Battery Life in the Wilds

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Jmac

Jmac

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Posts
77
Location
Texas
Here is my question:
We have a small TT, air, miccrowave, and One Battery.  I know that we can't probably run either of these when dry camping.  But I would like to know about how long the battery would last without a charge? 
From reading over the last several months,  I have really learned alot from the "pros"  ,  so give me your input
Thanks
J. Mac
 
Just the lights and water pump and control electroincs in the motor home, About 8 hours if you conserve lights.

Running the television, perhaps an hour

Running the microwave, Perhaps 2 or 3 minutes if you are lucky

One group 27 marine battery is about 1,000 watts (Very much a rounded figure) so you can do the math

Your microwave is about 1,000 watts, you can use 1/2 of your battery so that's 3 minutes.

Bigger batteries (or smaller ones) read the label, Different types (IE True Deep Discharge instead of Marine) read the label but to be honest... if it's a battery you can lift... The difference won't be much.
 
Jmac said:
Here is my question:
We have a small TT, air, miccrowave, and One Battery.   I know that we can't probably run either of these when dry camping.  But I would like to know about how long the battery would last without a charge? 
Click to expand...

Depends on how long you run your furnace, the blower is the big drain on your battery.  The water pump is probably #2.    I assume that you will be sparing in your use of lights.  Also the fridge may have a drywall setting, which should always be OFF when running on batteries.

The big item is the amp-hour capacity of your battery, of which about only 70% is available to you.

Lot of imponderables here.    If you plan on extensive boondocking plan on installing two batteries and going for solar or a small genset like a 1000 or 2000 watt Honda.
 
I don't do a lot of dry camping, but if I did I'd seriously consider investing in good, high capacity batteries.  I recently purchased a new 5er that came with a single group 27 battery.  I was not pleased with battery performance (they often give you cheap batteries with a trailer).  I purchased two 6 volt golf cart batteries and wired them in series (to get 12 volts).

This option gives you considerably more AMP hours of use. (even more than two 12 volt batteries would provide.)

 
Group 27 Marine battery 80-90 AH

Pair of Golf Cart batteries  220-240 AH

Yes, I'd say that gives you a lot more power Nearly 3 times as much :)

The only thing I'd disagree with is "Even more than two 12 volt batteries would give"

I have a pair of Group 31 Deep Cycle (AGM) they are 130 AH each, or 260 total, Slightly more than your pair of golf cart batteries and slightly less than I need.

However if you are comparing them to a pair of group 27.. Yes, about 50% more than 2 Group 27 Marine class.
 
Thanks for all the input.  I knew I would get good info.
Being new to RVing,  and being a geek,  I like to know what my limits are if possible without finding out the hard way.
One of my F-Ter friends suggested the golf battery approach also.     
Mac
 
John in Detroit,

Yes I was referring to two group  27 batteries.  I didn't really think about all of the other possibilities.
;D
 
However if you are comparing them to a pair of group 27.. Yes, about 50% more than 2 Group 27 Marine class.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a Group 27 rated at less than 85 AH and 100-105 is not unusual for a good brand such as Trojan.  So two Group 27 deep cycles will provide 170-210 AH, depending on make & model. The most you will get with a pair of 6V golf cart batteries is 220 AH, so the golf carts yield is about 25-30% more rather than 50% more.

Trailer battery boxes often do not have room for Group 31's, which are a tad longer than a 27.  The golf carts usually fit unless height is a limitation.
 
RV Roamer said:
I've never seen a Group 27 rated at less than 85 AH and 100-105 is not unusual for a good brand such as Trojan.
Click to expand...

If you are talking about true deep cycle, I suspect you are right,  The group 27's I've seen were Marine batteries and rated 83 ah  I did specify marine in my earlier post.  Not True Deep Cycle.  Perhaps I should have been more clear on that.
 
I'll have to save my pennies.  About the least expensive golf batteries were around $250 each  at several sites that I checked.
There were  several types of golf batteries that were sealed,  no acid.   Is there a preference?
 
Flooded cell golf cart batteries should run less than $100.  The sealed AGM batteries will be $150+.
 
You must be shopping at RV stores at those prices!  Even Advance Discount Auto stores will sell you a Group 31 Optima AGM deep cycle for around $220. Look around - you can do much better than $250.  And as Ned says. you can get flooded cell golf carts for around $100 each at many places. Even the pricier shops will have them for $125.
 
The 6V batteries that I got were WAY more reasonably priced than what you are being quoted.  I went to a local battery store and did some comparison shopping.  Try locating a battery specialist store, you will get better prices and information.  (I also got a battery box that holds the two golf cart batteries.)  Stores like that will have any accessories that you may want also.

Good Luck!
 
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