What brand house batteries to buy?

[gmacklem]

I currently only have 1 house battery in my RV but will be replacing it with 2. I have seen mention here somewhere that it takes type 31 batteries. Is that the case? Any recommendations on brand of battery? I and my nephew have had Advance Auto car batteries die within a year so I want to steer clear of those. I do plan to buy mntc free batteries.

Thx

[acadianbob]

I could be a 24, 27, 29, 30 or 31. You'll have to look at it and see what it is. If you have room and the money, I'd go for Trojan brand and a Group 31.

[sgtlm17]

If I'm right your rig comes with group 27. Some have said that two group 31's will fit albeit tight. I would go with 31's over the 27's if they will fit. Brand is subjective but majority always like Trojans. I have heard many people go with the Costco or Sam's club Duracell and are also happy.

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

I could be a 24, 27, 29, 30 or 31. You'll have to look at it and see what it is. If you have room and the money, I'd go for Trojan brand and a Group 31.

I assume the group number will be printed on top of the battery?

[tomkatb]

There are three types of batteries available for the rv. First is a car battery. In general they are designed to provide large jolts of electricity for short periods of time. They do not take long term discharges as in a RV. Generally will not last long.

The other extreme is golf cart batteries. Typically six volts. Designed to deliver steady current. Takes to being discharged a lot and recharged. First choice for a RV. Deep cycle.

Then there is the old marine battery. The in between. Some of both.

It is simple. You want two six volt batteries in an RV for longest life and greatest stored amperage. There are twelve volt deep cycle batteries but, generally quality ones are expensive. Almost as good as six volts.

The trick is to carefully measure the box or frame they will be in. Shop with a tape measure in your pocket.

Costco sells Interstate GC batteries in the spring for less then $100. If they fit that is the ticket. The least expensive battery with the most storage that lasts the longest. Trojan is a favorite brand. Better likely but, more expensive.

I do not think the size is written on the battery. Battery sizes are a little goofy. Some are bigger than others. I know this from the British car thing I do.

[SeaDog]

I'm having very good luck with the Interstate deep cycle batteries. Not as expensive as some and have held up well.

[Duckogram]

My personal preference is Optima but you will need a thickly populated wallet for them. When you do settle on a plan, make sure the ones you get are fresh. There is a Month/Year sticker on them. 3 months on the shelf or less is the conventional wisdom.

Here’s an example: https://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...iABEgK0vPD_BwE

[Duckogram]

This thread reminded me that I saw a large round hole on the backside of the battery compartment while I was topping off the levelup reservoir.
So I investigated this morning...
The OEM batteries are unmarked with the exception of the barcode under the handle and the date sticker on the side. So I scanned the barcode and came up with this:

[wharfrat48]

What battery you choose really depends on what you use it for. If you are connected to shore power most of the time, a "marine" type battery would probably be fine (and less expensive). If you boondock, you will require a battery with more amp hour storage. As mentioned above 2 6-volts wired in series is a good way to go (if you have the space). If not, true deep cucle 12V batteries are available. You did mention you were looking at "maintenance free" batteries. The only true maintenance free battery for RV applications would be AGM batteries which are about 2x the cost of the flooded batteries discussed above.

[Toyman]

If you want the most AH for your $$ go for LiPo like Battleborn.

[retireearly]

That large round hole in the back of the battery compartment is a vent. The lead/acid battery will off gas some during charging. Supposedly AGM (sealed) batteries would not need the vent.

[clintbonnie73]

I have had terrible luck with Interstate batteries.. I think they dropped their quality in past couple of years.. My new Rockwood came with them.. they were defective after a few months.. I agree... 6 volt in series is the way to go.. Trojans are good..

[bbbeebop]

Most Batteries made in the USA are made by 3 manufacturers Exide, Delphi and Johnson Controls, so when you say which brand to buy, check the manufacturer list for who makes your battery as there are crossovers. just sayin!

[clintbonnie73]

Originally Posted by bbbeebop

Most Batteries made in the USA are made by 3 manufacturers Exide, Delphi and Johnson Controls, so when you say which brand to buy, check the manufacturer list for who makes your battery as there are crossovers. just sayin!

Interstate batteries appears to be mfg'd by Johnson Controls.. From researching the Net.. looks like Trojan makes their own batteries.. maybe a better choice.

[Iwannacamp]

I would be also concerned of possible warranty issues. If you order then be prepared to order replacements if needed.

Also....post style will somewhat dictate battery size. The “normal” group 31 is a stud...yes they make both.

If you are talking deep cycle batteries that affects what’s available.

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Toyman

If you want the most AH for your $$ go for LiPo like Battleborn.

X2. One battle born will outperform 2 lead acid and only weighs 29 pounds. If you dry camp of course. If you travel from full hook up to full hook up, it don’t matter put a cheap one in there.

[Hoglou]

Fair batt, fair price....

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by retireearly

That large round hole in the back of the battery compartment is a vent. The lead/acid battery will off gas some during charging. Supposedly AGM (sealed) batteries would not need the vent.

Under normal operating conditions this is true. If they get hot while charging they can build up pressure internally as Hydrogen gas is released. They are designed to vent this pressure to keep the battery from bursting.

Hydrogen needs to be vented outside to prevent unwanted explosions.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by bbbeebop

Most Batteries made in the USA are made by 3 manufacturers Exide, Delphi and Johnson Controls, so when you say which brand to buy, check the manufacturer list for who makes your battery as there are crossovers. just sayin!

If you live near Seattle there is a local company that's been making batteries since the late 40's. Dyno batteries are used by most of the commercial boats that home port in Seattle and by the local transit systems. While they offer automotive batteries their forte is heavy duty and marine/deep cycle batteries.

I toured their factory about 12 years ago and was impressed with their focus on quality rather than high speed production merely to produce quantity. I'd put them on the same level as Trojan but without the national presence.

If you're around Seattle and need batteries I'd check them out. Their 12V Marine/Deep Cycle batteries offer the same AH ratings as the popular 6V batteries. Yes, one can buy 6V batteries with twice the AH rating of the largest 12v but they need to both have the extra space (height usually) and weight carrying capacity as they're also twice as heavy (each).

Purchase locally and they're priced pretty good considering that there is no freight involved like with the big name battery mfr's.

The local outlet in the Seattle area is Fisheries Supply which is darn near next door to the Dyno factory.

[harleybiker]

Interstate has a 6v 225 AH golf cart deep cycle battery GC2-ECL-UTL, which is receiving good reports. Two of these at 63 lbs each go for about $143 each at Interstate wholesalers nationwide.