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Topic Closeddeep cycle or cranking battery ?
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On Golden Pod View Drop Down
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Joined: 31 Aug 2013
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: deep cycle or cranking battery ?
    Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 5:23pm
So I just found out that my dealer sold me a cranking battery on my pod. I thought you needed a deep cycle battery for trailers, not one designed to give you short bursts of power and the recover? Has anyone ever had a cranking battery on there trailer? Should I get a battery design for deep cycle use?Confused I called the dealer and they said that is what they put on all there trailersConfused
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 5:30pm
If it really is a "cranking" battery it is wrong. An automotive battery is a "cranking" battery. There is such a thing as a mirine battery that is sort of a compromise: an engine starting battery that will take some deeper discharge. The proper solution is a deep cycle battery designed for the application. If you really have an auto type battery it needs replacing. It will not perform for you. Let's hear it for dealers!
Charlie
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 8:22pm
So when I get a closer look it says  cranking marine battery so this must be one designed to do both? I will try to post a picture.
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 8:30pm
It depends. If you don't usually dry camp, or if you only spend one night without shore power, a marine-starting battery will likely perform just fine for you.

If, on the other hand, you regularly spend several days off the grid, and you need the ability to deplete your battery, then a deep cycle battery would be best.

Regardless, any salesman who tries to convince you that installing a starting-marine battery on ANY travel trailer is lying. Personally, I'd have a one-on-one discussion with the dealership's owner.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 8:50pm
So I guess my question would be is it wrong for them to sell a marine/starting battery with a r-pod  or is it just not the best battery for several days off the grid. I have no problem talking with the dealership owners but I want to know I am in the right before I bring the issue up. It will work for me with my current plans as I will be hitting mostly state parks with electric hook ups but my plan is to travel to national parks were several days off the grid may be what is needed. My plan was to get two of the same batteries and place them in parallel hook up. That is how I discovered this battery in the first place The dealer is about 1 1/2 hour drive and I plan to go tomorrow to get the r-dome I ordered. I think i need to mention this to them when I get there.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 9:07pm
If it doesn't say "deep cycle" on it, "marine deep cycle" is common, then it is only a starting battery and won't stand up to more than a half-dozen deep cycles before it is damaged.  For the average camper with a few days off-grid a month a marine deep cycle battery is the best middle ground between cost and longevity.  If you'll do a ton of camping without hookups you'll want a true deep cycle battery. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2013 at 9:32pm
Originally posted by On Golden Pod

So I guess my question would be is it wrong for them to sell a marine/starting battery with a r-pod  or is it just not the best battery for several days off the grid. I have no problem talking with the dealership owners but I want to know I am in the right before I bring the issue up. It will work for me with my current plans as I will be hitting mostly state parks with electric hook ups but my plan is to travel to national parks were several days off the grid may be what is needed. My plan was to get two of the same batteries and place them in parallel hook up. That is how I discovered this battery in the first place The dealer is about 1 1/2 hour drive and I plan to go tomorrow to get the r-dome I ordered. I think i need to mention this to them when I get there.


The marine cranking battery will be OK for commercial and state parks sites where you are off the grid for short periods with frequent recharges. However, if you intend to buy a second battery anyway there is a much better, albeit more expensive, option. Consider buying two 6 volt golf cart batteries. They will fit in the existing battery tray and Group 24/GC2 battery boxes. Wire them in series for 12 volts. Interstate and Trojan make GC2 golfers that will give you 230 amp-hrs compared to 160 amp-hrs for the two standard group 24 batteries. I wish I had known this before I bought my second battery.
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2013 at 2:50am
But, what it boils down to is this:  The dealer should have put in a deep cycle battery.  That is what a camper is supposed to have... period.

Terry
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Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2013 at 8:19am
Thanks Terry 
      That is what I was thinking everyone was hinting at. Well I am not sure what I am going to do at this point. I was thinking about just getting two deep cycle batteries and removing the marine /cranking battery but I know it wont be a costly move. I do plan to go off the grid probably next spring and summer but for now what I have will work. I was also beginning to look at the solar panel aspect or recharging the batteries. I guess I need to look here more for other posts on the subject.Thanks everyone!
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