In all our time exploring the great outdoors in the USA, New Zealand and more the past 7 years, we’ve realized firsthand how important your RV battery is to the seamlessless of your road trips all across the year. After all, the last thing you want to deal with is a dead battery!
It’s tempting to go with the cheapeast battery you see, but we recommend taking a closer look. You may need a specific RV battery that matches your setup, be it a 6V or 12V option. With so many factors about your camper to consider, picking the best 6V RV battery can seem daunting. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the best 6V RV batteries, based on their durability, charge retention, and general reliability.
What is the Best 6V RV Battery?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 5 Best 6V RV Battery. We compiled this list from RV batteries 6V we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with 6V batteries for RV you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. Vmaxtanks 6V AGM Battery
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 72 pounds (32.66 kg) Size: 11 x 9.5 x 7.3 inches (27.9 x 24.1 x 18.5 cm) Voltage: 6 Volts Battery Type: Deep-Cycle Battery Cell Composition: AGM Capacity: 225Ah Cycles: 25Amps with RC at 500 Mins Warranty: 1 Year |
The VMAXtanks 6V 225Ah V6-225 is a high-performance deep cycle battery suitable for use as a solar battery and RV house battery among other applications. It features heavy-duty grids made of lead-tin alloys to provide a long service life of 8 – 10 years in float applications. It is also an SLA-AGM battery that is leak-proof, maintenance-free and is mountable in any orientation in the RV vehicle.
The V6-225 features a nominal voltage of 6V, which may not be sufficient for boondocking and other purposes. However, you can connect two batteries in series to create a 12V 225Ah battery bank that gives you more load and better reserve capacity for your RV applications like fridges and more. Your RV trip will be more fuss free with this battery.
Pros
- High-performance battery for versatile applications,
- Robust construction for heavy-duty use in any condition,
- Has a long service life in float service applications,
- Tolerates several high and deep cycles without degrading
Cons
- Heavy for portability,
- More expensive than the competition
2. Trojan T-105 6V Deep Cycle Battery
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 62 pounds (28.12 kg) Size: 11.1 x 10.3 x 7.1 inches (28.1 x 26.2 x 18.1 cm) Voltage: 6 Volts Battery Type: Deep-Cycle Battery Cell Composition: Flooded lead-acid Capacity: 225Ah Cycles: 25 Amps with RC at 447 Mins Warranty: 1.5 Years |
Trojan Battery is one of the leading brands manufacturing deep cycle batteries. The Trojan T-105 PLUS is a high-capacity deep cycle battery ideal for off-grid camping with your RV. The 6 volt batteries are compact and come in four units, with each battery weighing 62 pounds. Additionally, the T-105 PLUS features the proprietary T2 Technology to increase the battery’s capacity and ampere-hours, so you get consistent power for 20 hours on a single charge as you cruise along enjoying the sights on your road trip.
The T-105 is a Flooded Lead-acid battery that is more affordable than other types and requires regular service. However, it also delivers better performance than some AGM models on the market and durability.
Pros
- T2 technology gives it better capacity and performance,
- Battery cell design makes it more affordable,
- It has a large capacity for RV camping,
- It comes in a set of four batteries
Cons
- Snap caps may break off quickly,
- Requires regular maintenance
3. Mighty Max Battery 6V Battery
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 12.1 x 8.9 x 6.7 inches (30.6 x 22.7 x 16.9 cm) Voltage: 6 Volts Battery Type: Deep-Cycle Battery Cell Composition: AGM Capacity: 200Ah Cycles: 600 cycles with 50% DoD Warranty: 1 Year |
The Mighty Max 6V 200Ah ML200-6 is a heavy-duty deep cycling battery made for a wide variety of applications. It has a nominal capacity of 200Ah with a 10Hr rating which means it has a high discharge rate and deep discharge recovery. Plus, this battery can tolerate more cycles than a C20 battery, which gives it a longer service life and delivers more energy to power your RV camper in all conditions.
Additionally, the ML200-6 uses heavy-duty lead-calcium-tin alloy grids that enable the battery to have a slow self-discharge rate in storage and improved cyclability due to the tin. It also uses AGM technology with a valve-regulated design that makes it safe to use in enclosed environments and leakproof to mount in any position in your motorhome.
Pros
- Heavy-duty grids provide high power density,
- Has a slow-self discharge rate for longer shelf life,
- High recyclability gives it long service life,
- Maintenance-free with flexible mounting positions
Cons
- Heavy for easy portability,
- Mounting accessories and wire harness not included
4. Optima Batteries 6V RedTop Starting Battery
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 10 x 8.1 x 3.6 inches (25.4 x 20.7 x 9.2 cm) Voltage: 6 Volts Battery Type: Starting Battery Cell Composition: AGM Capacity: 50Ah Cycles: 25 Amps with Rechargeable Capacity (RC) at 100 Mins Warranty: 3 Years |
Optima is one of the top RV battery brands in the market, offering good quality, safe, and durable batteries for a wide range of applications. The Optima 6V RedTop is a high-performance starter battery that features the proprietary Spiral Cell Technology that gives the battery high resistance to vibrations. Plus, the robust polypropylene enclosure prevents leaks and allows you to install it in any position in your motorhome vehicle. It also has lower maintenance and longer shelf life than conventional wet cell batteries. The 6V RedTop also has a reserve capacity of 100 minutes and can recharge to 100% in an hour. However, some motorhome and campervan users have noted that the reserve capacity of the remanufactured batteries sold online reduces quickly over a short time, in contrast to the new ones. On the upside, it is highly resistant to freezing with an 800 CCA while giving you even better performance in hot summer conditions as you drive through desert road and sand. This feature makes it an excellent starter battery for that classic Campervan or RV you’ve kept parked away for some time.
Pros
- Delivers excellent performance in cold and hot conditions,
- Fantastic reserve capacity of 100 mins at 25Amps,
- Heavy duty and leak-proof polypropylene casing,
- Mountable in any position,
- The battery comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- May have a short life if you buy remanufactured,
- May be too small depending on the size of your RV
5. NPP 6V AGM Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 65 pounds (29.48 kg) Size: 10.2 x 9.7 x 6.7 inches (26 x 24.6 x 16.9 cm) Voltage: 6 Volts Battery Type: Deep-Cycle Battery Cell Composition: AGM Capacity: 225Ah Cycles: 750 cycles with 50% DoD Warranty: 1 Year |
NPP Power Company is a specialized manufacturer of lead-acid batteries based in Guangzhou, China. The NPP NP6 AGM deep cycle battery is a 6V battery that comes as a two-pack that you can connect in series to get 12V 225Ah to power your RV. The batteries are considerably cheaper to buy than getting one 12V 225Ah unit from the competition. However, they are also just as heavy despite their compact design.
The NP6 features the AGM battery cell technology that is maintenance-free and comes in a rugged ABS plastic casing that is vibration-resistant and leakproof. It also has a high energy density to power RV refrigerators and other devices while charging with 200W solar panels. On the other hand, the NP6 batteries may have a short service life where some failed in less than a year.
Pros
- High-performance battery for RV camping,
- Good quality and affordably priced for two units,
- Decent self-discharge rate at 3% per month,
- Features a rugged design with non-conductive ABS casing
Cons
- May have a short service life,
- Heavy for easy portability
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with 6V batteries for RV, we found that Vmaxtanks 6V AGM Battery is the best RV battery 6V available today.
Our Premium Option is Trojan T-105 6V Deep Cycle Battery with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Mighty Max Battery 6V Battery as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying RV batteries 6V
Types of RV Batteries
There are 3 main types of RV batteries: Flooded, Gel, and AGM batteries. We’ll cover the different types below:
Flooded Batteries (wet cell) — These are the oldest type of battery that has been available since 1912. It is also the cheapest with a price that ranges from $50 to $80, depending on brand and capacity (measured in amp hour). Although this type of battery is cheaper, it does not come with an advantage over the other types: It has a higher failure rate and has to be checked on daily since they are more likely to spill out acid when recharged.
Gel Batteries — This type of battery became popular in the 80s after they became popular in military vehicles, aircraft, and off-road vehicles. Though the battery is more expensive than flooded batteries at around $100 to $120 per amp hour, it can store a higher charge for longer periods of time hence having a longer lifespan. Gel Batteries also have the advantage that they are less likely to spill out acid when recharged—they even won’t leak when the battery is being used.
AGM (absorbed glass mat) Batteries — This type of battery became popular in 1995 and is commonly known as “maintenance free”. These batteries are more expensive than flooded ones at around $200 to $250 per amp hour; but what it stands out with is its quality which is similar to that of Gel Batteries. It is a sealed unit, does not need any maintenance nor will it spill out acid even if it’s knocked over or recharged.
RV Battery Cell Composition and Materials
Lead-acid batteries are the most common type of deep cycle battery, but there is a difference between flooded and valve-regulated. Flooded lead-acid cells come in two varieties: Serviceable style with removable caps so you can inspect or perform maintenance as needed or the sealed maintenance-free style.
Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are gelled or absorbed glass mat (AGM) types for deep cycling and don’t require adding water like flooded cells. They will however still require attention at some interval depending upon use.
Precautions You Should Note
You may need to take some precautions when it comes to your RV’s battery. The items listed below are a few things you should be aware of when using your RV’s batteries:
– Make sure that your RV is parked in a cool, shady area before running the generator.
– Turn off any lights inside or outside the RV while you’re running the generator. This will help preserve battery life and keep your generator from overheating. – If possible, use a battery charger instead of using generators. Battery chargers are very efficient and don’t put as much strain on your batteries as generators do. – Don’t run generators inside your RV, or close by if it can produce fumes that could harm those with respiratory issues. – Turn off the generator when there is no need for it, to avoid overloading the generator and avoid draining your RV’s batteries. – Never try to jump start or charge non-sealed AGM batteries. You can damage them by doing so and will render them useless. Also be careful about disconnecting a battery while the generator is still running, as arcing could potentially occur.
– Don’t let your battery freeze or get too hot, as damage to the cells will occur either way.
– While batteries are being charged, the voltage of a battery can spike to 2 volts higher than normal while charging. So, it’s important not to charge more than one 12-volt battery with another 12-volt charger. Most models will have this problem fixed, but if you’re using an old model that doesn’t, be aware of the danger. – Don’t mix battery types unless they are the same type. For example, you can’t mix both deep cycle and starting batteries in one bank. – Have your battery tested at least once a year, or more often if used heavily for boondocking in the summer months.
– Keep an eye on your water levels of the batteries. Be sure to add distilled water if needed before charging them. A simple hydrometer will help you check this and is easy to buy online or at most auto parts stores.
Questions and Answers About RV batteries 6V
Are 6V RV batteries better than 12V?
The voltage of an RV battery is not a matter of better or worse. It’s all about the amp hours delivered and how long the power will last to run your appliances.
However, it’s very common for people to have a misconception that the higher voltage (usually 12 volts), would be more powerful and would give them a longer charge when in reality, both 6-volt and 12-volt batteries can give you essentially the same amount of time before needing another recharge. What makes one better than another is simply the size of this type given its corresponding values: as with cars, bigger means stronger (i.e., more miles=more space for energy). So its all up to what features work best for their situation rather than going by the voltage.
You can also wire lower voltage batteries in a series to reach a higher voltage, like 12 volts.
However, you can’t go the other way and wire batteries with different voltages in series as it may damage each battery and destroy the whole set up. The only time you’d see an RV with two or more separate 6-volt batteries is when they’re connected in parallel to create the 12 volts, which is better in terms of weight and cost.
How to keep battery charged on RV?
Turn off appliances when they’re not in use to conserve power – Use solar or generator power, if available – Run the engine close to enough every day as possible for at least one hour. The frequency and length of engine use varies depending on the capacity of your battery bank. If you run your generator more than needed, you won’t be able to charge up enough during a day’s worth of sunlight. Turn off electrical equipment when not in use and don’t leave things plugged into an exterior outlet where possible – Finally, have patience – it may take time before you get accustomed to managing electricity for camper living but with some careful attention these suggestions will help keep your RV battery charged!
3 Comments
Dalton
December 2, 2021 at 10:42 pmThanks for your information. A 6V battery is more expensive than a 12V one, but it promises an extended service life and greater power output when wired in a series.
Lydia Yang
February 10, 2022 at 12:13 amYes indeed Dalton, it’s funny how a 6V can be priced higher, but it really depends on the brand and its quality as well. What brand do you personally use?
Michael Clark
April 26, 2022 at 2:03 pm6 Volt batteries have thicker plates, you can discharge and charge them more frequently than 12 Volt batteries. As a result, 6 Volt batteries have a longer life expectancy.