joelc
Cedar Point, NC
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I have a 5er that came with a single 12V RV battery. I am thinking of replacing it. What I don't know, given the same amperage, would I get better service from 2 12V batteries in parallel or 6 6 V batteries in series? Once I know whether a 6V system or 12V system is better I can choose the battery.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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6 - 6volt batteries is a lot more than 2 - 12volt batteries (depending on specific models likely more than 3 times as much). Of course, it will cost and weigh a lot more also.
Assuming you meant 2 - 6volt vs 2 - 12volt, I would lean toward the 6volt option. 6volt golf cart batteries are true deep cycle batteries. Most dual purpose 12volt batteries really are built as starting batteries and get a different label. If you draw them down deep, they won't hold up as well as a true deep cycle battery.
The amperage draw from the 5er will be low enough that either can handle the draw. The 6volt option will likely hold more amp-hours and hold up to being drawn down better in the long term.
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Lwiddis
near Bishop, California
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Do you camp without hookups? An energy survey will help you determine how many amp hours you need. Sixes are preferable to two 12s.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, 300 watt solar-parallel & MPPT, Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state & county camps. Bicyclist! 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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Old-Biscuit
Verde Valley
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If one 6v battery fails you have NO DC for RV
If one 12V battery fails you still have 12V DC for RV
6V battery typically will have higher amp/hour then 12V
Two 6V is series...voltage doubles/AH stays same (6V/225AH=12V/225AH)
Two 12V in parallel...voltage stays same/AH doubles (12V/105AH=12V/210AH)
So Two 6V in Series will have slight advantage over Two 12V in Parallel
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
It depends what you wish to run. If you plan on a large inverter then 12 volt may be better.
My next batteries will be SiO2 chemistry which have a much greater lifespan than lead acid. They are sealed and more or less maintenance free.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp hours of AGM in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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time2roll
Southern California
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I recommend the 6v GC2 if you are spending money to have two batteries.
Most Costco and Sams club have good value GC2 batteries.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
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rlw999
Washington State
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pianotuna wrote:It depends what you wish to run. If you plan on a large inverter then 12 volt may be better.
Why is that? What's the difference between 2 6V batteries in series and 2 12v batteries in parallel for running an inverter? (I understand why putting the 12V batteries in series to get 24V would make it easier to feed a big inverter, but that's a much bigger project)
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Rlw999,
thicker "plates" in 6 volt = higher resistance
Lower internal voltage in the 12 volt
double the number of cells, in 12 volt, so each cell has to produce only 1/2 as much of the current.
6v = 3 cells; 12v= 6 cells
x 2
6v pair = 6 cells; 12v pair = 12 cells.
My microwave draws 150 amps.
6 volt in series--each cell has to do 150 amps
12 volt in parallel--each cell has to do 75 amps
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time2roll
Southern California
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Either way I recommend 4 batteries minimum if running a 2000 watt inverter anywhere close to capacity.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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time2roll,
Either 4 lead acid--or 2 SiO2
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