RV Batteries 6v vs 12v

[robodad]

I'd like some opinions on switching from 12v batteries to 6v batteries and if there is an advantage, I have read some on the subject but am still on the fence, also about charging the batteries while boondocking, would you hook up a charger to the battery pack and run your generator or just hook up the generator to the shore power hook up on the RV using the inverter/charger ??

Thanks !!!

[Woodchuck]

will be a few, but i will send a pm

[NRA4LIFE]

6V for sure.  They're a more expensive, but they hold a charge a lot longer.  Golf cart batteries are the way to go.

[turkey buster]

this is something I have been contemplating also, so Woodchuck could you also include me in that PM, thanks
chuck

[Special T]

Are you thinking of hooking up to of them to get the 12V?

[Woodchuck]

Well with more than 1 I will do it here. NRA is exactly right get 2 group size gc2 golf cart batteries, you will need to make a short lead out of about 1/0 cable to connect a positive post of one battery to the negative on the other and you have built a monster 12v battery that will last twice as long as any 12v you can buy, they are a fair bit taller though. Just connect the leads from whatever you are putting them in to the remaining posts as usual. They will amaze you how long the last per charge and they will last a ton longer life span wise as well.

[robodad]

Yeah I was thinking if I hooked up 4 6v batteries in a series paralell configuration and used a "smart" charger ran off the generator and bypass the inverter then I should be in good shape for days in the field without having to run the generator for hours and hours ??

[Woodchuck]

Absolutely,I wired a cabin up with 6 of em for a guy in the islands on a lake in MN. With 4, you will go a long time.

[sakoshooter]

You can do basically the same thing with 12 volt batteries for a lot less money. Hook two 12 volt batteries in parallel(pos-pos,neg-neg)  to maintain 12 volts and you can run about 2.5+ times longer than one 12 volt battery. Even better if you use deep cycle batteries. I'd recommend gr 27 size batteries.

[Woodchuck]

Check the reserve capacity on any 12v deep cycle against the gc2 and then double it when you hook them up as a 12v. They have over twice the reserve as a 12v just as a single.

[robodad]

You can do basically the same thing with 12 volt batteries for a lot less money. Hook two 12 volt batteries in parallel(pos-pos,neg-neg)  to maintain 12 volts and you can run about 2.5+ times longer than one 12 volt battery. Even better if you use deep cycle batteries. I'd recommend gr 27 size batteries.

That is the configuration I have now and it sucks, it seems like I am constantly charging them with the generator. It may be a case of the inverter just never fully charges the batteries though so I think I'll hook up a charger to them and see how long they last. I still think I might want the extra capacity of the 6v

[Special T]

If i'm not mistaken it takes longer to fully charge 2 batteries hooked together.  You might just be working off the bottom half. I know i run a 2 amp charger on the deep cycle for 3-4days before i leave for elk camp... I'm probably gona pick up one of those .5 amp solar chargers for the camper... they are like $15-20 at harbor freight...

[Buckmark]

Its all about Ah (amp hours), discharge rate and plate size, if you have the room the 6v will outperform the 12v.
Contact backwoods solar in idaho, they can set you straight on what and why it works better, backwoodssolar.com...

[Lincoln4]

Three of the resources that I use for the RV...

The 12V side of life...
www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

Trailer Life Forums  (go down to Tech Issues)
www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm

IRV2 Forums
www.irv2.com/forums/f54/

[predatorpro]

You can do basically the same thing with 12 volt batteries for a lot less money. Hook two 12 volt batteries in parallel(pos-pos,neg-neg)  to maintain 12 volts and you can run about 2.5+ times longer than one 12 volt battery. Even better if you use deep cycle batteries. I'd recommend gr 27 size batteries.

get some deep cycle 12 volts you will be fine