6v or 12 v

[vol445]

Guys I have to say I have been reading this and I'm really surprised. I double checked myself with the CEO of a major battery company. If you use a 12 V battery that has 100 AH and you connect it in a series with another like battery, you get 24 V and 100 AH. If you connect it in parallel, you get 12 V and 200 AH. You can raise one but not both. If a 6 V battery has less AH than a 12 V battery it will never beat the 12 V. As far as the plates are concerned, there is no proof that one is better than the other.

[Dr4Film]

This controversial topic has been hashed around on this forum 'til the cows come home.

I would suggest doing a thorough search on this forum and you will have plenty to read plus some threads will have a variety of Internet resource links that will give you excellent information regarding battery types and differences.

Not one size fits all and there are many Apples and Oranges out there.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[pasdad1]

The reason 6 volt batteries are popular is mainly because they are used in golf carts by the tens of thousands, and are built to be durable and take abuse.

The huge quantity they are produced in makes them cheaper than a 12 volt battery of equivalent construction and capacity.

The 12 volt batteries used in cars don't cut it, because they are designed the opposite of a deep cycle battery. Cars draw maximum starting amps for just a few seconds, and then are immediately recharged by the on-board alternator.

So it's economics rather than physics or chemistry which is dictating that two 6 volt golf cart batteries is better than two 12 volt batteries.

You CAN purchase quality, durable deep cycle 12 volt batteries, but they are harder to find and quite expensive due to not many people buying them.

😃


Here are the economics...

GC2 6 volt battery from Sams Club. $90 220Ah 2 of these = $180 220Ah

27TMH Trojan 12 volt battery (deep cycle) $180 115Ah. 2 of these = $360 230Ah


😃

[twinboat]

The point is, at about the same size, 6 volt batteries have about double, if not more AH. And like others have said, it is built for deep cycling.

Good day

[Ray,IN]

I agree, mostly a personal preference. If I chose to switch from my present 12V battery bank, which is three 200AH, 12v batteries; I would probably select these LifeLine 6V, 400AH RV deep cycle batteries.

[jplante4]

You also have to have room in the battery tray for enough 6V batteries to take the place of the AH in your 12V batteries you have now. Also, the same amp hours in 6V batteries would most likely weigh more than the 12Vs so you need to make sure you have the cargo carrying capacity.

[twinboat]

Yes if you have 1, 12 volt battery, your stuck with it.

If you have 2, then you can use either type, as long as you have a few inchs in height. They are a little taller.

The weight issue is 20 or 30 lb`s each, but that means more lead, more power.

Just like engines, there is no replacement for displacement.

Enjoy

[Superslif]

Here is a good video about the two 6 volt vs. a 12 volt. Best battery for dry camping

[wa8yxm]

ALL batteries in motor homes and trailers are 12 volt (Exception a few use 24 volt chassis batteries).

Some are built in one piece

Some in two pieces (A pair of GC-2 Golf Car batteries in series is an example of a 2 piece battery, 6V plus 6V (in series) = 12 volt at over 200 amp hours)

Some are in two pieces but parallel (a group pair of group 29's in parallel is also about 200 amp hours,, NOTE use of the word OVER in the six volt eample)

The major diference is Deep Cycle (GC-2) V/s MARINE/deep cycle (Group XX or the most part) which are more senistive to deep discharge.

I like the GC-2 because:
1: Low cost (most popular lead acid battery leads to lower unit cost)
2: 230 amp hours (the sub category I have)
3: I can wrangle them (a 4D (12 volt at 230 amp horus) is more than I can Wrangle)
4: Deep Cycle.. If I accidently run 'em way down this type of battery has the best chance of recovery.

[twinboat]

To keep things clear.

Battery, A container consisting of 1 or more cells.

Battery bank, The result of joining 2 or more batteries together.

Enjoy

[LeeSusan]

Thanks for the excellent link Superslif.

[Okiedoke]

Also consider a situation where one battery fails: two 6v = failure, two 12v = 50% output.

[Gary RVRoamer]

A couple of years ago I wrote this article on "Choosing the Best RV Battery". It explains the difference in battery types and the pros and cons of using them in an RV.