which of these two batteries has more amp hours?

[ShaneSD]

I'm replacing the dual battery system on my 2008 Fleetwood. Heading camping this weekend and want to make sure my heaters will work at nighttime given temps in the 30's.

I can't find comparable numbers between these two models. I think the price is about the same. Any help is appreicated. I guess I just want the most Amp hours.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...ery-Group-Size-24DC-12-Volt-690-MCA/180350522

https://www.costco.com/interstate-2...fSNl1jC00Z7RThbDGH5RUj0BHuxyh/haMrpDwqnkJ7pw=

 

[decypher]

First question—

Are you sure your system is running 24V? I have a Fleetwood and the whole system is 12V which is more standard. Both batteries you linked at 24V and if your system is 12V you might get heat from the sparks but I don’t think that’s what you are going for.

Worth checking.

 

[ShaneSD]

those are both 12V batteries.

if you are reading the "24DC" as 24V that refers to the physical size of the battery, not the voltage.

 

[decypher]

You are correct. I read it at a glance and didn’t give it much thought. Sorry about that

The Costco seems to indicate 140 reserve capacity. I believe the calculations are below to convert to AH.
(140x60x25)/3600= 58Ah

The Walmart battery is booked at 101AH.

Reviews also look pretty poor for the Costco battery. If you have the time, I’d recommend looking at a replacement LIFEPO4 battery if your charging system can support it or you can augment the power plant. It will serve you better long-term.

Just a thought. Apologies again about the misinformation.

 

[jmkay1]

Are you planning on using two group 24 batteries or trying to replace with just a single battery? Personally if your doing a lot of off grid camping than you will want something more than a single group 24. I personally went with a single group 29 myself as that gives me more amp hours and still fit on my tongue. A single group 24 battery although can work you risk running out of battery power.

 

[TSQ]

All other things being equal, when looking at lead acid batteries the heavier one will typically have greater deep cycle capacity.

 

[Patrick w]

Ive had hit and miss luck with them. They tended to die within the year. However Costco has a non pro rated exchange. Within a year just bring it back and they give you another.

I've had significantly better luck with the Walmart one. Luck of the draw really.

If you don't camp much below freezing, the lifepo,4 will be better for weight, avaliable power, and in theory longevity.

 

[Patrick w]

Reminder for deep cycle, (and lead acid) . It's discharge rate is 25 percent per hour. If your depth of discharge is deep Everytime you cut down the longevity. Its peak power delivery (you'll see the cca rating sometimes) shows how much it can dump when needed, i.e. that 2000w Inverter for a microwave. That's probably why you have two batteries for the peak draw.

 

[Raycfe]

If you are going to upgrade your battery system use a true deep cycle battery ..... 2 6volts in series or 2 12volts parallel. Also consider that a larger group battery really does cost that much more. Group(s) 27, 29, 31.
I use 2 6 volt golf cart batteries and they seem to perform the best.

 

[Patrick w]

Lots of weight. Lots.. easily 150 lbs.
I guess it really depends on your energy needs.

 

[ShaneSD]

Thanks Guys.

Just some weekend camping at non RV sites where the weather is cooling down and we'll rely on the heater at nights.

Today I picked up two of the group 24 Everstarts. they're 101 AH each, so figuring 50% capacity use, that'll give me 100AH useable. I also stopped by harbor freight and picked up one of the 100W solar panel kits. That should help give some replenishment during the daytime.

I recently adjusted the front tongue to be able to fit a second propane tank, and then I moved the two group 24 batteries forward. That's all I have room for. I didn't want to invest in the more expensive batteries at this time. One of my old batteries was completely dead, and the other seemed to be going out. I am taking the family camping where nights will get to 30's (F) and I wanted to have the odds on my side for the heater working. Last year the battery wouldn't keep the heater fan going a whole night and that did not make for happy campers.

I should have time to put it all together on Thursday. I also picked up a 20A resettable fuse and I have a battery 1/2/1+2/off switch too that I'm installing.

 

[theseus]

The Walmart group 29 deep cycle battery is only $15 more. Just saying…

 

[Patrick w]

If you have space in the box... I'd get the 29, as recommended. Have you actually figured out howuch your heater fan actually draws??
Also as fall is here, depending on where you are, your output will also start to decline. Don't expect to put significant power back in.
Most 100w panels will produce around that, but then your losses from the charge controller and the absorbing time for the watts produced... Is say 300-400w of input is what you might see actually added back in.
At some point it's actually more practical to get a small generator. (think 1000w generator) they can power a 10a charger just fine.(though that varies from model to model charger. Read the fine print!)

 

[MNTCamper]

A group 24 battery doesn't have 101 AH. They simply aren't that big. But, if they work for you, all good.

 

[Westcoast]

Thanks Guys.

Just some weekend camping at non RV sites where the weather is cooling down and we'll rely on the heater at nights.

Today I picked up two of the group 24 Everstarts. they're 101 AH each, so figuring 50% capacity use, that'll give me 100AH useable. I also stopped by harbor freight and picked up one of the 100W solar panel kits. That should help give some replenishment during the daytime.

I recently adjusted the front tongue to be able to fit a second propane tank, and then I moved the two group 24 batteries forward. That's all I have room for. I didn't want to invest in the more expensive batteries at this time. One of my old batteries was completely dead, and the other seemed to be going out. I am taking the family camping where nights will get to 30's (F) and I wanted to have the odds on my side for the heater working. Last year the battery wouldn't keep the heater fan going a whole night and that did not make for happy campers.

I should have time to put it all together on Thursday. I also picked up a 20A resettable fuse and I have a battery 1/2/1+2/off switch too that I'm installing.

 

[Westcoast]

Do yourself a favor and get a mrbuddy backup heater.

 

[Patrick w]

Do yourself a favor and get a mrbuddy backup heater.

And a CO2 alarm. Though honestly, my sportsmen 1kw generator is just ever so slightly bigger than my big buddy. I don't have space for both personally

 

[davido]

I use two Group 24 batteries because that's the most I can fit on the tongue. Two Group 27 would be better, but just won't fit.

Because the front of my trailer is curved, I can't fit "taller" batteries, so I'm pretty sure dual six-volt wouldn't fit, unfortunately. If you can fit dual six-volt, wired in series for 12v total, you will achieve excellent capacity and durability.

 

[ShaneSD]

Do yourself a favor and get a mrbuddy backup heater.

I do have the Mr. Buddy from the tent camping days pre PUP

 

[ShaneSD]

I use two Group 24 batteries because that's the most I can fit on the tongue. Two Group 27 would be better, but just won't fit.

Because the front of my trailer is curved, I can't fit "taller" batteries, so I'm pretty sure dual six-volt wouldn't fit, unfortunately. If you can fit dual six-volt, wired in series for 12v total, you will achieve excellent capacity and durability.

I'd be interested in seeing the math on this comparison in Amp hours.

My arguement for the two 24's in parallel is that with my 1/2/1+2/off switch, I can run one battery dead, but it won't touch the other. that's a good thing. If I were to have both on and run them down, then I'd have nothing. so with a series system, I wouldn't have that flexibility of discrete energy. It'd all be common and when it's done it's done. So that's why I did 2 24's.