House batteries? Reccomendations (2024)

Seems in our couch our house batteries are not staying charged for very long. Seems we could get a couple of larger batteries in the compartment they are in. But that is not the issue. We are wondering what type of batteries to get? I realize we need deep cell batteries, but which is the best bang for the buck? I know of liquid and gel but was told by my mothers new husband about matte batteries? Whats the deal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

J&C

DrivePirates said:

Seems in our couch our house batteries are not staying charged for very long. Seems we could get a couple of larger batteries in the compartment they are in. But that is not the issue. We are wondering what type of batteries to get? I realize we need deep cell batteries, but which is the best bang for the buck? I know of liquid and gel but was told by my mothers new husband about matte batteries? Whats the deal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

J&C

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I think that you may be referring to AGM batteries. They are good batteries but about 2x the price for a comparable capacity (but heavier) "Wet cell" battery.

You might want to consider going to 2x 6V deep cycle batteries wired in series for 12V. Check out your local "Trojan" or "Interstate" battery dealer.
http://www.trojanbattery.com/products/t-125plus6v.aspx
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Content.aspx?dsNav=Arpp~12,A~Part+Number,N~2147384911-2147384722-2147384903,Nr~AND%28P_unique_id%3AInterstate+Batteries+U2200+GC2-XHD-UTL%29

Do you camp without hook-ups (even sometimes)? If you do, this matters. If you don't, the size of the battery doesn't really matter that much.

We could help more if you give us more info like yr/mk/type/model/size of the rig you are talking about. What your 12V requirements are and what type of camping you do.

Wavery said:

I think that you may be referring to AGM batteries. They are good batteries but about 2x the price for a comparable capacity (but heavier) "Wet cell" battery.

You might want to consider going to 2x 6V deep cycle batteries wired in series for 12V. Check out your local "Trojan" or "Interstate" battery dealer.
http://www.trojanbattery.com/products/t-125plus6v.aspx
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Content.aspx?dsNav=Arpp~12,A~Part+Number,N~2147384911-2147384722-2147384903,Nr~AND%28P_unique_id%3AInterstate+Batteries+U2200+GC2-XHD-UTL%29

Do you camp without hook-ups (even sometimes)? If you do, this matters. If you don't, the size of the battery doesn't really matter that much.

We could help more if you give us more info like yr/mk/type/model/size of the rig you are talking about. What your 12V requirements are and what type of camping you do.

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Our coach is a 2004 29' mini winnie class C. We do at times dry camp but not that often. Not really sure what our 12V requirements are? the batteries we have in the coach at this time are 24DC-550. It seems we could add a couple of inches in width as well as an inch in depth and maybe a little taller. Not really sure what you are asking. We are fairly new to the modern day RV'ing.

DrivePirates said:

Our coach is a 2004 29' mini winnie class C. We do at times dry camp but not that often. Not really sure what our 12V requirements are? the batteries we have in the coach at this time are 24DC-550. It seems we could add a couple of inches in width as well as an inch in depth and maybe a little taller. Not really sure what you are asking. We are fairly new to the modern day RV'ing.

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If one occasionally dry camps, they expose themselves to the possibility o running out of battery. Not something that you would want to do even once.

One option is to carry a spare battery in a proper battery box, secured somewhere. Once the house battery gets low, you would need to swap batteries. You would only need to do that on those occasions that you "Dry camp". If it were me and I only dry camped occasionally, I would take this route because the spare battery could be kept on a battery tender while not in use and may last twice as long as a permanent house battery that is being continually cycled.

The other option is to install as large a battery as possible for the space provided. It may still require some engine running or other means of charging because a single battery will have limitations. Some Class C coaches only have provisions for a single battery, located under the hood. Others have provisions in or around the coach somewhere (often under the coach entry steps). Where is yours?

The battery in yours is indeed fairly small as batteries go. You could probably increase from the size (group) 24 to a group 27 size or maybe even a Group 29. A 27 will increase your capacity by about 30%, so well worth it if you ever run long without shore power or the coach engine running.

12v is the heart beat of your RV - it is needed to opeprate lights, water pump, fridge, furnace, water heater and even the a/c (the thermostat needs 12v to run, and no thermostat means no a/c). But when you are plugged to shore pwoer or the engine or generator is running, your coach produces its own 12v and does not rely on the batteries. It's only when those sources are shut down or unavailable that you use the batteries as a source.

An AGM (glass mat) battery is sealed, needs no periodic water added, and lasts a long time in typical RV use - probably 5-7 years. But it comes at a hefty price - probably 3x what a similar flooded cell battery would cost, and typically produces less amp-hours of power for a given size. Lifeline and Trojan are the best of breed brands, but you can find cheaper, private label AGMs that might be only 2x a flooded cell. The best value in a flooded cell deep cycle is likely to be a "trolling motor" battery at your friendly Walmart. A marine trolling motor also uses a deep cycle and Walmart typically has decent prices and a good warranty policy. You should be able to get a group 27 trolling motor battery for around $70. Avoid so-called "marine" batteries - they are more a starting battery than a deep cycle..

Well, I picked up two group 27 marine/RV batteries at Bi-mart for $59.00 after core on sale. They fit the space under the entry stair PERFECTLY!!!! The coach has an Onan generator that I assume charges the batteries while running. Is that the case? Or do I need to run the engine to charge the house batteries?

Thanks all,
Joe

Which is the best bang for the buck... GC-2 Six Volt golf car batteires from Sam's Club unlelss someone has one heck of a sale going on.

These are flooded wet cells so you do have to maintain them from time to time.

But the reason is a combination of 2 things.. Sams does very agressive shopping so they keep prices down (I personally think they are a bit too aggressive, but that's another thread).

And the GC-2 is, I believe, the most popular "Automotive" Type battery.. Used in thousands and thousands of golf cars across the nation,, So while they make a run of a few days of a 12 volt size, then re-tool to run another, then retool to run another.

They keep the six volt line running all this time without re-tooling, which costs money, which is reflected in the price.. of the TWELVE volt batteries.

DrivePirates said:

Well, I picked up two group 27 marine/RV batteries at Bi-mart for $59.00 after core on sale. They fit the space under the entry stair PERFECTLY!!!! The coach has an Onan generator that I assume charges the batteries while running. Is that the case? Or do I need to run the engine to charge the house batteries?

Thanks all,
Joe

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As Gary stated.... The "Marine" batteries really aren't really "deep cycle" batteries but they may be better than the 24 series battery that you have. A truly deep cycle 27 series battery will weigh about 70-80#

When the generator is running, it powers up your inverter and the inverter charges your batteries. If you run your genset for an hour a day, you should be good.

Wavery said:

As Gary stated.... The "Marine" batteries really aren't really "deep cycle" batteries but they may be better than the 24 series battery that you have. A truly deep cycle 27 series battery will weigh about 70-80#

When the generator is running, it powers up your inverter and the inverter charges your batteries. If you run your genset for an hour a day, you should be good.

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Well, these bad boys state DEEP CELL Marine/RV battery on them (is that a misnomer) and they weigh a good chunk. Being a contractor and packing boxes of nails 50lbs. These batteries definitely weigh more than that. At a mismarked price of $59.00 after core charge I'm pretty sure they will do for now and hope they last a bit longer than the 24's I had in the coach. I will have to say that the fans are running on TURBO mode versus the old (tired I'm sure) batteries had them running.