Quote:
Originally Posted by Elkman
It is more of a problem when one of the cells in one of the two batteries starts to fail. Then you will no longer have the 12 volts output needed to operate the digital equipment in the RV. I would only go with 6V batteries if I had space for 4 or more batteries.
Better to put your money into a couple of lithium-phosphate batteries. When you can take them to 10% SOC in effect you get twice as many amp hours of current.
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I think there's a lot more to the LiFePO4 decision than you imply. I have no argument about the advantages, both short term and long term but the up front cost is very high compared to the other options, even though the life-cycle cost is less. There's a pretty substantial knowledge base that should be assimilated if only to make sure one buys the right batteries. It's also a matter of how much one is using their RV and, how dependent that use is on battery power vs. shore power.
Two golf cart batteries can be purchased from Costco or Sam's Club for under $200, two LiFePO4 batteries will cost somewhere around $1,600 - $2,000 +/- depending on the brand. This can be a budget consideration even though the anticipated life cycle cost of the LiFePO4 batteries is less.
I've had golf cart battery systems (two batteries) in two sailboats, two TTs and now a motorhome over the course of maybe 35 years and never had the type of failure you mention. They are very robust batteries. If I had a major concern, two 12V, true deep cycle batteries are an option but they should be installed as two separate banks connected by a battery switch. If they were simply connected in parallel, a failure of one could damage the other.
Alternatively, a small (50AH or smaller) AGM 12V battery could be installed as a backup to the golf cart batteries via a battery switch. Charging could be accomplished via a Trik-L-Start or similar device.
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