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Battery replacement?

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Jeff_NH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Jeff_NH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery replacement?
    Posted: 25 Aug 2025 at 3:02pm
Hello all
Apologies in advance for asking questions you've probably seen many times already.  I've seen some answers but all in different topics with slightly different situations.

I'm trying to determine if my 12V batteries need replacement.

I'm a relatively new (2nd camping season) owner of a 2018 RPOD 180.  We tend to camp boondock with it on about 50% of our trips.  Last summer was fine in terms of battery life.  we would get 3ish days without the batteries ever dropping below the 1/3 light on the panel.  I've read some opinions on here about those lights so I just bought a bluetooth voltage monitor, but the little buttons/lights are all I had last summer.

I took the batteries inside and had them on a tender/charger all winter.

This summer we did a boondock trip earlier in the season that was fine.  then a 3 day trip in June with plugin, so no worries.  luckily, I procured a generator just before our most recent trip.  

After that June trip the camper stayed unplugged for a couple weeks, possibly a month.  Then I plugged the camper in to charge the batteries. but at this point, I didn't check battery charge, just plugged in the camper.
On this most recent trip (early Aug) we had a full week with no plug ins.  but between the time plugged in at home and 5 hr drive, I'm confident the batteries were fully charged when we got to the campground.  but after the first day, they were drained down to 1/3 or less.  the water pump was making the lights dim when it went on.  we proceeded to spend the next 4 days plugging the camper in to the generator at least once a day, but watching the batteries drain down to 1/3 or less before we went to sleep.  2 nights they got so low the CO alarm went off and the lights on the radio panel went out.

so my question is... is it true that if the battery's voltage drops below 12.2, it sustains damage and needs testing?  I assume that means like at Autozone.  I'm going to take them in to be tested.  But I wanted to ask for confirmation that they shouldn't fall below a certain VDC.

We have two Everstart 24MS batteries.  I think that means marine starting amps as opposed to deep cycle, which sound like they're not exactly optimal for running camper electronics for as long as possible.  I think they are at least 3 years old but could be older.  But until I left the camper unplugged in July I'm confident they were properly cared for with a tender.

on this recent trip where they were dying, we didn't have any serious load on them other than the water pump.  fridge and water heater were on propane.  no roof fan nor furnace.  no radio and lights were used sparingly.

I was considering a swap to LiFePO4, doing the research on an updated converter any everything... but may just go with a pair of new interstate marine deep cycle lead acid.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rpod-Couple Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2025 at 5:49pm
My understanding is 12.2V is considered 60% charge capacity for a good battery. At 11.8V you are at 30% charge and starting to impact battery life. Below 11.6V your battery may not recover.

Have you checked water levels in the cells? Low water level will cause low capacity.

Good luck sorting this out.
Steve & Elaine
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poohbill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote poohbill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2025 at 8:05pm
When were the batteries manufactured? Do you have any information from the previous owner?
2016 179 Gastropod
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Post Options Post Options   Quote poohbill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Aug 2025 at 8:16pm
Your description gives me the impression designing a new battery system would be a pleasurable exercise. If so, you will only waste time on the current cell - buy new flooded lead-acid in the spring and sally forth. Before considering 6V cells, check whether their additional height fits - they didn’t on my 179. I haven’t read anything attractive in Lithium up in our cold climate.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Pod People Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Aug 2025 at 11:12am
We have used several different battery makes,sizes  and configurations since our first R Pod in 2011.
Without question, the best solution for us has been 2 6v Trojan batteries. They are costly, but last long enough to make them well worth the extra cost. The extra amp hours(ah) are perfect for boondocking.

We did have to buy a new battery box as they are slightly taller than the regular 12v batteries that usually come installed.

 I just looked at the Trojan website-they currently list a T-125 6v lead acid battery at 240ah. This is the highest rated ah battery available in flooded lead acid batteries. 

Using 2 6v batteries in series will give you more ah capacity that any 12v single battery.
If you truly want to have power while boondocking, these are the batteries to use.

We use them in conjunction with a 100watt solar suitcase and a Honda 2200 generator and have been on the road for as long as 3 months with no hookups.

I am not associated wiith Trojan other than a very satisfied user for over 6 years.

Travel often and safe 
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2025 at 7:35am
To monitor batteries effectively, there is nothing better than a shunt coupled to a battery monitor. I have a Victron BMV-712 SMART on my current rig and used the Renogy 500A on my previous Rpod. The Victron is is more expensive than the Renogy but a hundred times better.

I've been using LiFEPO4 batteries for 3 years now. I would never go back to AGM or FLA batteries. Do your research and you will find you can get one in just about any size that meets your needs. You will also have to check your power converter/charger to see if has a Lithium setting. 
Gpokluda
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2025 at 7:46pm
Another Trojan battery fan here, and yes we boondock a lot and do not utilize solar or generator.  We carry two 12v batteries: 14 yr. old Interstate deep cycle and a 5 yr. old Trojan T-1275 (160 aH).  They are good for 6 boondocking days when night temps are in the 40's, it is the furnace that eats up aH, if we are camping in warmer climates, we can go much longer.  The T-1275 is a heavyweight at 85 lbs, but is very useful to me as we always carry a full FW tank of water, which is located behind the axle.  Our tongue weight with a fully loaded 177 (weighs in at 2940 lbs) is 340#, which is more than the 11% needed to reduce/eliminate trailer sway.  
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."
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Post Options Post Options   Quote poohbill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2025 at 8:30pm
How the heck do you tote an 85lber?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2025 at 7:21am
Originally posted by poohbill

How the heck do you tote an 85lber?

Exactly. Premium golf cart batteries should come with a gym membership. 
Gpokluda
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2025 at 9:39pm
Fortunately I only have to move it 2x/year.  In spring when installing and in fall when I place it directly on a concrete floor in an unheated garage in northern Michigan.  Yes, I grit my teeth when lifting yet it is lighter than the 50 kilo bags of concrete I have toted around in Guyana and Nicaragua.  BTW 50 kilos = 110 lbs.  I wonder if that is why the men in Guyana and Nicaragua are so short!
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."
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