Batteries question 12 vs 6v

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    I have an Rpod 178. Recently both 6v golf cart batteries died while in a remote location. The best battery I could find within 100 miles was a 12v deep cell battery for boats and RV's. I changed the cables around and made it work to get home but am now considering refitting the battery system. I now have two 12V deep cell batteries that will fit nicely into my battery boxes when wired in parallel. One is three days old, one about a year, both in good condition. These are batteries supposedly designed for use with boats or RVs. My local RV guy tells me I should use two 6v golf cart batteries because they will give me "a deeper charge" whatever that means. I am mostly using shore power when camping, which is why I didn't realize my old batteries were toast.  
I'm wondering, a.) whether what my RV guy says is true and b.) whether it is worth buying two new 6v batteries and letting two good 12v  batteries sit on the bench and c.) what are the advantages/disadvantages of 6v vs 12v?
Can you tell I'm new to this stuff?

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Gulo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Feb 2024 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gulo Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Batteries question 12 vs 6v Posted: 18 Sep 2024 at 9:05pm
	I have an Rpod 178. Recently both 6v golf cart batteries died while in a remote location. The best battery I could find within 100 miles was a 12v deep cell battery for boats and RV's. I changed the cables around and made it work to get home but am now considering refitting the battery system. I now have two 12V deep cell batteries that will fit nicely into my battery boxes when wired in parallel. One is three days old, one about a year, both in good condition. These are batteries supposedly designed for use with boats or RVs. My local RV guy tells me I should use two 6v golf cart batteries because they will give me "a deeper charge" whatever that means. I am mostly using shore power when camping, which is why I didn't realize my old batteries were toast. I'm wondering, a.) whether what my RV guy says is true and b.) whether it is worth buying two new 6v batteries and letting two good 12v batteries sit on the bench and c.) what are the advantages/disadvantages of 6v vs 12v? Can you tell I'm new to this stuff?

Riobug Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Apr 2024 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riobug Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 2024 at 8:18am
	Do not know about the battery charge, etc., but a major reason for using 6v in a boat is that, for comparable energy, one can actually lift the batteries without a crane and fit them in cramped spaces. If your 12 volts fit and have a tough case then probably good enough for the next 3-5 years.

gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 398	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 2024 at 8:35am
	You will get all kinds of opinions on this. There are some old-schoolers that think two 6 volt batteries are the beez kneez. I had two 12v batteries as you have now and never had an issue. This debate rages on the Escape forum as well. What I do know is that the age difference between your two batteries could prove to be a problem. Batteries in a battery bank should be close in age.
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2707	Post Options Post Reply Quote GlueGuy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 2024 at 7:04pm
	+1 WRT what Gpokluda said. Some say the charge will be more balanced with 2 6-volt batteries in series. That said, we have been using 2 12-volt batteries since ours was new in 2017.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Alan-D Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alan-D Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Sep 2024 at 4:43pm
	Gpokluda has it right. Get yourself a battery load tester (<$30) to keep an eye on the batteries. In a few years when one them starts show replace, get 2 new batteries. No need to spend money now. In a couple of years you may have sold your camper or new battery technology will help you make up your mind.