Converter/Charger and Coach Battery

[Horst]

Well it's time to replace my converter/charger and my 12 volt deep cycle battery.
I have a 1975 Clipper, Rear Kitchen with a Dodge 360 - everything stock, (with the exception of  Edelbrock carb, intake manifold and air cleaner.) No generator.

Anyone have any recommendations as to what converter/inverter to buy?

What battery to buy?

And where to buy them? I live in Santa Cruz, CA.
Thanks much.
Horst #2961

[Shayne]

I picked up a new battery at Costco, right there in Santa Cruz.  I just got the bigest deep cycle they had.  It just fit inside the compartment.

We went dry camping in Big Sur for 3 days.  Ran the lights, the water pump(showers all three days) and everything else. We were conservative, but had a generator, so we sure didn't worry about runing out of power. Just for kicks, as I was packing up, I wanted to see if it had enough juice left to turn over the generator.  It did it without any problems.  I think it was an 850AH battery.

[bigray]

Horst,

It's time to change my coach battery. It doesn't seem to be holding a charge and it's 5 years old.

What battery did you go with and how is it performing for you?

Thanks!

[Andy Illes]

Hi guys.... if you have the room for 'em... DEFINITELY go with a pair of golf cart batteries (they're 6 volt).  I don't have a generator, so I had the space.  I got mine ($55 each) cuz about the time I got my Clip last year, I noticed that the Home Depot I use here had an electric pallete lift, and I asked about it.  They use 4, that thing runs all day, every day, and they only usually have to charge them about 2-3x a week!!!  They're nearly twice the capacity of any other deep-cycle battery!!  I was on batteries quite a bit during the trip out to Colorado last winter (furnace and puter, mainly) and never had 'em go down.  Just remember that whatever battery (batteries) you wind up with, use a charger if they get really low or go dead.  The inverter and alternator are only meant to maintain a charge... not fill dead batteries, and it's a HUGE load.

Can't help ya on the inverter, mine still works.  However, check out www.HarborFreight.com and www.TigerDirect.com they both have really great prices, and decent stuff.  Post what you wind up with, and how it worked, ok?  Never know when I'll be needing one.

Good luck, Andy.

[bigray]

Andy,

I have a generator so I need a dual purpose battery. I'd like to go with the 2 golf cart as I have read quite a bit on them.

Given that I have genny and half of my camping is at state parks, I don't think I need the extra power just yet. That being said, I wanted to make sure that I got a proven 12 v battery.

[Andy Illes]

Ray... deep cycles (including golf cart batteries) are just fine "dual purpose" ones... not so the other way around with engine batteries.  The main problem is the space for a pair of golf cart ones.  Take a look at Al Nelson's post in the "deep cycle batteries" thread, and his experience with them on his boat.   Remember when I was having my engine battery problems that I posted after I first got this Clip?  I got some long jumper cables and used the coach golf cart jobbies to start until I accidentally fixed that problem somehow.  The thing about them is that they just last and last.... when you need them, they're there.  I too only camp at campgrounds, but last winter, they sure came in handy to keep the furnace, lights, water pump, etc going on the road to/from Colorado... as well as being able to use my puter when I stopped without a plug-in.  I connected my charger every night on the road, but didn't really need to, they would have been fine for the whole trip.  It's different with a genny, I know... but still.  Ya never know.  The other thing I like about the golf ones is they're made with extra-heavy brqcing for the plates to take a lotta rough shaking around.

As for a single 12v one, Shayne and someone else already posted.

Best regards, Andy

Andy

[bigray]

Thanks Andy.

I looked at the Trojan brand this morning and it didn't even show any specs for cranking on the T-105. I like the capacity of the deep cycles but I don't want any problems when I try to crank my genny. Usning it for unintended purpose might shorten the life.

Using the golf cart batteries to crank the engine is akind to pulling a 30 ft travel trailer with a chevy blazer. It might do it but it's sure not made to do so.

I know that the generator doesn't require the amps that the engine does; however I'm going to err on the side of caution. Besided I can afford $60 on a new 12 v but $150 is a big pill to swallow right now. Besides I'd have to do some fab work to make a space for the 2 6v batteries.