Battery
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: East Central Ia
Battery
Battery in camper is now 7 years old so thinking of replacing. Almost to much info on web. We never boondock but would be nice to have some backup for power outages at campground. I also understand having power for trailer brakes if disconnected. These days most battery warranty's don't seem to be worth the paper it's printed on. What are you guys using?
Last edited by 5851a; May 9, 2019 at 08:34 AM. Reason: spelling
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,681
Likes: 12,803
From: Wyoming
If you don't boondock then find a 12v battery with the longest warranty and call it a day. You don't really use your battery except for between home and the campground and your tow vehicle should be supplementing the battery with a charge even then.
If you've maintained the current battery (check water levels, kept charged) they maybe there's no need to replace it. You can check the fluid in the cells with a hygrometer. Using that I found one cell bad in a car battery and knew it wasn't long for this world.
If you've maintained the current battery (check water levels, kept charged) they maybe there's no need to replace it. You can check the fluid in the cells with a hygrometer. Using that I found one cell bad in a car battery and knew it wasn't long for this world.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
I get Interstate batteries. Reasonable price, I get them at Summit Racing. I earn Summit bucks too.
I use two in my race trailer to power lights, winch, frig. I keep maintainer plugged in when at home. I get 5-6 yrs easy before they start showing age. Usually when using winch, which is a hard pull on them. Lighter duty stuff never seems to matter. I've thought of using a solar charger? Not that it takes big power to charge, but something I've though about.
I use two in my race trailer to power lights, winch, frig. I keep maintainer plugged in when at home. I get 5-6 yrs easy before they start showing age. Usually when using winch, which is a hard pull on them. Lighter duty stuff never seems to matter. I've thought of using a solar charger? Not that it takes big power to charge, but something I've though about.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Maybe you know this already, but in that application a deep cycle battery is used. An automotive start battery will tend to get smoked very quickly, as they cannot handle deep discharges without permanent damage. The line between start batteries and deep cycle has been blurred in recent years with the development of AGM batteries.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
You are right that the subject of trailer/RV batteries is a hole with no bottom. A single 12V deep cycle battery is perfect for people like you who just need it for the emergency brakes and for occasional use while stopped along the way. Get one that fits in your space, and from a store that has some kind of warranty, and don't overthink it.
For folks who need the batteries to get them through a few days of camping without shore power, 6V golf cart batteries are a better choice. Then there's the discussion of solar panels, Lithum batteries, generators, it goes on and on . . . . I can't have that talk without a full cooler of beer, and I cant get through it before the beer is done.
For folks who need the batteries to get them through a few days of camping without shore power, 6V golf cart batteries are a better choice. Then there's the discussion of solar panels, Lithum batteries, generators, it goes on and on . . . . I can't have that talk without a full cooler of beer, and I cant get through it before the beer is done.
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Logistics Pro
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From: East Central Ia
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
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From: Washington Coast
You are right that the subject of trailer/RV batteries is a hole with no bottom. A single 12V deep cycle battery is perfect for people like you who just need it for the emergency brakes and for occasional use while stopped along the way. Get one that fits in your space, and from a store that has some kind of warranty, and don't overthink it.
For folks who need the batteries to get them through a few days of camping without shore power, 6V golf cart batteries are a better choice. Then there's the discussion of solar panels, Lithum batteries, generators, it goes on and on . . . . I can't have that talk without a full cooler of beer, and I cant get through it before the beer is done.
For folks who need the batteries to get them through a few days of camping without shore power, 6V golf cart batteries are a better choice. Then there's the discussion of solar panels, Lithum batteries, generators, it goes on and on . . . . I can't have that talk without a full cooler of beer, and I cant get through it before the beer is done.
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A normal deep cycle boat battery should be fine for what you do, but if the one you have is on a maintainer, it’s probably good for a while yet. Same, 1000s of opinions, I use a couple 12v hooked together, but boondock fairly regular and have power jacks on both ends and lots of slides. Maybe probably would go golf cart if I used solar/inverter more and a generator less, but haven’t spent the money yet.
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