Deep cycle batteries
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7909
Printed Date: 06 May 2024 at 3:55am
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Topic: Deep cycle batteries
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Subject: Deep cycle batteries
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 5:29pm
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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.
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Replies:
Posted By: podrunner
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:04pm
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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 |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:35pm
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Lifeline AGM Battery is supposedly the gold standard. Here is a good review:
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/best-rv-battery-choosing-reviews/2/
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Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:53pm
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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." 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 7:56pm
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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,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 8:59pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 10 May 2016 at 9:15pm
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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." |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 6:21am
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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 |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 10:10am
Posted By: john in idaho
Date 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? |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 11 May 2016 at 12:02pm
If I follow your explanation your battery is probably OK. The reverse polarity fuses are there to protect the converter and they've done their job. You ran the battery down once, which decreased its life, but not killed it. Replace the fuses and let it recharge from the converter for 24 hours and try it again. After disconnecting shore power and letting the battery sit for several hours with no load on it, the voltage should be 12.6-12.7. If so it's probably OK. Repeated discharges or prolonged discharged periods will decrease battery life, but once is not the end. That said, we all recommend dual 6V golfers if you plan to do any off grid camping. It's not at all complicated. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 9:39am
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My sincere 'thank you' for all of the responses. I frankly admit that I panicked at our imminent trip to Yellowstone in May with no battery. Being a Klutz (After all, I did misconnect the battery) the thought of the complexity of 2 batteries is daunting. Not the first connection, but repeated connections/disconnections with the trailer, trickle charger, etc. A group 27 battery might be a good first step to improved dry camping for me. We're off the day after tomorrow for 3 weeks, again, thanks to all the responses.
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Posted By: Kantuckid
Date Posted: 14 May 2016 at 1:18pm
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One of the biggest favors you can do for your battery(I'd buy the biggest deep cycle 12v Walmart sells) is to buy one of the better battery tenders. As a motorcycle rider this is a common topic that comes up when storing them. There are several brands but don't make assumptions based on whats familiar. I ruined a pricey trolling motor via a Sears DieHard tender several years back after it cooked my new battery! I use CTEK and Battery Tender for my cycles and farm tractor=bunches of them. There a few others that are also good. Avoid cheapo stuff from Walmart or any other bargain brands, like Harbor Freight-batteries are too expensive to overcharge! You need a smart charging type tender!!! It's easy to hook up two 12v batteries-google is your friend and all you need is a some heavy cables from a salvage yard (the friendly kind that allows stuff they never sell to go cheap) You'll need to solder or crimp heavy terminal ends after cutting to length for wiring set-up. |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 18 May 2016 at 8:35pm
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Do you have a duel battery box for the 2batteries? If you do, where did you get it?
Thanks, Ken ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 8:05am
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This has some good information about marine batteries: https://marinebatteryguy.com/deep-cycle-battery/ - https://marinebatteryguy.com/deep-cycle-battery/ Essentially, what you are looking for is a deep cycle battery, regardless whether it is labeled marine or not. For that, you would need to look at the rating, specifically, the 20 hour rating. This site has a lot of information about batteries. It is worth the time it takes to wade through it. It will answer a lot of questions (and probably provoke a few more). https://rvside.com/best-rv-deep-cycle-battery-reviews/ - https://rvside.com/best-rv-deep-cycle-battery-reviews/ My take is that LiFePO4 batteries, while expensive are not as bad a deal as they used to be since the price has come down. Up front they are more expensive than flooded, AGM, or Gel batteries and require other modifications such as replacing the converter and possibly adding a DC to DC charger for charging while towing if a lot of time is going to be spent on the road. However, their 3,000+ charge/discharge cycles mean they should last for many years in use. That is what I did. You can see it in my mods. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 2:21pm
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Ask for a trolling motor (deep-cycle) battery.
------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |