marc71
South East VA
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Joined: 08/18/2008
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Hey all, I know this has been talked about and debated in here and there a few times, but here's my version of the question. TT batteries: I'm about to get 2 new batteries, 2 - 12V deep cycle (NAPA brand or something like it 90 bucks ea) or 2 - 6v deep cycle (Trojan T-105 128 bucks ea.)? That is the question!!! We generally dry camp for 3-5 days when we go to races (we're leaving for Martinsville on Thursday). We're not huge energy hogs, but will need to run the water pump, some lights from time to time and the radio... Plus, we have a 1500 watt modi-sinewave inverter to catch some of the pre race info on a 19" flat panel tv and satellite box. Is there really a HUGE difference between 2-6's and 2-12's? Are we talking days difference before charging is necessary. We're bringing our 5500 generator, but it's not very ummmm... neighbor friendly! So,,, who's got what and how well does it work becuase that is a pretty good size difference in price not to mention having to get new boxes to hold the taller 6v batteries if they make them? Thanks for the help...
2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD 4x4
2003 Keystone Springdale 268 BHL-GL
Prodigy Brake Control
Eaz-Lift WD - Eaz-Lift sway control
Picture Comming as soon as I can figure out my WD and get the truck to sit the way it should!
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MarionMedic
Marion, MS
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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You have to figure your AMP usage for all those "gadgets" as well as your normal TT's "ghost" draw.
Then how long they will be pulling those loads.
This will tell you how many amp hours you are USING.
Then see how many amp hours you have with your battery choice.
Use the formulas given elsewhere to determine how much is available without depleting batts too far.
TWO might serve your needs.
Might take more.
Since we are talking about a car race, I'm sure some noise from a genny won't be that big a deal during the "busy" times of day.
1997 Chevy 3500 LWB Crew-Cab Dually 6.5 turbo-diesel
2005 Jayco JayFlight 29BHS
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dgo1369
Georgetown, TX, US
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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I prefer the 105's as they have been long lasting and dependable. Others will like Costco, WalMart, Oxide or others. My guess is that they will all do the trick for you, but again, I think 105's are hard to beat. No scientific evidence to back it up as you will no dobut get from others, just my personal experience.
Dennis Osha
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JIH
Albuquerque NM
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Joined: 09/30/2007
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You get about 20% more energy on a charge with the two 6-volts. Thats the upside. The downside is that if one fails you are out of luck. If one 12V fails you just disconnect it and turn off half of the power draw. That said I run with two 6-volts and I am willing to let it bite me someday, or never!!
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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Even IF you don't care for them, you're gonna' get twice the life for 50% more $ with 105s.....it's a no-brainer.......take good care of them and you'll easily get 3 X the life out of 105s.....
J
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bryanl
Reno, NV
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Joined: 12/25/2003
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Your available energy capacity will depend mostly upon the weight of the batteries, not the brand or voltage.
Trojan batteries last no longer than any other if properly managed and used. (see Az WindSun FAQ). It is the proper management and use of the batteries that makes the difference, not the trade name.
The trade-offs you will find in any particular manufacturer's line are primarily on cost, capacity, and 'ruggedness' and the variances aren't really all that much for any batteries you can find for RV service.
Bryan
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djgarcia95928
Northern, Ca. , USA
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Joined: 07/26/2002
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I prefer the 105's as they have been long lasting and dependable. Others will like Costco, WalMart, Oxide or others. My guess is that they will all do the trick for you, but again, I think 105's are hard to beat. No scientific evidence to back it up as you will no dobut get from others, just my personal experience.
Just my experience, My Trojan 105's lasted 5 1/2 yrs. I replaced them with Golf cart 6V batteries from Les Schwab for about $45 less per battery. I like being able to go to ANY Les Schwab in the western states to resolve and/or replace products. Les Schwab is the last of the "Good Guys" company left who just fix my problems without all the warranty B.S. excuses!!! Just my experiences!
Dick
djgarcia@earthlink.net
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dgo1369
Georgetown, TX, US
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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djgarcia95928 wrote:I prefer the 105's as they have been long lasting and dependable. Others will like Costco, WalMart, Oxide or others. My guess is that they will all do the trick for you, but again, I think 105's are hard to beat. No scientific evidence to back it up as you will no dobut get from others, just my personal experience.
Just my experience, My Trojan 105's lasted 5 1/2 yrs. I replaced them with Golf cart 6V batteries from Les Schwab for about $45 less per battery. I like being able to go to ANY Les Schwab in the western states to resolve and/or replace products. Les Schwab is the last of the "Good Guys" company left who just fix my problems without all the warranty B.S. excuses!!! Just my experiences!
Interesting that you brought up your positive Les Schwab experiences after a series of rants against them here not long ago. I happen to agree with you about them and wish we had them here where I live. I have nothing but good to say about my experiences with them whenever I travel in the NW.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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my Trojans are going on 14 years, and for the last 4 years I have been expecting to have to replace them...
the Trojans in my electric golf cart are (E5) may of 1995 and still going strong...
the originals were ten years old and the new ones made little difference in performance...
I guess I wasted my money replacing them so soon...
it should be easy to guess what mine will be replaced with... I think when I bought the last ones they were about $40 and I thought it was really a lot then to...
if you want 6V golf cart batteries for less they are $66.+ at Sam's...
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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bryanl
Reno, NV
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Joined: 12/25/2003
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Quote:I guess I wasted my money replacing them so soon...
anecdotal measures are no substitute for a proper statistical analysis and should be used with care in evaluating one's options.
I also think satirical remarks are not helpful as they tend to imply elevating an anecdotal outlier as being 'average' and this is misleading.
There is a reason why you can get a 7 year warranty on a battery for SLI service but only 2 or 3 on essentially the same battery for RV service. It is related to why Trojan only offers a 90 day warranty and many commercial batteries do not have any warranty.
IMHO there are way too many anecdotes regarding battery life and utility and nowhere near enough proper measures. It misleads many into spending a lot of money or effort that really wasn't warranted from a utilitarian perspective.
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