RV Batteries

[Jack fr MO]

I am in need of a new battery for my slide in camper. Are any of you with campers using the new Odyssey dry cell battery? The Amps for those batteries appear to be much higher than for lead acid deep cycle batteries, but how does the reserve capacity compare? The information I have seen lists the Amps but does not list the reserve capacity. Summit Racing list an Odyssey rated at 1,200 amps for only $15 more than the Optima Yellow Top rated for 650 cold cranking amps but again does not list the reserve capacity. The battery I presently have is a Action Pack marine/RV with a 115 amp HR rating. I also need a battery with the stud /wing nut terminals. I have electric jacks on my camper so if I set the camper off and let it down it takes a lot of power to get it back up. Also not having to remove the battery from time to time to check the water would be a very welcome plus that comes with the Odyssey or Optima battery. If you have any comments positive or negative about either battery please either email or post your comments.

 

[RCook]

Jack,



Don't know how much room you have for a battery in your camper, and don't know about those Odyssey dry cells, but:



You don't want to evaluate based on CA (cranking amps) unless you're using the battery primarily for engine starting (very high amp current flow for a short duration, then a recharge). CA figures are largely irrelevant for loads much lower than starter motors. Diesel starters take 200-300 amps or more, but for only a short while. My 260hp Volvo boat engine takes 340 amps when the starter is cranking. I use Optima starting batteries for both it and the Cummins in my truck.



For an RV battery that runs lights or smaller motors for some time before recharging, you want a "deep cycle" battery, which can provide a moderate number of amps over a considerable period of time, and can be drawn down fairly far before recharge without damage. You need to know reserve capacity, or more conveniently the amp hour capacity (how many amps can it provide for how many hours). 100 AH means 10 amps for 10 hours, or 5A for 20 hours, etc.



If you have the room, an AGM battery that's larger than the Optima, but also requires no checking/refilling, might be the hot setup. For my boat's "house bank" (usage very similar to an RV's battery) I use a pair of G31 size AGM's which provide 105AH capacity. They're 13" long, 6. 75" wide, 9. 4" high, and weigh 69lb each. You can take them down to 40% of their capacity or a bit lower without worrying at all about damage, so their usable capacity is maybe 63AH. They stay charged for a very long time when unused, and don't mind being left in the cold. Their only disadvantage is up-front cost. I paid $150 each.



Flooded (standard lead acid) batteries not only require checking/refill, but are much more easily damaged by draining them too far, leaving them for long periods of time w/o recharging, freezing temperatures, vibration and tipping, etc.



Manufacturers include East Penn Deka (the ones I have - sold under several different labels), Interstate, and Concorde Lifeline.

 

[Jack fr MO]

Richard

So is the AGM a truly sealed lead acid like the Optima? I had lead acid batteries that you couldn't check or add water that didn't last long because the ran out of water, and they were only used on vehicle.



Thanks for your input.

 

[RCook]

Jack,



The AGM's I'm refering to are truly sealed batteries, like Optima. The Optima is a spiral-wound lightweight version of an AGM.



If you're interested in these, the Deka model I have is 8A31DT, which is available via the West Marine catalog (under their label) at a much higher price than I paid. Perhaps Deka can tell you another label or supplier to look for. They are on the web at :



http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/



When I had done my research and decided which ones I wanted, I went to a local industrial battery supplier and asked them if they could get AGM's made by Deka, and they were able to, without the marine sort of high pricing.

 

[TowPro]

Here is a link that covers everything you want to know about RV batteries



Check it out.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

Tow Pro, good link. Also leads to other useful articles and information.