12v single to dual 6v batteries

[tractors1]

My 2014 - 21 came with a group 29 battery which has gone to kaput city. Seems like that size is no longer made, so I'm curious if someone has moved to dual 6V in that big box (which I need to go measure.)

[brroberts]

Not on an Escape, but the forward wheel well for a Bigfoot pickup camper and front of a Forest River travel trailer. Both times I just built new battery boxes for what I wanted and did it.

[Donna D.]

I think CPAHarley made the change himself in his first 19'. But that would have been in about 2013. It's late, perhaps he'll answer up tomorrow if you don't get the information from someone else tonight.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by tractors1

My 2014 - 21 came with a group 29 battery which has gone to kaput city. Seems like that size is no longer made, so I'm curious if someone has moved to dual 6V in that big box (which I need to go measure.)

measure the box and look up the dimensions of the GC2 style batteries , We have two interstate. GC2 lead acid batteries Thant came with our 2017 21C

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by tractors1

My 2014 - 21 came with a group 29 battery which has gone to kaput city. Seems like that size is no longer made, so I'm curious if someone has moved to dual 6V in that big box (which I need to go measure.)

We have a 2013 21 that came to us with a group 27 battery. We took the trailer to Escape in the summer of 2017 just after we got it. They installed solar on the roof and a pair of GC 2 batteries in the large box. They fit. It’s a little headache putting water in the back battery but I do it every spring and fall and they are still going strong. Hope this helps.
Iowa Dave

[Rossue]

Charlie- you convinced me to use the same Group 29 12v battery you got when we ordered our 21, yet after one year I replaced with dual 6V Interstates from Costco. They will fit in your box.

[Dave Rosebaugh]

Just replaced my 6-year old Interstate group 29 with an Interstate group 31. Slightly larger, but fits the box.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Charlie- you convinced me to use the same Group 29 12v battery you got when we ordered our 21, yet after one year I replaced with dual 6V Interstates from Costco. They will fit in your box.

Well, I got 7 years out of my original group 29 from ETI, so can't complain. Which 6Vs from Costco did you get? The GC2 6V cart batteries have horrible reviews with 25 out of 35 total being one star as they last less than 2 years.

[dfandrews]

Charlie, we started with a group 29, but switched to a group 31 at replacement time. They are both deep cell batteries, but the 29 is designed more as a starting or trolling battery, where the 31 has thicker plates and is designed for the type of usage typical for a camping trailer. We're happy with it. We have a 150w solar panel, and switched to a Blue Sky Controller, that does a great job. We got a great deal on the 31 at "Batteries ++".

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Well, I got 7 years out of my original group 29 from ETI, so can't complain. Which 6Vs from Costco did you get? The GC2 6V cart batteries have horrible reviews with 25 out of 35 total being one star as they last less than 2 years.

I’ve got 4 years on the ET supplied interstates so far. Not sure if the Costco ones are the same. There are interstate stores. You could spend some money and get AGMs, the best ones will cost you 700a pair. Trojan also sells flooded. Not sure if the ‘solar’ flooded batteries are worth the extra. One thing, you should always check the manufacture date on a battery and if it’s been sitting a long while move on. Could be why the Costco gc2’s we’re getting bad reviews, too long a shelf life. In the old days battery acid would be added at the time of sale, a much better arrangement for battery life.

[Rossue]

Uth

Originally Posted by tractors1

Well, I got 7 years out of my original group 29 from ETI, so can't complain. Which 6Vs from Costco did you get? The GC2 6V cart batteries have horrible reviews with 25 out of 35 total being one star as they last less than 2 years.

I replaced my 6 year old GC2's while on the road to try and fix my heater. They were probably good for another 2 years. These are probably the best value for house batteries, especially with solar as you need somewhere to store the energy. Dual 6'ers are rated at 225 AH. Interstate does not rate single 12V batteries despite what others may say(call Interstate).

[cpaharley2008]

Sorry about the delay, yes, I switched to dual 6 volts purchased at Sam's Club back in 2012 and converted my single group 29 battery to the dual batteries, no problems nor issues.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

We have a 2013 21 that came to us with a group 27 battery. We took the trailer to Escape in the summer of 2017 just after we got it. They installed solar on the roof and a pair of GC 2 batteries in the large box. They fit. It’s a little headache putting water in the back battery but I do it every spring and fall and they are still going strong. Hope this helps.
Iowa Dave

You can purchase a battery watering system from Amazon which consists of new caps, a series of tubes, and a feeder tube with a squeeze bulb from Amazon for @ $55 or $60. All you have to do one installed is to insert the feeder tube in a container of distilled water, squeeze the bulb until resistance prevents further squeezing, and each cell in the battery/batteries get filled to the proper level. The feeder tube is long enough so if the battery box is in a hard to access location, adding water is quick (less than a minute) and much more convenient.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Uth

I replaced my 6 year old GC2's while on the road to try and fix my heater. They were probably good for another 2 years. These are probably the best value for house batteries, especially with solar as you need somewhere to store the energy. Dual 6'ers are rated at 225 AH. Interstate does not rate single 12V batteries despite what others may say(call Interstate).

I saw your post when you made the swap Ross, was it in the Portland, OR area? IF so, where did you buy the batteries?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Dual 6'ers are rated at 225 AH. Interstate does not rate single 12V batteries despite what others may say(call Interstate).

The Interstate web page for deep-cycle RV batteries has a table which includes various ratings, but no 20-hour capacity rating for any model. The individual pages provide more specifications including amp-hour capacity... for all models including the 12-volt models (which also have starting-type cranking amps specifications not provided for the 6-volt models).

12 Volt

• 24M-EFB: 77 Ah
• 27M-EFB: 90 Ah
• SRM-31: 98 Ah
• SRM-24: 81 Ah
• SRM-27: 88 Ah
• SRM-4D: 195 Ah

6 Volt

• GC2-ECL-UTL: 225 Ah
• GC2-HCL-UTL: 210 Ah

Not all of the amp-hour ratings specify 20 hours, but if they are tested over a shorter period then the 20-hour value would be higher.

Apparently not all of the people who answer the phone at Interstate are competent or well-trained.

[tractors1]

Decided to go with dual Deka 6V GC15s, 20 hr rated at 230 amp hours, for $129 each ( I get the 10% Veterans discount at Loews.) Made in Pennsylvania. Should just fit in the box that came with my Group 29 Interstate.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I saw your post when you made the swap Ross, was it in the Portland, OR area? IF so, where did you buy the batteries?

Donna- got them at Beaverton as Wilsonville was out. Would call your closest one to ask. Easier if you take the old ones with you or you pay a core charge which is refunded if you bring them in later.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Donna- got them at Beaverton as Wilsonville was out. Would call your closest one to ask. Easier if you take the old ones with you or you pay a core charge which is refunded if you bring them in later.

The Interstate Battery store in Beaverton/Hillsboro? I plan on taking the whole trailer and have them swap out the batteries. I don't want to lift them.

[Rossue]

Sorry, got them at Costco.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Sorry, got them at Costco.

Thanks!