Deep Cycle RV Batteries

The deep cycle batteries in your recreational vehicle are the workhorses of your solar system. This is why it is important to have good quality deep cycle batteries matched to your 12 volt DC and 110 volt AC requirements. RV Solar Connection recommends tried and true Interstate Batteries for your RV. Jim and I both have Interstate batteries in our 5th wheels and our trucks.

The scoop on Deep Cycle Batteries

Deep Cycle batteries are designed differently than cranking batteries. Cranking batteries are designed to release short bursts of electricity for a short period of time. They are rated in CCA or cold cranking amps. Therefore they are not suitable for storing the solar energy that your solar system will produce.

On the other hand, Deep Cycle batteries are designed to be drawn down and recharged over and over again. Good deep cycle batteries will be rated in Ah or Amp Hours. The higher the Ah rating of the battery the longer the batteries staying power.

"Staying Power"... this is why it is important for us to understand your electrical power requirements so that we may size your battery bank according to your needs.

If you only use your batteries to run the 12 volt lights, 12 volt stereo system, heater, water pump, and the constant draw from the refrigerator and the CO alarm, a pair of group 27 or group 29 deep cycle batteries is probably more than sufficient to meet your needs.

If your electrical demands require the use of an inverter to power 110 volt AC appliances, such as microwaves, or home theater systems you'll need a much larger battery bank. For this kind of an electrical demand 450 ah (Amp hours) of battery is sufficient.

Here's the system I have installed in my 5th wheel

I like to fish a lot and use my 5th wheel 3 days a week every weekend from mid May to the first weekend in October.

On the roof I have 158 watts of solar power comprised of one 110 watt Mitsubishi panel and one 12 year old 48 watt Siemens panel which are both wired to my 12 year old Specialty Concepts charge controller. From there we go to a pair of industrial Interstate U1850HD Workhorse 12 volt deep cycle batteries rated at 215 Ah each. Both batteries combined give me a whopping 430 Ah of battery power.

The battery pair is wired via a short 3 foot run of #3/0 cable to my Vector MAXX 3000 watt modified sine wave inverter. In theory (I've never tried this) with this system I can run my microwave for about 2 hours solid before I hit 45% - 50% of reserve capacity in my batteries.

To see pictures of the above set up visit the Battery Facts page.

In reality I only run the micro for about 10 minutes in the morning to make coffee and toast, 15 minutes at night, and on a bad weather day I might run my laptop for a few hours. I have never had a battery power issue, even when it gets cold in October.

As you can see it is imperative to have your battery bank sized your your electrical demand. The batteries must be the same group size and the same age for the system to work properly.

If you need new batteries to complement your solar system we are more than happy to sit down with you to figure out what your specific battery needs are and what will safely fit in your battery compartment.

For a quote on a complete Solar, Battery and Inverter system visit Contact Us and get in touch with Randy or Jim.
Download our printable brochure or download our price list for yourself or a friend.

 

Batteries are the Workhorses of your Solar System

 

RV Solar Connection recommends Interstate Batteries for your Recreational Vehicle's deep cycle battery requirements.

Interstate Batteries feature:

• Advanced Chemical Technology delivers 16% more life cycles

• Performs better in high heat

• Vibration Resistance
  New technology resists damage caused by hard jolts of rough roads.

• Four Post Design
  Provides easier installation and improves power flow

• The number one selling RV/Marine Battery in the US

Visit our battery facts page to read more about deep cycle batteries and view pictures of a solar system installation.

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