It's making my brain fry :)

All the RV folks and LQ horse trailer folks are talking about "house battery bank" and the Golf Cart batteries being best, etc.

But that said, I only have a dressing room and only want to be able to run the water pump and interior lights about twice a month :) I want the battery to be charged whilst traveling/hooked to truck. And then be able to still run the water pump for VERY short periods, same with the lights inside dressing room.

That said, I don't think I NEED the two 6v golf cart batteries. I don't camp for more than 2 nights, typically - and those camping trips are only a few times a year. The rest of the time, I just use the trailer for showing, clinics and events......

So....experts - am I okay with just putting in ONE 12v DEEP CYCLE battery? I'd prefer sealed/AGM....I am no good with maintaining batteries. CAN I JUST GET THIS ONE?http://www.thesolarbiz.com/Trojan-U1-AGM-12V-Battery-33AH#.UbSmlPmccVc

thoughts? It seems to not weigh that much? But it's a Trojan, and seems to be more of a deep cycle battery than many of the "marine" ones that are often used in my situation. I don't want to screw up and buy the wrong one, but honestly, in my last trailer I think they just popped in a "Marine Battery", which is really a hybrid starting/deep cycle.....truly not even deep cycle. It was only about $75.

I think getting the 2 golf cart batteries would have been overkill, and honestly the heavier the weight is on the mounting brackets we have to install, the more chance of them failing someday.

Now - given that I am just going to do the SINGLE 12v "marine/deep cycle" - and it will be AGM/SEALED.....do I still need to vent it? Even though it's a sealed battery? IOW, seems I may be able to put it inside the trailer dressing room (and not drill through my wall to "vent it with a tube". Hmmmmmmm

My question about the battery being AGM/Sealed was more around - do I even HAVE to put it outside? I think that is best, but thought I'd ask, since I could just stick it on the floor in the dressing room near the corner/wall.....

We have a single wet cell marine battery that powers our smaller weekend LQ. It is supplemented by a solar panel and easily lights and powers all our equipment for a weekend at a time. During the off season, it is isolated and powered by a battery maintenance charger, which has now given it four years of trouble free life.

An internally mounted battery should be enclosed within a box, which is vented to the outside. When the battery is being charged, hydrogen gas can escape and be dangerous in a closed environment. You can easily install one like these

http://www.rvpartscountry.com/RV-Batteries-Fans-Accessories_c_317-4-1.html

Confirmed that I can get the single 12v deep cycle battery. However it turns out that the one I linked to might not be the right type. Looks like it's a different "group" or "size" category.

I think I should just get a Group 27 marine/deep cycle. My only issue now is how to choose one that is as close to a deep cycle as possible. I know technically Marine batteries - though they SAY they are deep cycle - are not. I know they have cranking amps and work as starting batteries too.

And I know ideally, I need JUST a deep cycle. It's hard for me to "pick which one" to buy....

If you go to an equipped marina and ask for a marine battery, you will be given two choices; a starting or deep cycle battery. The starting battery will be similar to an automotive type,  but built more robustly because of the abuse these batteries typically encounter. They are not made to be often completely discharged or endure deep cycle rates for lengthy time periods. Their plates and internal structures are similar to automotive types, and if there is little chance of physical damage, can be interchanged with them.

A deep cycle battery has a much heavier internal structure, that will not warp under the heat produced with high or prolonged discharges. This is the type of battery that works well with campers and LQs. Many of the "Marine" batteries sold at automotive suppliers are sold as being deep cycling types. When compared to marine specific types, they may be a little lacking in specs, but their lower pricing can justify the differences.

If you have the physical space for a larger battery, purchase the largest one with the highest CCAs that are available. Also check the warranty to see how many years outright exchange are available before a prorated warranty takes over. Find a dealer that sells many batteries and knows how well his products behave in the field. The auto stores are price competitive with the auto sections of Sams, Costco, Wal Mart etc. It pays to shop around and compare the specifications. Some brands typically stand out for reliability, while others don't. The internet and Consumer's Report have their favourites. If the battery's charging system and winter storage are not up to snuff, you may find the battery will fail after only a couple of years, regardless of brand.

A good brand name wet cell "marine" battery, sourced from many suppliers, will work well for your LQ. If you are only involved in long term primitive camping, then you might consider golf cart batteries, generators and solar panels. For a week or weekend usage, the more standard batteries suffice very well.

I've heard that "marine/deep cycle" are really hybrid - starting batteries plus deep cycle. I didn't know of any Deep Cycle batteries besides the Golf Cart 6 v (run in a series with two of them)

I guess I just wanted the best "deep cycle" 12v battery, without it having to be the golf cart battery :) I can get a big one - maybe a group 31 instead of group 27?

head starting to spin again........... :)

Again - I'd only use for camping two nights at a time, and only for the little interior dressing room lights (which are hardly used!) and for running the water pump (which is also used sparingly - only to rinse a horse off after riding if we have no other hose/bathing/wash rack)

I use a propane cooking top and cooler with ice for food. Pretty primitive and used to rough camping.

Here are some true "marine" deep cycle, wet cell batteries, available in several sizes and costs:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=7786&familyName=Sportsman+Marine+Deep+Cycle+Wet+Acid+Batteries