RV Battery

[The Old Farmers Wife]

What a fiasco!  Our first trip in 5th wheel & learning our camper. After 2 1/2 days of dry camping & very limited use, our battery died. Now won't hold a charge. Up on further inspection we noted it was a marine cranking battery (didn't check, trusted dealer)
On our way to Walmart, hubby says he's getting 2 of the biggest 12 volt deep cycle he can find
Any advice/recommendations?  Plan to add solar as finances allow.  Don't want to make another newbie mistake

 

[deadwood]

Don't beat yourself up about making mistakes. We all make our share but I will say that the learning curve is steep and that you will a lot very quickly. Battery management is definitely something you will get a hang of. Once you learn how to track your usage you will be much better equipped to make sure you have enough battery bank to keep your electronics that you use up and running.

 

[Blanch]

I ruined my first RV batteries. It happens. I have a small 1000 watt generator I bought off of eBay for $120 so when I can't use my solar I can recharge my batteries with the generator.


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[Almost There]

Unless you need it yesterday, hold off on that trip to WalMart.

You're not going to find the best batteries there, the cheapest yes, but not the best! You'll be lucky to find a battery there that is actually deep cycle.

And you'll need to pair whatever batteries you do end up with, with the right charger for them so that you can keep them happy!

Hope the rest of your maiden voyage was better than the battery stuff!

 

[regis101]

I wouldn't buy anything until the system has been detailed . Just my hang up

 

[highdesertranger]

you will not find deep cycle batteries at WalMart. in fact true 12v deep cycles are hard to find anywhere, not impossible but hard. I would use 2 6v golf cart batteries. do you have any solar? highdesertranger

 

[frater secessus]

I agree about not buying any more batts at this moment unless you really need them (and have a way to charge them). I'm stubborn so I'd get a gallon of distilled water at wally world and make sure the cells had enough to drink. If they were low they're hurt but might be able to take some amount of charge.

Also consider the possibility that the charger (stock converter, maybe?) might not be working. That would explain the batts condition and your inability to charge them.

 

[John61CT]

Sam's Club or Batteries+ sell Duracell 6V GC batts, get flooded not AGM.

Best value in the US.

The ones Costco sells are almost as good.

There are much better, but cost lots more.

But you really need to make sure you (learn how to) do what's needed to make them last.

Try to never bring them below 50% SoC.

Keep water levels up.

Try to bring them back to 100% Full (not 98%) as quickly and as often as possible, ideally every day when in use. Follow mfg specs on charging voltages.

Equalize charge once a month.


Really coddling them they may last 8+ years.

Murderous abuse can kill them in a few months.