Community Forums

alpha99 · 03-14-2014, 09:49 AM

kay, time to replace two 12v. house batteries and two 12v. chassis batteries. I don't think I'll bother changing the two 12v. house batteries to 4 6v., but I am considering it.

Any suggestions on replacing the 4 12V. as far as manufacturer or good deals? I want sealed batteries that I don't have to service. I'm thinking of Interstate.

2011 Winnebago 39N with 340 HP Cummins turbodiesel.

TN-Traveler · 03-14-2014, 10:51 AM

Interstate is a good chose. Today most battiers are sealed so you don't have to deal with filling them. Just installed 2 new 12V Interstate in my RV. Also have 4 6V but they are still good and have to check them monthly to fill.

gemini5362 · 03-14-2014, 01:24 PM

You get more amperage hours with 4 six volt batteries. Unless you buy the 12 rv style high amperage batteries but those are pretty pricey

Gary RVRoamer · 03-15-2014, 09:25 AM

You want two different types of batteries, deep cycle for the house and cranking for the chassis. Brand is not very important, but type and rating is. The chassis batteries need to have a CCA rating sufficient for your engine. That's probably a pair of 900 or 950 CCA batteries, which will likely be in the Group 31 size. I'm kind of surprised you would need new chassis batteries in a 2011, though.

For the house you want a deep cycle type. Amp-Hour capacity is the key measurement, but if you seldom camp without shore power you can probably get by with a modest AH rating, say 85-105 AH per battery (170-210 AH for the pair). If you boondock often or for more than a couple days, consider going larger (if you have room). AGM deep cycles are the best but very expensive. A true 12v deep cycle like a Trojan 24TMX or 27TMX is probably next best, but also pricey in most areas and they aren't sealed. You could get a marine or trolling motor battery with similar AH capacity, but they will probably last only half as many years as the Trojan TMX.

I don't know of anybody making a deep cycle sealed battery that is not an AGM or Gel.

vsheetz · 03-15-2014, 10:17 AM

For 12v chassis/starting batteries I use Walmart best EverStart battery. Well rated, good warranty, warranty service available anywhere, and reasonably priced. For house batteries I have had good service and long life from 6v wet Trojans. Whether 12v or 6v and how many depends on your dry camping needs. If you seldom dry camp, then capacity or 6/12v matters not much.