Looking at house batteries and have a question

[olustee bus]

for my class c. I was looking for a 12 volt maintance free house battery and I notice many have the type of connectors that you would have on a riding mower, not the kind like an automobile and not the kind on my rv.

If I have to get one like that, what workaround can I perform.

Also, my battery is not conveniently located exactly where the access door is. Is that an easy fix to move.

[twinboat]

Your not looking at the right batteries.

Many Deep cycle RV/Marine batteries will have posts and studs or just studs.

You are probably looking at utility starting batteries like my mower or jet ski has.

You want batteries marked GP24, GP27, GP29, GP31 or if using 2- 6 volt batteries, GC2.

Moving a battery is easy, get longer cables the same size ( they are marked ) and change them. You can connect extensions to your old cables too. Use bolts nuts and a lot of tape.

[CCRyder 505]

Happy Camper x-2

[Isaac-1]

Also generally maintenance free is a BAD IDEA on house side batteries unless you buy AGM batteries, if buying AGM make sure your converter supports the correct charging profile for AGM's otherwise you may end up killing a new set of batteries in short order.

[twinboat]

I have 2, GP31, maintance free, deep cycle, Sam's Club, batteries in my RV.
Been in there 3 years with lots of dry camping and they are going strong.

They cost $100 each and if they last another year, I'm a happy camper.

No need for AGM batteries at over twice the cost.

[olustee bus]

Lots of great information here. I appreciate all of your advice.

[bigchick]

i have a couple of centennial maintenance free batteries model dc27mf. they are 5 years old and still going strong. i just had them load tested and they passed with flying colors. but we do very little dry camping or boondocking. their primary load is running the residential refrigerator while in transit.

[Gary RVRoamer]

No need for AGM batteries at over twice the cost.

I kind of agree, but the 2x cost of AGM usually yields 2x lifespan as well, so it works out.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I kind of agree, but the 2x cost of AGM usually yields 2x lifespan as well, so it works out.

There is no evidence of the twice the life using AGM over flooded batteries.

Most specs show comparable cycle life's between the 2 chemistries.

[Mark_K5LXP]

I think there's some merit to AGM when it comes to self discharge and lack of stratification. From a cycle life standpoint they probably won't last any longer but they are a bit better for long periods of disuse and tolerate being ignored. Is that worth $2x? That's up to the user.


Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[brucenem]

The most important thing is the cables. There is a reason they are so thick; 12 volts has a lot of loss compared to 120 volt house systems. Also, every connection is a point of resistance. #2 welding cable works best. Many truck parts stores make custom cables, rather than splicing new to old.