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coloradoguid · 01-01-2018, 07:40 AM

Hooked up in Bristol, Tennessee yesterday and found interior lights dim after hooking up to shore power. Checked charger and all three 25 amp fuses were blown. Inspected the batteries and found one nearly dry and the other low. What I couldn't believe were the dates on the batteries. 2003? What are batteries from 2003 doing in a fiver that was built in 2014? I don't get it.

The two that are in there are series 24 Interstate Deep Cycle units. Any suggestions on what to replace them with? Optima Blue Top? I would like to get something decent. Thanks in advance as always.

drfife · 01-01-2018, 07:49 AM

I opted for four, 6V golf cart batteries.

mikebreeze · 01-01-2018, 07:59 AM

When did you buy this unit? Was it new or used? Either the factory installed the 2003 battery, the dealer did or a subsequent owner did.

I have had an Interstate MTP-65 chassis battery since 7-6-2013. For the house battery I bought the best Interstate Marine/RV Battery available on 5-29-2013, then had to replace it on 8-3-2015 due to it shorting out because of my negligence. So I like Interstate batteries.

coloradoguid · 01-01-2018, 08:11 AM

Bought the unit in June of 2017. Original owner never changed the batteries. Not sure how they could have sat on a shelf in the factory for that long, but it's a moot point now. Perhaps someone swapped the originals out for some old junk along the way. What is the advantage of four 6 volt golf cart batteries?

JDT · 01-01-2018, 08:14 AM

I've had 2 Interstate 6 volt golf cart batteries since June 2012 and they are still going. We don't boondock so the 2 have been plenty to keep our residential Samsung fridge working when needed, and operate the slides. I may replace them this year just to be on the safe side. However, I did have 4 of the same batteries in a motorhome we had prior to getting our Winslow and they were still going after 7 years. I would highly recommend going the 6 volt route.

Maybe someone can give a better answer, but I think the advantage of the 6 volt batteries is they are more robust with a longer run time between charges.

drfife · 01-01-2018, 08:26 AM

The batteries are installed by the selling dealer, not the manufacturer.

excel2014 · 01-02-2018, 03:14 PM

When we took delivery of our 2014 Winslow, it only had two batteries. Asked the dealer and they called Bryan and was told that they were only shipped with two but space for four deep cycle six volt. Bought two more in Idaho. There is no doubt that six volt deep cycle is the way to go. If you decide to go with Agm or gel, they just don’t have enough and cost a lot more

cruzbill · 01-02-2018, 03:31 PM

Group 24 batteries are 12v batteries and have about 80 amp hours (a/hr) capacity (20 hour rate). GC2 batteries (golf cart) are 6v batteries and the 20 hr rate is about 210 a/hr. You need 2x 6v GC2 batteries, wired in series, to get 12v. Series connections add voltage, so 2x6v =12v, but the capacity is the same as one GC2 battery, 210a/hr. 2x 12v group 24 batteries can be wired in parallel and will give you 12v but 2x the capacity as a single group 24 battery or about 160a/hr. So the 2x 6v GC2 batteries give you more capacity. For max battery life, you can only discharge your batteries to about 50% of capacity, so the actual battery capacity is about half those listed above. Either way, the GC2 is a true deep cycle battery and should work better for you. Batteries should be the same age and type, don't mix old and new batteries in the same battery 'bank".