Question RV Battery

[GeorgeD]

I have a Wildwood LE27bh camper. Need a battery for it. What should I look for when purchasing one?

 

[Rich W.]

You probably don't have a lot of choices since you’ll likely need to stay with the same dimensions and you most likely don't have a lot of extra room to work with. So unless you want to get into a project and most expense and go with lithium, the decision will come down to AGM or standard lead acid.

Looking at specs, make sure it will fit of course, and then look at the weight. The heavier the battery, the more lead in it. Look at specs from cheap/chineese batteries and you’ll see they are several pounds lighter than the more expensive US made examples.

If you want the batteries to last longer AND you are going to monitor and maintain them well, get the best you can. Trojan was the best in the business for years, but they have some competition these days. Just look at their specs and then shop around.

 

[GeorgeD]

You probably don't have a lot of choices since you’ll likely need to stay with the same dimensions and you most likely don't have a lot of extra room to work with. So unless you want to get into a project and most expense and go with lithium, the decision will come down to AGM or standard lead acid.

Looking at specs, make sure it will fit of course, and then look at he weight. The heavier the battery, the more lead in it. Look at specs from cheap/chineese batteries and you’ll see they are several pounds lighter than the more expensive US made examples.

If you want the batteries to last longer AND you are going to monitor and maintain them well, get the best you can. Trojan was the best in the business for years, but they have some competition these days. Just look at their specs and then shop around.

The fact that it has more lead in it does that make the battery better or just heavier?

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I replaced ours with the largest marine deep cycle battery that would fit in the battery box. Bought it from Auto Zone....... whatever brand they handle. More aH rating is better.

 

[Rich W.]

More lead generally means more longevity. Its a crude method of differentiation but its one that is readily available to the consumer. More lead also generally means more and deeper charging cycles. Obvioulsy there is a lot more to it than that, but weight is the only spec that will allow quick easy comparison.

” To promote long cycle life with deep discharge, deep cycle batteries may be either of the open-flooded type, with an excess of electrolytic solution and thick plates, or of the immobilized electrolytic type. Sealed gelled batteries may be rated as deep cycle batteries, but they will usually withstand fewer cycles and lower discharges than the specially designed flooded plate or AGM batteries. Shallow-cycle batteries typically use thinner plates made from lead calcium alloys and do not typically have a depth of discharge above 25%..”

So thicker plates and higher lead content means more and deeper cycles. If you really want to dig into LA battery application, chemistry and construction, read this: Lead Acid Batteries | PVEducation

OE batteries, whether starting batteries in cars and light trucks, or house batteries in production RVs, are generally the cheapest batteries avaible that will barely get the vehicle through its factory warranty period. Most OE batteries are junk by comparison to what is available in the replacement battery market.