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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery Level
    Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 4:17pm
Originally posted by lily965


I don't know whether to use a 6V or a 12V battery. I read an article on the Internet, but I am still a little confused.


The R-pod had a 12V (nominal) system and uses deep-cycle batteries that can be deeply discharged without undue loss of life. 

 A 12V battery is six 2V (nominal) cells in series.  A 6V battery is 3 in series.  You can use two or more 6V batteries, or one, or more, 12V batteries each connected properly to arrive at the Amp-Hours capacity you need for your situation (think volume like gallons, liters or cubic miles).  There is additional bug dust to this that's important. 

It seems that two 6V GC2 batteries, in series, gives the largest A-Hr capacity that easily fits on the battery rack.  Should you find a 12V deep cycle battery of similar capacity, like a group 921 battery, it would work just as well as two 6V batteries.  Some would be lighter and cheaper, and the connections would be simpler. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 11:00am
+1.  Two 6V golf cart batteries (size GC2) are the largest that will fit in the battery rack. Get those if you plan to do much boondocking and can handle the additional tongue weight. The golf cart batteries are inexpensive and designed for deep cycle applications. If your tow vehicle can't handle it or if you will be using shore power get a single 12V battery. Don't get an auto starting battery, get either a 12V golf cart battery if you can or at least a marine "deep cycle" battery. 

Plain old flooded batteries that you maintain by adding distilled water are usually the best choice, less expensive and better able to handle occasional overcharging. If you can't bring yourself to maintain the battery then get an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery. Much more expensive though. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 5:02am
Your decision will be based upon your camping 'lifestyle.'  Do you normally boondock or camp in areas where electricity is not available such as in national parks?  If that is the case the decision to go with a pair of 6v batteries is in your favor.  However if you usually camp where electricity is available and only occasionally camp where it is not, then the single 12v battery would be the obvious choice.

Then you have the weight factor on the tongue of your rpod verses what your tow vehicle can handle.  If you are towing with a full size pickup this is not an issue but if you are using a smaller SUV or lightweight pickup, then this becomes something also you will need to consider.  If you usually camp with electricity available and rarely boondock a single 12v battery is all you need.  The weight of a group size 12v deep cycle battery will weigh in at 50 - 55 lbs verses the mandatory 2 6 volt batteries you will have to purchase (to get to 12v) which will weigh in a 140 lbs or more for the pair.

When camping is your style simple (minimal use of electric) or do you have power hungry items that are needed when camping such as a CPAP machine or similar?

Finally, are you going to utilize solar or a generator?  If so and you don't boondock all that often I would go lightweight and opt for the single 12 volt option.

I usually boondock but only stay put in one place for 6 days at most.  Even in cold weather (night temps 38 - 50 degrees) I will get 3 days each out of my 10 year old 12v group size 24 deep cycle Interstate batteries.  After 3 days they are down to 60% S.O.C. or 12.2v and then switched over to the other battery.   IF either solar or generator were utilized (which i don't) then staying in one place would be much longer. 

Also remember that as you travel your tow vehicle will be charging the battery on your R-Pod so when you arrive at your destination the pods battery should be fully charged.  This is taking into account that as you travel you will be running the fridge on propane, that travel time will be more than just a couple hours and that you haven't discharged your battery more than 50% S.O.C.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 2:20am

I don't know whether to use a 6V or a 12V battery. I read an article on the Internet, but I am still a little confused.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 4:18pm
I added a LED Battery Gauge with USB and 12V lighter port to extra circuit in fuse panel, at a glance I can see battery level. Added to dinette seat, I can see from outside RV.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 12:33pm
Sailor, yes both batteries are mounted on the a-frame as is also a pair of 20# propane tanks.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 10:18am
Look into getting two 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries and connecting them in series. Case size GC2. They are the largest size that will fit on the tongue, have the most available capacity, are designed to handle deep cycling, and are very cost effective. Also, the series connection is better than two 12V batteries in parallel because it keeps the same current flowing in and out of both batteries. The drawback is tongue weight, which will go up by 70-80 lbs so be sure your tow vehicle can handle it. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 10:00am
Do you have both those group 24's mounted on the tongue?  I'm considering replacing my one group 27 with two batteries so I have more capacity.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 8:55am
+1 to Marwaynes post.  A voltmeter is a cheap but necessary tool you need to keep an eye on your battery strength.  I purchased mine years ago at Harbor Freight for $3.  The two batteries I own are 12v Interstate group size 24 deep cycles.  Purchase dates are 12/2010 and 3/2011.  They were last charged October 31 and Nov. 1 on a 2 amp trickle charge for 24 hours each and currently reside on a cement floor in an unheated garage.  A few days ago the voltage was read and recorded.  12.59v and 12.71v; not bad for batteries of this age.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2020 at 1:11am
Thanks that helps.  I'll have to check that out next time I'm using the rpod.
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