Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I lost my car it had a new battery so guess where it is going to be used.

I asked my wife where do want electricty.
She said She sees no difference be tween that and a tent, small batteries.
So I looks like Nicads and a solar charger are my main batteries.

Now that I have a battery I will run wires for outlets and outside lights.

Was going to get an Optima battery. When I went to Sam's Club, they were out of Yellow tops so I got a Blue top battery.

Be very careful when buying a deep cycle battery. There is a hybrid battery for boats called a "Deep Cycle Marine Start Battery". Yes it does say "Deep Cycle" but it also says Start. This is NOT what you want. If the battery says START anywhere on it, DON'T GET IT! These batteries are made to both start a boat engine and to run something light (like a radio) all day (so small boats don't have to have a 2 battery system). But they don't do either for very long. I have people come into my shop with RVs with these batteries and after less than a season..there shot. Sears, for what ever reason is famous for giving these batteries to people who ask for a "Deep Cycle" battery. Don't get me wrong, these batteries will work....but you won't get the life or amp storage you will out of a regular Deep Cycle Battery. And for the same price.

Happy Trails

Len

I went with a deep cycle battery from Sam's. Cost about $125.00... from my camping experience, I don't think it was absolutely necessary, given that new car batteries can sit around for several months and still start a car.

I was in walmart yesterday and saw a similar sized battery for about 1/2 the price. Though deep cycle is probably a bit better, I think I'd just get a regular battery...

I keep it on a battery tender at home and usually stay at campgrounds with electricity and it is always on charge while there...... I rarely camp more than a couple of days without being able to recharge.

I have a deep cycle marine battery from Costco that cost around fifty or sixty bucks. I don't remember the details but the amp hours and reserve capacity were impressively high, especially for the money.

Joseph

Optima 'yellow top' 70 reserve amp hours. $139.00 most places. I ran my fantastic 4000R for over 20 hrs, plus lights for about 10hrs total, plus water pump (pumped 7.5 gals) over two and a half days and it only drained between 50 - 60% of the charge. I can't see using any more than that on another trip, as this one was HOT and HUMID! We could not have slept without the fan running, or been in the tear more than about 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

Kerry

I use a Garden Tractor battery and it has lasted for three years with a solar charger.

In my new tear, I'm going to use a U1 battery from one of those wheelchair/scooters.... about half the size and weighs only 27 pounds.

I don't have much space and this one fits just right. Similar to this one:

http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/cart ... b2=3030046

Was in a NAPA store last week and saw they had a deep cycle battery (27) that was rated at 165 amp hrs for only $80 or so. I'll have to research it further to make sure it is truly a 'DEEP CYCLE' unit. Thought I let y'all know. Jim

I went with a Lifeline battery http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/

does anyone use a battery back up instead of a battery or use both.

They are getting to be quite suffistactated now with pumps, lines to charge phones, plugs for both AC & DC, LED lights, Radio, etc.

I find it a consideration

Ron D.