Solar Panel Battery Question

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by bikendan

GC-2 is the designation for a certain sized 6v golf cart battery. it has nearly the same footprint as a Group 24 12 v battery, it's just a little taller. G-Golf C-Cart

Those are the shiz as far as most wanted batteries for RV's ? I bet they are expensive.

[erm626]

Originally Posted by bikendan

GC-2 is the designation for a certain sized 6v golf cart battery. it has nearly the same footprint as a Group 24 12 v battery, it's just a little taller. G-Golf C-Cart

I would guess they would be connected in series, by a cable positive to the negative to the second battery. Then the normal connection to the TT

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by erm626

I would guess they would be connected in series, by a cable positive to the negative to the second battery. Then the normal connection to the TT

Wouldn't that be parallel ?

[erm626]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Wouldn't that be parallel ?

I'm no expert but if you look back to a couple of Posts. It is explained better than i can. Series increases the voltage, where as parallel increases the amps. Think of a Flash light with 2 d batteries (1.5 v) they are in series. Making the flash light 3 volts.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Wouldn't that be parallel ?

12v- parallel
6v- series

Suggest that you Google "the 12 Volt Side of Life". Good primer on the two different RV electrical systems and 12v batteries vs 6v batteries.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Those are the shiz as far as most wanted batteries for RV's ? I bet they are expensive.

They are $89 at Costco.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by ARhappycamper

Those are the shiz as far as most wanted batteries for RV's ? I bet they are expensive.

They are not, as far as deep cycle batteries are concerned. They're a little over twice the cost (you have to buy 2) of a cheap 12V Group 24 but you get more than twice the usable capacity.

"The shiz" as you say, are 100A 12V LiFePO4 (aka LFP) batteries. They're shockingly expensive when you consider a battery purchase for the first time but the available power, recharge speed and expected useful life FAR exceeds any lead-acid variation.

If you're a weekend camper that usually camps where shore power is available, don't waste your money on LFP. But, if you camp for more than a couple of days in locations without electricity, including most national parks and many state parks, you should strongly consider LFP. Some brands are bullet-proof, assembled domestically, and expensive (e.g., Battleborn); others are very good, less expensive and worth considering (e.g., SOK batteries.)

If you're a DIY kinda guy, you can safely build your own good LFP batteries for cheap, but even those of us who are DIY'ers often just by 12V drop-in replacements.

[Dsimes]

Originally Posted by mac1_131

That's exactly what's it's for and my dealer delivered mine with two batteries and said if you have the solar you are supposed to get two batteries.

YMMV

That’s interesting, ours has solar but only one battery and the battery box is just big enough for one battery.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Dsimes

That’s interesting, ours has solar but only one battery and the battery box is just big enough for one battery.

Rockwoods come with a double battery box. The dealer's statement about solar and batteries is misinformed.

[Dsimes]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Rockwoods come with a double battery box. The dealer's statement about solar and batteries is misinformed.

Thank you for the clarification. 👍🏼

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Dsimes

Thank you for the clarification. 👍🏼

Until trailer manufacturers started installing small (inadequate) solar systems at the factory, most owners with solar systems have multiple batteries. But that's so they can store more power, not because the solar system has a special requirement.

[Daniel.mullins4]

Go camping a few times, that will determine your needs for for battery storage, most RVrs I know need 2 batteries and a 2000 watt Honda or equal generator for microwave, coffee maker and about 3 hour run time to charge the 2 batteries daily, myself I have 2 100 ah battle born with 320 watt solar, generator is for cloudy days charging batteries.

[jbflag21ds]

If the dealer won't install a second battery for free or a nominal charge then take it as they deliver and go the inexpensive dual 6v golf cart battery setup. Wire them in series as stated above. No additional equipment required other than another pair of cables.

If you ever think you'll boondock a lot then consider lithium. But not only are they $$$ you need to upgrade the factory converter (charger) to one that supports LiFePo4 or they'll never fully charge.

Regardless you should think about getting a Bluetooth enabled shunt and battery monitor so you know where you are at.

Regular lead batteries (flooded or AGM) can only be discharged 50% before damage occurs. Deep cycle lead and lithium can be fully discharged and be recovered.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by jbflag21ds

If the dealer won't install a second battery for free or a nominal charge then take it as they deliver and go the inexpensive dual 6v golf cart battery setup. Wire them in series as stated above. No additional equipment required other than another pair of cables.

If you ever think you'll boondock a lot then consider lithium. But not only are they $$$ you need to upgrade the factory converter (charger) to one that supports LiFePo4 or they'll never fully charge.

Regardless you should think about getting a Bluetooth enabled shunt and battery monitor so you know where you are at.

Regular lead batteries (flooded or AGM) can only be discharged 50% before damage occurs. Deep cycle lead and lithium can be fully discharged and be recovered.

While a Li-compatible charger would be ideal, the solar panel will top off the LFP battery without having to replace the charger.

[jbflag21ds]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

While a Li-compatible charger would be ideal, the solar panel will top off the LFP battery without having to replace the charger.

Yes, as long as there is enough sun.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by jbflag21ds

Yes, as long as there is enough sun.

It doesn't have to be fully charged every day. LFP is more forgiving than lead-acid in that regard. The difference between fully charged and not quite fully charged us not that much.

[jbflag21ds]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

It doesn't have to be fully charged every day. LFP is more forgiving than lead-acid in that regard. The difference between fully charged and not quite fully charged us not that much.

That is true. I'm about to get the hands on learning of the lithium systems shortly. I just got the first half of my power upgrades done.

[Kaffeeman]

Our dealer offered to install 2 x 6 volt deep cycle marine batteries, which pair well with our solar. I wouldn't change a thing.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Rockwoods come with a double battery box. The dealer's statement about solar and batteries is misinformed.

Rockwoods come with NO battery or box. It is up to dealer to install one. Or go my route and bring your own box that you like and better battery(s), which I did (Deka golf cart batts - East Penn battery company). Dealer cut me a check for what the box and battery would have been.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by erm626

I am purchasing a Roodwood Mini Lite 2104S which the dealer is setting up as I speak. It was shipped to the Dealer with a Solar Panel. I am being told they are putting a standard Deep cell battery standard size in the camper..... The black battery case is much longer than your normal battery. So my question is: what type of battery for a Solar Panel set up ? Is the Dealer Wrong, for using a regular Deep cell battery......

We have had two different solar systems since 2012. Spend the extra money and get lithium-ion batteries, or better yet, make the dealer pay for them.