Adding Battery power

[CajunCamper]

We are starting to do more and more dry camping and would like to add batteries to our pop-up for lighting and such. I have a converter already in my pop-up and would like to attempt this on my own. Has anyone here done this and what advice can you give.

CajunCamper

[mjdfarm]

I have no experience with them but a friend of mine is looking into the solar power sources for his camper.  I dont know exactly who sells them but im sure a quick internet search would provide plenty of info.  They sell cheaper versions of them at harbor frieght tools.....

[chasd60]

On my hyrbid I had room for a second battery and box. I bought two Group 27 deepcycle batteries from Walmart and and pair of adjustable battery boxes. I went to the local NAPA and had a couple of cables made and connected + to + of each battery and - to - of each battery. I then connected the camper + lead to the + terminal of one battery and the camper - lead to the - terminal of the other battery.
 
 
You can do the same with a couple of 6V golf cart batteries from Sam's Club just hook them up differently.
Hook + from one battery to - ofthe other battery. That leaves you with a + and - left over to hook the camper + and - leads. WIth series hookup you only need one extra cable.
 
The only thing to be sure of is that the existing cables will reach your new battery hookup location. If I had to change anything on mine it would have been the camper - lead because it goes under the camper and attaches to the camper frame. At the other end of the camper, another wire leaves the frame to the converter. The frame in essence is the ground lead.
 
I picked up these lights for my hybrid. Current draw for the two bulb units in the camper was 2.8A per fixture and these are .4-.5A as measured by my XANTREX LINK 10 battery system monitor. They weren't too bright when I tried them but flourescents usually aren't too bright at 5F.
 
I did leave them on all day and they appear to be just fine once warmed up a little.