Are 6-Volt RV Batteries in Series Better Than a Single 12 Volt?
Dave SolbergDescription
We get a lot of members of the RV Repair Club community asking what kind of RV batteries they should use on their rig. They’re often unsure whether they should opt for a single 12-volt battery or a pair of 6-volt RV batteries in series (equaling 12-volts). The answer to which is better is a simple one: it depends. Okay, so there are some nuances to the dilemma.
To help you figure out which is best for you, in this lesson Dave Solberg teaches you the difference between a 12-volt battery and a series of 6-volt batteries. He talks about the pros and cons of each, and explains why there’s a clear winner based on the type of travel you typically do. With Dave’s advice, you’ll have no trouble deciding the battery option that works for your needs and budget!
A question concerning batteries came in from one of our RV repair club members. Is six volt batteries, better than 12 volt batteries? Now both of them have their advantages. The way they work is six volt batteries have to be hooked in series, meaning the negative to the positive. It gives you a 12 volt bank, just like you had before.
The manufacturers that use the 12 volt system, the reason they do it, number one is cost. You can only use one battery in, but the six volt, you have to have two batteries. If you're going to upgrade you have to go two more. You can't go three. So the 12 volt manufacturers look at it and say, originally they don't gas as much.
They were more accessible out in the road if you needed to have them worked on or even replaced. Six volt were a little bit more difficult to have it. Now, in practice, you take two six volt batteries and hook them in series and you get a 12 volt bank. You're typically going to have more battery capacity, more hours off of that unit than you would with one 12 volt. But again, more expense, more weight.
If you're gonna upgrade you have to go two more. So, there are advantages either way. Depending on how much dry camping you really do because, the more battery capacity requirements are mostly for when you're going boondocking, and you're not hooked to electricity. You need that battery to last longer. So look at how you're using it, and what application is best for you.
Is there any advantage to replacing 2 6 V batteries with 2 12V batteries?
Two 6 volt 200 amp-hour batteries in series have exactly the same capacity as two 12v 100 amp-hour batteries in parallel. The real capacity is the sum of the Watt-hours of the batteries in the bank. Thus 6v x 200Ah x 2 batteries is exactly equal to 12v x 100 Ah x 2 batteries and both banks have 2400 Watt-hours of capacity. The banks will also be about the same volume and weigh about the same for the same battery technology. You can’t beat physics or mother nature. Thus
Which is more powerful & lasts longer? (2) six volt batteries in series or (2) 12 volt batteries in parallel? If I go from six volts to 12 volts, do I have to change my converter / inverter to adequately charge the batteries?
You mentioned that you could not use 3 6V batteries. I believe you can using a series parallel configuration. That is have two batteries hooked up in parallel, pos to pos, neg to neg) then hook that combo in series with a third battery.
great
Seems to me that two 12 volt batteries in parallel would have as much capacity as 6 volt batteries in series. The amp hours of the batteries would tell the tale.
So you did not answer the question! Why? Any one can do thst kind of video. Not impressed!