smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Two batteries should be good for two to four nights depending on usage. I can go at least five nights with my four Costco golf batteries using power without worry. I also have LED lights that save a ton of power.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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If its cold outside and you want to be warm inside you better have more than one battery…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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officergator
Central Florida
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Joined: 07/25/2009
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I just came back from 5 nights in the Smokey Mountains where it got cold every night. Well cold for this Florida boy. I was running two 6v trojans and even my thirsty furnace fan got run every night. Using a 1500 watt inverter to run the TV and Satellite receiver, yeah I know overkill, I got 5 days without recharging. This was also with some heavy use of the inverter on Sunday because although camping is getting away from it all, I still cant bring myself to get away from my NFL Sunday Ticket.
IMHO, unless you find a true 12v deep cycle, which I have yet to lay eyes on one, the 6v golf carts are the way to go. From what I have heard, havent tested it yet, you will get many more charge cycles out of them if you deplete them below the 50% mark. As far as amp hours, I am sure there is truth in what everyone is saying. BUT, I did notice more longevity from the true deep cycles then I did from my 12v marine battery between charges. This may be because of the type battery as many will probably explain.
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 ThunderRoad
1998 Coachmen Catalina Lite 24D
1 Beautiful Wife
3 Howling Beagles
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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As far as type of batteries no matter what is said about two 12’s and two 6 volt golf cart batteries and especially Trojan I don’t know anyone the has used the GC batteries that didn’t say they were better… on brands we have many golf courses around here, most using electric carts and as far as I know all using exclusively Trojan batteries… that tells me something…
My Trojan golf cart batteries went bad this past winter, the mfg date on them was May of 1995...
In 1997 I bought a 1984 electric club car, it still has it’s second set of Trojans in it, they are 1995 batteries also… and while not like new still worked fine this summer… the battery cables go bad faster than the batteries…
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi JJBIRISH,
That's because when they moved to the six volt format two things usually happen. #1 they go for more capacity and #2 the batteries are finally wired in a balanced manner. If they went for the same capacity (as the six volts) or larger in a twelve volt format, and had them wired in a balanced manner they would be quite happy with their results.
Please tell us about how you maintained (charged and watered) your Trojans (they are fine batteries).
JJBIRISH wrote:As far as type of batteries no matter what is said about two 12’s and two 6 volt golf cart batteries and especially Trojan I don’t know anyone the has used the GC batteries that didn’t say they were better… on brands we have many golf courses around here, most using electric carts and as far as I know all using exclusively Trojan batteries… that tells me something…
My Trojan golf cart batteries went bad this past winter, the mfg date on them was May of 1995...
In 1997 I bought a 1984 electric club car, it still has it’s second set of Trojans in it, they are 1995 batteries also… and while not like new still worked fine this summer… the battery cables go bad faster than the batteries…
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 09:23pm by pianotuna *
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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pianotuna wrote:
Please tell us about how you maintained (charged and watered) your Trojans (they are fine batteries).
I haven’t done anything special, just the normal maintenance… I keep the terminals clean, water level checked regularly, and kept charged, and always hope to get another year out of them, knowing at some point that hope will run out…
I use the camper converter with shore power or my generator for charging as I full time…
for the golf car I have two chargers one automatic 36 volt and one that is a timed 36 volt charger… more often than not I use the automatic… it is the one plugged in with the cord run to the outside for regular charging… run time is still pretty decent about half what new would be, still good enough for the use it gets, and with batteries worth as much as the cart, there is no hurry to replace them...
I have two electric carts (the other one is a Yamaha ) and a gas club car… right now they are my choice at any price...
The best source I found for buying batteries is a golf course… they order for the year one time and price is dependent on the number of batteries they buy… they will include in their order batteries for my friends in the CG (my home park)… it lowers the unit cost to them and us… I have to place my order next month because when they went bad last winter it was to late and the order had already been placed… I hope the deal is still open… just something to think about if you need batteries
* This post was
edited 11/04/09 09:49am by JJBIRISH *
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DoubleClutcher
Ridgcrest,CA
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Joined: 12/30/2006
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One thing that is easy to miss is the charge condition of the battery bank. Unless you have a charging source that brings the batteries up to 100% you may have very little available. I learned this the hard way on my first TT. I assumed a day on the road the road would give me a full charge. The problem is that most tow vehicles have small gauge wire to the connector and don't result in enough current to do the job. There is also a problem with the cheap converters that are supplied with the TT.
I now have 2 6V 220AH batteries, a Xantrex 40A charger/converter, and carry a Honda 1000W quiet portable. Most of the time I use a 12V electric blanket during the night. With cycling it averages about 5A. There are very few campgrounds were I can't run the Honda. I wait until the campground is noisy in the morning (usually someone starts a diesel) and start the Honda.
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