2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

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2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby lacofdfireman » Mon Apr 25, 2016 5:24 pm

So on my off road trailer build I'm trying to decide if I should go with 2 12v batteries or 2 6v batteries? What would you do? It will be running a water pump and various different LED lights and electronics. I also will have an onboard 2000kw generator that I can recharge the batteries with. Also wondering if you think it would be good to wire the batteries into my vehicles 7way brake plug so it can recharge while I drive. Not sure how to do it but I know it can be done. Is that a smart thing to do or just bring along a portable charger and recharge them off the generator.


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Re: 2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby lrrowe » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:26 pm

I believe that what is more important then having 2 12v or 2 6v set of batteries is how many AH's do you need and what combination of batteris will satisfy that requirement. Then there is the weight aspect to consider. Me, I went with 2 6v golf cart batteries at about 200 or so AH's with the potential of adding 2 more of then for 400AH's. But boy if I do that, will my weight ever increase fast.
Bob

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Re: 2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby lacofdfireman » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:46 pm

Ya I'm thinking I'm already tongue heavy and I know my 2 Trojan T105's in my Motorhome are heavy. So I may need to just do the 12v's. Really the only thing that will take much power at all will be my small water pump. Other than that it's just LED interior lights. They shouldn't take much at all. And I'm sure they won't be ran a bunch either. I'm pretty sure I'd be fine with 2 12v's.


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Re: 2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby GuitarPhotog » Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:03 pm

If you have such light loads, and are weight conscious, why do you want two batteries anyway?

it's 2x the maintenance, 2X the weight, and 2X the cost.

I have run my teardrop for over 5 years on a 60AH 12VDC battery, and have been able to go five days without recharging. I can recharge from shore power, the tow vehicle, and from an 80W solar panel. I run LED lights, USB chargers for phone and tablet, and a charger for my laptop, and a ventilation fan 24/7. I think my total load with everything on high is about 36W.

Do the calculations, and buy a battery that can supply that load for as many days as you need between charges without discharging below 50%.

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Re: 2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby H.A. » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:09 pm

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Last edited by H.A. on Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2 12v batteries or 2 6v for 12v system?

Postby tony.latham » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:32 pm

The answer you're going to get, I think, is to figure out how many amp hours you're going to use on a trip and base your battery needs on that.

I've got one Group 27 marine battery that I run a 3-amp hour fan, LED lights, and recharge cell phones with. I charge while towing (that's simple and the RV industry standard). We're good for three days. Anything longer, I put my 60 watt solar panels out. When this battery is dead, I'm going to downsize to a Group 24.

Unless you're doing something remarkable––such as a refrigerator––I'd think one battery is plenty.

Generators? :thinking: :thumbdown:

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