Instead of two 6 volt golf cart batteries...

mandt
mandt Member Posts: 158
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Using two 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series sounds great at first... especially offering 235 amp hours of power. 

But there are issues...

First we do not have the Outback edition and the plastic tub is too small to hold 2 batteries without extensive modifications. I cut out a cardboard template of 2 batteries and it is not even close.

Second is the price of 2 batteries and the weight of 2 batteries... a lot in both cases.

We do not need a ton of power but it would be nice if we had more than the 82 amp hour stock battery.

So I am thinking of using a 12 volt agm with 155 amp hours of power. It feels like a good compromise to me. Any thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DDYM1UC/?coliid=I2AJFMNQRYB0JC&colid=SNS4MFMP6VLR&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Mickey & Terri
2016 Max S
Kalamazoo Michigan

Comments

  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,420
    You should be more than fine.  I used a group 27 100A lead acid battery for over two years without noticing any deficiencies in power.  It even powered a microwave while boondocking.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    We use a Lifeline 150 amp AGM.  The tub sits forward a bit and the factory welded a different mount and made us an aluminum box.  Fine for us.  Charges quickly, too.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • DurangoTaB
    DurangoTaB Member Posts: 754
    @SAM...which Lifeline?  The group 24 looks like only 80Ah...
    http://lifelinebatteries.com/products/marine-batteries/gpl-24t/

    J.D. & Sue

    Durango, CO    2014/15 S M@xx :  "Dory's HabiT@B"  Keep on swimming...

  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,424
    AGM would be maintenance free, too. If I had to switch today, it would be to the large and heavy 235 AH AGM that comes in the 400.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,687
    I guess it depends on what your power needs are and how much you are willing to spend. Like Tabaz, I'm going into into my third season with a group 27 105ah lead acid battery that I purchased locally for <$100.

    I have the slightly smaller standard tub, so I did have to modify it a bit to accept the larger group 27 battery box.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    @DurangoTaB, GPL-30HT
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • mandt
    mandt Member Posts: 158
    Sam your battery is much more expensive than the one I am considering. I wonder if there is a difference between the two...

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DDYM1UC/?coliid=I2AJFMNQRYB0JC&colid=SNS4MFMP6VLR&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
    Mickey & Terri
    2016 Max S
    Kalamazoo Michigan
  • rcuomo
    rcuomo Member Posts: 321
    Jenn, are they using an Interstate 235AH battery in the 400?
    ‘18 Tab 320S- mfg’d 4/17, acquired 9/17
    Spare & bike rack on tongue, Renogy 100w suitcase connection, cargo & door nets, sway bar, wired rear camera, Norcold aux fan, front window protection, frame mounted sewer & water hose storage, Krieger 1500w inverter w/100Ah LIFePO4.
    ‘24 Ford F150 XLT PowerBoost- 11,000# capacity
    ‘20 Honda Pilot Elite- 5000# tow cap, 500# tongue cap
    Huntington LI
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    @mandt,
    I don’t know of the difference.  But if the reviews for the VMax in an RV were good, it is certainly worth a try!
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,424
    edited April 2018
    rcuomo said:
    Jenn, are they using an Interstate 235AH battery in the 400?


     I don't think it was an Interstate but I do not recall the brand. Maybe @skwhee can comment.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • skwhee
    skwhee Member Posts: 246
    Our 400 came equipped with a Discover EV4DA-A
    http://discoverbattery.com/product-search/view/EV4DA-A
    Steve and Karen Cullowhee, North Carolina 2008 Ford F150 --2018 T@B 400
  • DurangoTaB
    DurangoTaB Member Posts: 754
    Whew...138lbs!

    J.D. & Sue

    Durango, CO    2014/15 S M@xx :  "Dory's HabiT@B"  Keep on swimming...

  • skwhee
    skwhee Member Posts: 246
    Here's a great discussion on the differences between True Deep Cycle batteries (such as golf cart batteries) and Dual Purpose batteries (such as marine deep cycle) including advantages and alternatives to 2 6V batteries.
    http://blog.solardealz.com/2016/12/battery-basics-true-deep-cycle-vs.html

    Steve and Karen Cullowhee, North Carolina 2008 Ford F150 --2018 T@B 400
  • jcfaber1
    jcfaber1 Member Posts: 318
    I like my AGM 2 golf cart batteries.  It's a lot easier to lift each 6V battery than one that weighs as much as I do.  I agree that $500 is a lot of money, but they work well and like having the 225 AHs.  At some point I will consider the lithium batteries but prefer to see how they hold up over time and as the cost decreases.  Now you have my thinking.
    John

    2007 T@B

    Rockford, IL

  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,424
    jcfaber1 said:
    I like my AGM 2 golf cart batteries.  It's a lot easier to lift each 6V battery than one that weighs as much as I do.  I agree that $500 is a lot of money, but they work well and like having the 225 AHs.  At some point I will consider the lithium batteries but prefer to see how they hold up over time and as the cost decreases.  Now you have my thinking.
    John
    Valid point and hopefully by the time I need to make a battery switch lithium will be affordable and more widely available.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • rcuomo
    rcuomo Member Posts: 321
    I think many are confused regarding the T@B 320 batteries.  If they are factory installed Interstate HD24-DP batteries they are not 100AH batteries but in fact 42AH dual purpose wet cell batteries.  They are rated at 100 reserve capacity not AH and the conversion factor is 41.67.  A possible alternative is the Interstate 34M- AGM rated at 62AH or if you can make it fit in the tub, the 31M-AGM rated at 100AH.
    ‘18 Tab 320S- mfg’d 4/17, acquired 9/17
    Spare & bike rack on tongue, Renogy 100w suitcase connection, cargo & door nets, sway bar, wired rear camera, Norcold aux fan, front window protection, frame mounted sewer & water hose storage, Krieger 1500w inverter w/100Ah LIFePO4.
    ‘24 Ford F150 XLT PowerBoost- 11,000# capacity
    ‘20 Honda Pilot Elite- 5000# tow cap, 500# tongue cap
    Huntington LI
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    The batteries are supplied by the dealer.  If you are custom ordering a TaB and want a different size battery, make that part of the purchase agreement and request the factory to weld the appropriate size frame.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio

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