When to Replce our Casita Batter?

[Jude]

Hi All. When should we consider replacing the battery on our 2018 Casita 17’Spirit?
We keep the battery on a tender when not using.
Also-battery recommendation appreciated. Thanks in advance

[sokhapkin]

Well, when the battery performance will fall below your needs and expectations...

[Larry C Hanson]

Hey Jude,

Well, my Trillium battery lasted about 10 years with careful
maintenance and a battery tender. It was a 130 Amp Trojan Deep Cycle.
I got such good service from it I bought another one (not cheap at $230)
It ran everyting in the Trillium including a 600W inverter for the juicer,
satellite radio, lights, and ham radio equipment. A simple 150W solar panel
and charge controller always kept it up. Might be too big for the little
battery compartment of the Casita? Anyway, I prefer Trojan deep cycle
batteries over Walmart or other cheaper ones.

Uncle Larry

[Mike_L]

I too have gotten 10 years out of a Trojan deep cycle battery however by that time I was only getting about 60% of the original capacity. This wasn't an issue as this was sufficient power for my needs and the solar panels kept the battery topped up.
Before I went solar I charged the batteries at home and used then when camping. The batteries were used harder and cycled down to 50% capacity each time they were used. This reduced their effective (80% original capacity) life san to about 6 years.
I tried the cheaper (Walmart) deep cycle batteries, at half the price of a Trojan. I got three good years with charging at home, after that performance dropped off. I haven't tried the Walmart batteries with the solar so I don't know how long they would last if they were kept topped up.

[DanielAG]

Bought 2 Wallmart batteries in 2014 and use a battery tender. Dry camp for 4 days with our Casita with batteries still above 50%. Hope they last 10 years.

[thrifty bill]

You replace it when it is bad. Pretty much every auto parts store out there will test your battery for free. Depending on care and treatment a battery can last just a season or ten years. My Escape battery lasted seven years.