6 volt Golf Cart Batteries Help

[Bradley G]

Hi and thanks for taking the time a look at my question. First let me start off by saying i know nothing about batteries or electrical stuff I was talking to the guys at Zamp solar about a solar panel and the topic turned to batteries and how the interstate lead acid batteries suck! I told him i was going to replace them with AGM and he suggested if i am going to change out the batteries to go with 2 each 6v AGM golf cart batteries. it made no sense to me to go from 12 v to 6 v but he explained to me that you get more amp hours via a 2 each 6v batteries. He suggested that Centennial batteries are a real good solid brand.
FYI I have a new 2019 23 FB Signature so you know what we are dealing with.

So my question(s) is/are
Has anyone done this and like the out come
Do i need to change my converter if i go from 12v lead acid to 6v AGM
I assume i would go with 2 each Group 24 6v
Or should i go with 2 each 12v AGM (i guess non golf cart)

The guys at the battery shop suggested a model Centennial CB6 224
https://www.batterysystems.net/brand/centennial_agm/
(but i need to measure my battery box on the AS)

Not sure what other questions to ask so any advice will do. I was going to go with lithium but $900 each is not in the budget this week.

also note that i parked the AS at the RV storage lot with a full 100% battery charge. Nothing was left on other then the LP monitor and the carbon monitor (and battery cut off switch was set to off) then 4 days later i went back to see my new toy and the battery charge was down to about 60%. This is what is leading me to change the crappy Interstate batteries. and i don't have power at the RV storage place.

So any help/suggestions will do!

thank you!!!

Brad

[Bradley G]

and one more question if going with the 2 each 6v to you wire them in parallel like they currently are or the other way... i have no idea what that is called

and i will pay someone to instal i don't want to burn down my AS!

[steverino]

quick answers:
1. converting to 6v golf batteries - yes this is a common upgrade, you can get 10-20% better performance for a given weight of battery pack. And AGMs have a lower internal resistance, resulting in faster charge cycles.
2. No need to change your converter. Most modern converters will provide charge profiles acceptable to both flooded and AGM batteries
3. Either way.

40% loss of charge after 4 days with almost everything disconnected is high. this can point to either another unknown load pulling current, or defective batteries as you suspect.

And - you hook 12 v batteries minus-to-minus and plus-to-plus (in parallel).

For 6v batteries, you "stack" them (in series). Tie the minus of the first battery to the plus of the second, which then results in 12v from the plus of the first battery to the minus of the second.

[pdavitt]

Originally Posted by Bradley G

Hi and thanks for taking the time a look at my question. First let me start off by saying i know nothing about batteries or electrical stuff I was talking to the guys at Zamp solar about a solar panel and the topic turned to batteries and how the interstate lead acid batteries suck! I told him i was going to replace them with AGM and he suggested if i am going to change out the batteries to go with 2 each 6v AGM golf cart batteries. it made no sense to me to go from 12 v to 6 v but he explained to me that you get more amp hours via a 2 each 6v batteries. He suggested that Centennial batteries are a real good solid brand.
FYI I have a new 2019 23 FB Signature so you know what we are dealing with.

So my question(s) is/are
Has anyone done this and like the out come
Do i need to change my converter if i go from 12v lead acid to 6v AGM
I assume i would go with 2 each Group 24 6v
Or should i go with 2 each 12v AGM (i guess non golf cart)

The guys at the battery shop suggested a model Centennial CB6 224
https://www.batterysystems.net/brand/centennial_agm/
(but i need to measure my battery box on the AS)

Not sure what other questions to ask so any advice will do. I was going to go with lithium but $900 each is not in the budget this week.

also note that i parked the AS at the RV storage lot with a full 100% battery charge. Nothing was left on other then the LP monitor and the carbon monitor (and battery cut off switch was set to off) then 4 days later i went back to see my new toy and the battery charge was down to about 60%. This is what is leading me to change the crappy Interstate batteries. and i don't have power at the RV storage place.

So any help/suggestions will do!

thank you!!!

Brad

Best thing I can suggest is to learn all you can about RV Electrical Systems. A good place to start is a book from Victron Energy called "Wiring Unlimited". Link is below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdkngdituf...mited.pdf?dl=1

Pat

[AirMiles]

Here is a picture of my 6V Duracell golf cart batteries installed in my 2017 FC25FB:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...2&d=1521682083

As Severno said, to put 6V golf cart batteries in an Airstream you put all the red wires on the positive side of one battery, all the black wires on the negative side of the other battery, and buy a thick battery cable to connect the unused negative side on one battery to the unused positive side on the other battery. That makes the two 6V batteries into one big 12V battery. Your existing charger/converter will work just fine with this configuration.

In my picture, I also added a blade disconnect switch. This really helps keep your batteries from being ruined in storage. But to put this switch in required me to add 1" square aluminum tubing under the lid to have room for this switch. You can just disconnect the negative cables when in storage to get the same result without modifying your battery box.

I bought Duracell EGC2 batteries from Sam's Club at $125 each. These are really good quality batteries at a low price and they work very well for me. https://www.samsclub.com/sams/durace...prod3590220.ip nicest part of buying these batteries is that they have both a post top and a bolt connection that will work with your existing battery cables. These batteries are also sold at Costco and Batteries Plus. But watch out for Batteries Plus batteries. Their batteries were cheaper, but the battery manufactured date was 1 year earlier! I refused to buy brand new 1 year old batteries at Batteries Plus and therefore got new batteries from Sam's Club.

The best order to connect the batteries would be to put the thick cable between one battery's positive post and the other battery's negative post. Then connect all the red cables to the open post. Then connect all the black cables to the open post. This is the best order for connecting without causing an arc by shorting out your wrench between a positive cable/post and a metal part on the Airstream.

[GMFL]

My blog post

http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...-upgrade-2923/

http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...-install-2924/

[Bradley G]

Thank you for the photo of your set up! Airmiles huge help. and thanks everybody for your help. especially with the help with setting them up in series. I will have a professional help me. Its way above my pay grade!!

[Camr]

Another benefit to the Golf cart 6volt route is that it is much easier to disconnect the batteries for longer term storage. Just disconnect one side of the negative to positive crossover cable. Just one nut to remove.

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by Bradley G

Thank you for the photo of your set up! Airmiles huge help. and thanks everybody for your help. especially with the help with setting them up in series. I will have a professional help me. Its way above my pay grade!!

Going from two 12V batteries to two 6V batteries is a common upgrade. I've done this to two of our trailers as well as for several friends. If we were closer I'd be happy to help you out and do this for you. Maybe another AS owner in the Seattle area can spend a Saturday with you getting this done and saving you some $$ in the process.

I also added a battery cutoff switch similar that I picked up at West Marine. Simple twist of the knob and the batteries are disconnected. Plus, as a marine-grade switch it's waterproof.

[ckerrick]

We have a 2013 25' Intl. Serenity and changed out the 12V Interstates for two Trojan 6V flooded golf cart batteries last summer. The 6V batteries provide many more amp hours than the 12V, so simply don't run down as fast as 12V batteries do. Since we often camp without hookups, this has been a nice improvement in battery life. I think Airstream is installing taller battery boxes now, but we had to modify our battery box to accommodate the taller 6V batteries.

[Bradley G]

Thank you Hoagie! You should just come over from Idaho for a road trip My friend who knows how to do this stuff will give me a hand. I plan to add a blade disconnect. Now i just will need to remember to connect it before we head out on a trip

[Bradley G]

ckerrick i measured my battery box its 15" wide x 14' long x 12 deep. The 6v i am looking at should just fit. I plan to go with the AGM Centennial CB6 224.... i hope.

[gypsydad]

Unfortunately, I agree with several comments about your existing batteries being bad. Happens too often with a new AS and Interstate 12V batteries, either from poor maintenance care from the dealer prior to you taking delivery while sitting on the lot or just a bad battery from Interstate. My last 2 brand new AS's I had this problem, and my good friend with his new 23D last year, same issue. Very frustrating I know. Call Interstate, explain the situation. They likely will want you to bring them in so they can do proper charge and check out the problem. More often then not, they will find a bad cell and offer a replacment for both or credit toward AGM or other different models, including 6V. Be ware, the converter can also be bad also, even though new, but more than likely the batteries were bad..

Wet cell or AGM's are both good batteries. Many will tell you a "wet cell" will outlast an AGM, if taken care of properly. I won't argue and I have had both models. I am currently running Trojan 6V Golf Cart batteries as they have an excellent reputation here on the Forum. Many here also just go to Costco or Sams and get 6V Golf Cart batteries or 12V batteries from them and hit the road...knowing if something were to happen within a year or 2, they can get a replacment. If you get 6V, no majic to hooking up; just hook all your + to the + terminal on one battery, and all your - to the - terminal on the other; then use a connection wire to connect the remaining negative on one battery to the positive on the other. (you have one with your stock battery set up) Not rocket science, but the 6V's are typically taller and heavier, so be aware...you can go into Costco/Sam's and see them on display so you get the idea.

Lithium are the sought after nirvana of batteries especially with solar, according to those here who have made the plunge...just very expensive. Big difference is they can be drained down to about 20% and still maintain full output to that point. Some day, when prices come down, or I need more battery for boondocking type activities, I may switch to these.

[Rltports]

Hoagie, do you have any info on the disconnect switch you used and how to install it on two 6v batteries wired in series. I’m new to the forum and just purchased a 2016 25’ FC. I had the dealer install two new 6v AGMs and have been reading about issues of battery drain over the winter months. Thank you

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by Rltports

Hoagie, do you have any info on the disconnect switch you used and how to install it on two 6v batteries wired in series. I’m new to the forum and just purchased a 2016 25’ FC. I had the dealer install two new 6v AGMs and have been reading about issues of battery drain over the winter months. Thank you

Here is a description and picture of how I installed a blade cut-off switch on my 2017 FC25FB with 6V batteries: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ml#post2079369

I blade switch I used had both the post and stud connection which allowed me to put both negative battery cables on it without modifying the cables. https://www.amazon.com/WirthCo-20148...r=8-1-fkmrnull

I had to extend the top of the battery box with 1" square aluminum tubing To fit this disconnect switch inside with the tall 6V batteries.

[Lumatic]

2 12 v batteries are connected parallel, pos to pos and neg to neg. The other way is called in series.

In the unlikely case one of your 6 v batteries goes bad you only have a 6 volt system. If you have 2 12 volt batteries and one goes bad you still have 12 volts.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Rltports

Hoagie, do you have any info on the disconnect switch you used and how to install it on two 6v batteries wired in series. I’m new to the forum and just purchased a 2016 25’ FC. I had the dealer install two new 6v AGMs and have been reading about issues of battery drain over the winter months. Thank you

Which ever switch you get, the 6V connection is pretty straight forward. There is only one wire connecting the - on one battery to the + on the other. Note my picture with the knife switch. You will have to get another appropriate size wire with terminal for the battery if you decide to get a different type cut off switch then the one I use, but any auto store can help you or Amazon.

[Bgibbs]

Interstate batteries are not “crappy”. The routine maintenance is. I sold Interstate batteries at my repair shop for over 30 years and we had very few problems with them. Any battery will fail prematurely if not maintained properly.

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by Rltports

Hoagie, do you have any info on the disconnect switch you used and how to install it on two 6v batteries wired in series. I’m new to the forum and just purchased a 2016 25’ FC. I had the dealer install two new 6v AGMs and have been reading about issues of battery drain over the winter months. Thank you

I used a battery switch similar to this one

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...gateway&sr=8-9

It is made by Blue Sea Systems and is designed and rated for use in a marine environment. (Boats) I mounted it externally on the side of the battery box. The one I had the switch handle was removable (to prevent someone inadvertently switching the batteries on/off) but I never used that.
What I liked about this configuration was a simple glance at the switch and I cold confirm whether or not I had remembered to switch the batteries off when parking the trailer without having to open the battery box. Also, as the switch was designed for the harsh marine environment, it stood the test of time.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I would avoid the big bade switches if possible. They have a *lot* of metal exposed. That gives you a number of places to "bump into" and create a nice big spark. The enclosed Blue Sea switches are a better bet.

Bob