGM route or take the other extreme and buy Walmart batteries. Although I'd really like to have the AGMs, I don't need their mounting features and decided other toys would take priority.

I bought Walmart's top of the line MAX Start (I believe it's called) Marine/RV combined deep cycle and starting battery and have been very happy with them so far... however we don't do much dry camping at all. They offer free replacement in the first 18 months and I like the idea of having stores all over the country to service the wty... same with Costco.

Good luck...