Deep cycle batteries

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   I am afraid that I killed my dealer-provided deep cycle/marine battery by using it instead of shore power. I put the cables on with the wrong polarity and the fuses blew without me knowing it. That night the trailer lights suddenly became very dim.
We're off to a cold Yellowstone next week and we'll need the furnace. The local battery places (Walmart, Sears) are tremendously ignorant about RV batteries, even worse than me. I don't want the complexity of golf cart batteries. Gander Mountain MAY have what I need. Specifically, what do I tell them to get a proper replacement - 

Will  "Group 24 deep cycle marine/RV battery, and not a starter battery" do the job?? 

I'd really prefer a pure "deep cycle" non-marine one, but when I say this, no one around me knows what I'm talking about. Are there any specific numbers that I should be using??

Thanks for any help.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Happy Tripping Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 473	Topic: Deep cycle batteries Posted: 10 May 2016 at 5:29pm
	I am afraid that I killed my dealer-provided deep cycle/marine battery by using it instead of shore power. I put the cables on with the wrong polarity and the fuses blew without me knowing it. That night the trailer lights suddenly became very dim. We're off to a cold Yellowstone next week and we'll need the furnace. The local battery places (Walmart, Sears) are tremendously ignorant about RV batteries, even worse than me. I don't want the complexity of golf cart batteries. Gander Mountain MAY have what I need. Specifically, what do I tell them to get a proper replacement - Will "Group 24 deep cycle marine/RV battery, and not a starter battery" do the job?? I'd really prefer a pure "deep cycle" non-marine one, but when I say this, no one around me knows what I'm talking about. Are there any specific numbers that I should be using?? Thanks for any help.

podrunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 May 2013 Location: Draper, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:04pm
	Check out Exide Nautilus series. They offer both a dual purpose and a deep cycle. I bought mine at a "Home and Ranch" store. I believe Home Depot sells them as well. BTW buy a size 27, just a bit more $, and quite a few more amps. Good Luck..
	2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan

johnmaci Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:35pm
	Lifeline AGM Battery is supposedly the gold standard. Here is a good review: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/best-rv-battery-choosing-reviews/2/

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:53pm
	Are you sure you ruined the battery? The fuse is there so that if you do reverse the polarity, you don't damage the battery or your electrical system. If you blew the fuse, your battery should be fine. If you haven't done it already, you can take it to any auto parts store and have them check the battery for free. I'd do that before spending money on a new one. If it is shot, yes, any group 24 battery sold as "marine/deep cycle" would be fine. If you have a Costco membership, they seem to have the best prices on them, and they're usually in stock. If you are looking for more amp hours than the "marine/deep cycle" battery it came with (which undoubtedly isn't a true deep cycle), two six volt golf cart batteries seems to be the way to go. I have two 12 volt "deep cycles" on ours, and that has proven to be plenty of amp hours for our needs (3 days or so off grid).
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 7:56pm
	I went the dual six volt deep cycle batteries purchased at our local Batteries & Bulbs (AKA Batteries Plus) store. They are wired in series to deliver 12 volts. If you go dual 12 volt, then those need to be wired in parallel or else you will wind up with 24 volts instead of the 12 you need.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 8:59pm
	How will you camp off-grid? Boondock often and for long periods of time? Just for the weekend every once in a while? If the later, your best bet for your money is the Everstart marine DC-series at Walmart. I used to maintain a bank of 16 of them and it was the best $/amp bang for the buck for lighter use. No reason to go to two 6 volts for this. If you will do it often and long, go for a true deep-cycle like Trojan. Two 6 volt batts.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3224	Posted: 10 May 2016 at 9:15pm
	We have had 2 12v group 24 deep cycle marine batteries on our 177 for 5 years, now beginning our 6th year. Even last fall when we were at RMNP and using our furnace a lot (temps in the mid to upper 30's at night, we would still easily get 3 - 4 days out of each battery before it got to 1/3 of a charge and I would have to change over to the other one. So in essence we easily get 1 full week out of both our batteries even after 5 years.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 11 May 2016 at 6:21am
	So, I wonder if the reverse polarity actually harmed the battery? Why not put it on the charger and see if it charges?
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 11 May 2016 at 10:10am


john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611	Posted: 11 May 2016 at 10:12am
	According to a book I have, a fully charged 12v battery should read 12.6v. Have you checked the fuses?