New battery question

[rapidly]

We're heading out on 8/2 and I need to replace the batteries on my popup. We currently have two 12V's but they are old and s/b replaced. Been thinking about replacing then with golf cart batteries, is that a good idea? Will two of those have the same output as my current pair? Anything else I should know before making that switch? Any input appreciated.

[cboss]

Golf cart batteries will be fine. They are normally 6 volt DC each, so you will need two of them in series.
For a pop-up I would suggest one 12 volt AGM.
You are going to get a lot of answers here and a lots of talk about available amps.
There are tons of threads on this subject. Do a SEARCH (upper right on home page).

[Flybob]

Before you try to decide what to do you should identify your needs. Do you do a lot of boondocking? Has the 2 12V batteries worked well for you? Can you tolerate additional hitch weight? What does your fridge operate on?

[rapidly]

Thanks for all the input. I did enough research to know there's just a lot to learn about batteries. Didn't have time to make a thouroughly considered decision so went with what I hope is the right choice and got two of these. Are these a good workable choice? Or could I have done better at Wal Mart, there's still time today. We're leaving tomorrow for a 6 day boondock, and will use power only for water pump, a few LED lights, and the roof lifter -- will not use furnace nor fridge, which will run on gas. (Rockwood Freedom popup)

[rsdata]

Costco or Sams Club have the best prices on 6V golf cart batteries about $100 each
take your old ones in for core charge

[rapidly]

Sorry I forgot to include the photo. I got 12v, not having time to deal with switching to 6V. Will these be OK?

[rsdata]

you bought minimal batteries... do not let them get too discharged... below 12.0 VDC otherwise they will be permanently compromised and never hold a full charge again... Do you have a voltmeter to monitor the state of charge (voltage)?
Any cheap one will do

[rsdata]

they should last 6-7 days but monitor the voltage... don't destroy what you just bought

I just saw that they were DEEP cycle and not Dual Purpose

[rapidly]

thanks! Deep cycle is good, dual purpose bad, right? So if they're deep cycle are these good, or could I do better at Wal Mart? I will pick up a voltage meter today. Thanks again for the input.

[rapidly]

Another question: I plan to hook them up in series, as an earlier poster showed. To test them, do you put the red lead on the + terminal of one battery and the black lead on the - terminal of the other battery? I'm pretty ignorant about 12V matters so really appreciate this.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by rapidly

We're heading out on 8/2 and I need to replace the batteries on my popup. We currently have two 12V's but they are old and s/b replaced. Been thinking about replacing then with golf cart batteries, is that a good idea? Will two of those have the same output as my current pair? Anything else I should know before making that switch? Any input appreciated.

I’ve used one $50 Walmart M24 since 2018 in my 31 ft trailer, been across the country and back and camped regionally and locally at least a dozen times. One of the Best $50 I’ve spent on RV stuff.

[Virginian]

Originally Posted by rapidly

Another question: I plan to hook them up in series, as an earlier poster showed. To test them, do you put the red lead on the + terminal of one battery and the black lead on the - terminal of the other battery? I'm pretty ignorant about 12V matters so really appreciate this.

No, you don’t want to connect 12 volt batteries in series. Connect in parallel, positive to positive and negative to negative.

[JLeising]

Originally Posted by rapidly

Another question: I plan to hook them up in series, as an earlier poster showed. To test them, do you put the red lead on the + terminal of one battery and the black lead on the - terminal of the other battery? I'm pretty ignorant about 12V matters so really appreciate this.

Don’t hook two 12 volts in series. That would result in 24 volts to your RV and would cause failures. Series connection is used to connect two 6 volt batteries to a 12 volt system.

[bikendan]

Here is a primer every RV newbie should read:
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

[cboss]

Originally Posted by rapidly

Another question: I plan to hook them up in series, as an earlier poster showed. To test them, do you put the red lead on the + terminal of one battery and the black lead on the - terminal of the other battery? I'm pretty ignorant about 12V matters so really appreciate this.

Like the one on the left! Otherwise you get 24 volts.

[Eddie and Catherine]

Originally Posted by rapidly

Another question: I plan to hook them up in series, as an earlier poster showed. To test them, do you put the red lead on the + terminal of one battery and the black lead on the - terminal of the other battery? I'm pretty ignorant about 12V matters so really appreciate this.

If you are just replacing like kind in batteries, why would you want to hook them up differently from the way the two original batteries were hooked up. They need to work side by side (Parallel) not in line (series)

[rapidly]

Whoops! Thanks all for setting me straight. Parallel is probably what I meant, what do I know. The help is much appreciated!

[cboss]

Make sure you use real battery cables for the parallel hookup, not just some cinchy wire. You can get them at any auto parts joint.
And we are all glad to help.

[rapidly]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Here is a primer every RV newbie should read:
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

This is great, thanks! Wish I’d known this long ago. A copy of it should be part of every RV purchase.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rapidly

This is great, thanks! Wish I’d known this long ago. A copy of it should be part of every RV purchase.

It's in our Forum Library also.