brianandsharons
Anywhere-USA
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Joined: 11/24/2008
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In little over 3 months we will be getting ready to take our B+ Aspect on the road for several years of boondocking lifestyle. I think we have all that we need to survive for the boondocking living.
This fall before we leave, we know we will need to buy new batteries before officially heading out.
The question we have on what kind of batteries to buy (we need two):
Optima or Deep Cycle?
We know that Optima Batteries are maintenance free, jelled and pricey and that Deep Cycle need to be checked for water & maintained regulary and are not pricey.
We have read that you may not get as long of usage with the Optima as you would with Deep Cycle. For instance, are we understanding that they don't take a full charge and hold up as well as a deep cycle when using solar & inverter?
For those that have boondocked for a long period of time; which batteries would you prefer and use?
Also, Thanks to all those that have given insight on boondocking. We have learned a lot when reading the forums and we are very excited about our new upcoming adventure!!! Again many thanks!!
Brian, Sharon & Leah Kay
Brian, Sharon & Leah 
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sharker6
Full time 7/4/08
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Joined: 11/05/2006
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You'll need a generator if your heading out for a couple years boondocking. No question about it. If you need to buy batteries, go with (2) 6 volt deep cycles.
2009 30' Fleetwood Wilderness, 2008 F-250 Super Duty FX4 stump puller
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brianandsharons
Anywhere-USA
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We do have a generator. Our Motorhome came with an Onan and we used it often last winter while staying at North Padre Island. In fact it stopped working and the main board had to be replaced (under warranty-thank goodness).
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arft
fulltiming some place
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get the interstate glass mat bats 2 twelve volts and no water no ck them just get intelic 3 stage charger and if u get honda gen 1000 be sure and get no more than 45 amp charger and be sure to read the forums a lot before speending to much money cause u see some of the people on the forums are producers or sellers of products are just plain stupid or think they are smarter than God
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arft
fulltiming some place
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oh just now looked at who u was we was there a n padre and talked to u at the dump we had the georgie boy motorhome at the time
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jeepbluetj
California
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Joined: 11/02/2008
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Optima batteries are fantastic for alot of things, RV coach batteries not being one of those.
They just don't have enough Amp-Hours to be that useful. Look at other AGM batteries, or flooded deep-cycle batteries.
For RV power, you want to optimize for AH, Price, Size (i.e. what fits your rig). Optimas are optimized for weight and ruggedness. Not qualities you really need. 2 6V batteries come in around $150 for 240 AH. (Costco/Sams batteries) 2 12v G29 batteries also come in around $150 for 250 AH (wally world G29 battteries) AGMs are much more expensive, but have significant benefits also.
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arft
fulltiming some place
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yes and i love my interstat glass mat batteries
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arft
fulltiming some place
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i got the power plus at corpus christi interstate dist for 150 per batt
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smkettner
Southern California
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If you want the advantages of AGM consider Lifeline brand. Optima capacity is rather low for the space it takes up. You need three Optima D31Ts at $240 each to have the capacity of a pair of golf batteries ($75ea) or a pair of group 27 ($75ea).
Good time to upgrade the converter/charger if needed. Post the make model for best answers.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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arft
fulltiming some place
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Ok last post on this for me life is short so is solar power i have been boondocking for 7 years and yes i have solar but when sun shines does help but not the complete answer i use 1/2 gal gas on honda 1000 per day and can run tv and internet 7 hours per day have only 100 watt of solar so dont get much use from it but figure out the solar price verses gasoline and how many years of boondocking and where you will boondock to arrive at the cost of a lot of solar panels
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