6 volt or go 12 volt house batteries

[MIKE MCALPIN]

I currently have four 6 volt house batteries needing replaced. Is 6 volt the way to go, or is there something better?

[Tony Ramirez]

Depends what you want to do. If you don't boondock much, easiest is just to replace w 4 6Vs. Just take a pic before so you hook up the same way.

If you do boondocks, the price of Lithiums have come down so much, while price of lead has gone WAY up. something to think about. But, they aren't just plug & play, a few things to make sure it's done right.

I changed out 6 6Vs for Lithiums almost a year ago, they are a GAME CHANGER! I am so happy I did.

[SafariBen]

Even if you NEVER boondock, you can replace the 4 six volts with less capacity of Li and it will probably work just fine. Ideally you want to avoid parallel batteries. 24, 36, 48V industrial equipment will have cells in SERIES, or 6V batteries in series, usually no parallel batteries. 6V batteries just lessen the number of parallel connections, so are better than 12V typically. But they're getting even more of a specialty item and therefore more expensive for what they are.

[Mark_K5LXP]

Generally 6V will be a more durable and cost effective solution vs 12V. The LA vs Li question is another layer of information and discussion based on what your specific application is.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by MIKE MCALPIN

I currently have four 6 volt house batteries needing replaced. Is 6 volt the way to go, or is there something better?

Do you boon dock at all? Are you always hooked to power when parked?
Do you have residential refrigerator in your RV?

If the answers to the above: No, Yes, No I say to replace all 4 6v with a single 12v.

Any other combination of answers: Replace with what you have or if you must, consider a swap to Lithium.

[SandiaMan]

If your RVing takes you from power pedestal to power pedestal, virtually any combination of 12 volt or 6 volt batteries will suffice. Keep in mind that all battery types have there pros and cons and the vast majority of answers to this post will be biased to what they are currently using on their RVs, ultimately it will be up to you to decide which option of 12 volt reserves best suits your type of RVing.

For us we've had great success with GC2 batteries across 4 RVs although I have no issue with trying newer technology based batteries in a couple of years when our 7+ year old golfcart batteries finally give up the ghost. Extended RVing off the power grid it is more critical to quickly restore consumed amphours regardless of battery type, having solar, Onan genny, and 100 amp charger works for us.

[twinboat]

If you have an inverter in your rig, switching to 1 12 volt battery will cause quick shutdowns, if you use it for any heavy load like the microwave, while not on shore power or generator.

[Gary RVRoamer]

4 x 6v GC2 deep cycles is a cost effective way to get 420-460 AH and the equivalent AH capacity using quality 12v deep cycles (not marine/RV hybrids) is almost surely more expensive. That argues for sticking with what you have. Changing to 12v lithium has some advantages in weight and performance, but you will probably need to make some changes in the battery system equipment. That's only worth it if you really need those advantages. Thus the questions about how you camp & travel.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by twinboat

If you have an inverter in your rig, switching to 1 12 volt battery will cause quick shutdowns, if you use it for any heavy load like the microwave, while not on shore power or generator.

This is true but my predicate was being always plugged into power.

[Iceclimber]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

4 x 6v GC2 deep cycles is a cost effective way to get 420-460 AH and the equivalent AH capacity using quality 12v deep cycles (not marine/RV hybrids) is almost surely more expensive. That argues for sticking with what you have. Changing to 12v lithium has some advantages in weight and performance, but you will probably need to make some changes in the battery system equipment. That's only worth it if you really need those advantages. Thus the questions about how you camp & travel.

+1
Changing will come with a price.

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by MIKE MCALPIN

I currently have four 6 volt house batteries needing replaced. Is 6 volt the way to go, or is there something better?

Back to the beginning to get past the noise.
If staying with Lead Acid or even AGM equal the 4 GC2 batteries are the best bang for the buck. Both in available capacity and cycle life. In general, going to 12-volt Group 31s even if you match capacity will move you from 5 to 7-year possible life to 2 or 3 at best. Owned and serviced enough of all those combinations to know.
If you really want to do an upgrade, then consider going to Lithium. With proper selection and some limitations, a set can, be done drop in. Lithium's are cost competitive with most any quality AGM these days. If you want help with this, you may p-mail me here or at Dennis-vw-service@outlook.com.
Also call or text 63-897-0345.

[Punkinhead]

Originally Posted by Iceclimber

+1
Changing will come with a price.

Amd that price may be zero. Depending on his inverter/charger the change to lithium could be a simple drop in.

[powercat_ras]

Costco sells Interstate GC2 6V golf cart batteries best value for a direct replacement. two 6V GC2 in series will give more amp-hours than two same size 12V batteries in parallel, because with only 3 cells per 6V vs 6 cells per 12V you get more power storage in the same battery case size (less of battery volume is used for plastic separators, etc).

As was previously said Lithium Iron have gotten much less expensive, you could match the usable capacity of 4 GC2 6V batteries with 2 100 AH 12V Lithium Iron, and can expect to never replace them again . However, there is more to going to Lithium Iron than just changing the batteries as has been discussed on many other threads, this drives up the materials cost and labor time.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by MIKE MCALPIN

I currently have four 6 volt house batteries needing replaced. Is 6 volt the way to go, or is there something better?

Mike,
You ask a very valid question which is often asked. It all depends.
How long have the batteries you have now lasted for you? Do they do what you want them to do without constantly running down while you still want or need battery power?
In my particular case I have only two GC 6 batteries for house batteries. I don't boon dock much but when I do I run my generator during the day to recharge the batteries so I have 12 v. power at night to run lights or the water pump after 'Quiet time". I also carry along at least one of my Honda 2000 suitcase style generators which will recharge the batteries if I don't want to use the onboard 5500 W. Onan which likes gas much more than the Honda(s).
The Hondas are quieter than the Onan if we have other campers nearby too. I also use one of the Hondas to run an electric Pole Saw which I carry on the rear rack of my ATV to trim limbs and brush away from trails etc. around my properties.
When we camp at a NASCAR track I can run a Honda in the early AM so my wife can dry her hair after showering. It may be after the generator restriction time has been lifted but some of the late party goers are still sleeping in. I've never had a complaint about running the Hondas. I bought these in 2013 when I bought a Class C camper which didn't have a generator. The storage compartments weren't big enough to store a larger generator so I opted for two Hondas and could store one in a compartment and the other Honda in a different compartment and can parallel them together to get 4000 W. of power if I need it.
For my needs the two GC 6 batteries work just fine for me. Your needs and wants may be entirely different. I got 6 years of use from my first set of batteries which I installed in May of 2015. I expect to get at least one more year of use from the batteries and maybe even two. For me to go with more expensive batteries and have to add things to make them work would be a poor decision on my part.