Dual batteries?

[jeepmaniowa]

For those of you who have two or more batteries for your popup, do you have them connected in parallel?  Or do you just keep on or more as a back-up.

I know I will be going to two batteries, just internally debating size and type.  I don't have to make a quick decision, since I will not be primitive/dry camping the rest of this season.  (my 1st season as a popup owner).

Thanks for any ideas.

Bob

[wavery]

We have 2- group27 12v deep cycle batteries on the trailer tongue (wired in parallel). I don't particularly want to be messing with moving heavy batteries around while camping.

There are all sorts of options. If you do mainly weekend dry-camping (as we do) ours is a good set-up. As you go for more extended dry-camp-outs, it might be nice to have a separate battery that you can charge elsewhere. If you have a quiet generator (as we do) it really isn't an issue.

You can also add a selector switch to your batteries so you can select one or the other, both or none.

[jeepmaniowa]

We have 2- group27 12v deep cycle batteries on the trailer tongue (wired in parallel). I don't particularly want to be messing with moving heavy batteries around while camping.

There are all sorts of options. If you do mainly weekend dry-camping (as we do) ours is a good set-up. As you go for more extended dry-camp-outs, it might be nice to have a separate battery that you can charge elsewhere. If you have a quiet generator (as we do) it really isn't an issue.

You can also add a selector switch to your batteries so you can select one or the other, both or none.

Wavery,

I like the idea of the switch.  The majority of my camping will be on weekends (2 nights),  The camper came with a Group 24 marine/starting.
Which has worked to far, but that's not in real cool weather.

I've measured and I think I can mount 2 batteries also.  The generator or solar panel will be on next years list.  I have a diesel truck and am afraid of carrying a "gas can" with me.  May I ask, what size/type/brand of generator you have?  Thanks.

Bob

[wavery]

Wavery,

I like the idea of the switch.  The majority of my camping will be on weekends (2 nights),  The camper came with a Group 24 marine/starting.
Which has worked to far, but that's not in real cool weather.

I've measured and I think I can mount 2 batteries also.  The generator or solar panel will be on next years list.  I have a diesel truck and am afraid of carrying a "gas can" with me.  May I ask, what size/type/brand of generator you have?  Thanks.

Bob

I have a Honda EU2000i generator. We love it. It's quiet and supplies all of our needs (including AC). At $1000, you can buy a decent solar system. However, solar is somewhat limited and the generator gives you more options. Camping is all about compromises.... :sombraro:

I am a big proponent to solar. I plan to install solar on our Fallbrook home when the new generation solar is readily available. At that time, I will also cover the top of my trailer with solar cells as well.

[austinado16]

You could also do things that would extend the use of your existing battery, like the LED lights we got to talking about in another thread, and then to take care of your heating, do something like a Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic heater, which uses minimal propane, and no electricity from your battery.

I guess you have to compare costs of options, against the price and "value" of having a second battery.  I think there's an issue with adding a new battery wired in with your old battery.  They'll seek to level each other out, charge wise.

I just bought the Super Brite LED 9LED lights to replace my overhead 1156 bulbs and that was $100 for 4.....to replace my 4 1156's.

I scored a used Wave 6 for $40, so now I probably don't need to pursue solar, a second battery, or even a bigger battery.

Fun to play around with all the mods and all the potentials though!

[jeepmaniowa]

You could also do things that would extend the use of your existing battery, like the LED lights we got to talking about in another thread, and then to take care of your heating, do something like a Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic heater, which uses minimal propane, and no electricity from your battery.

I guess you have to compare costs of options, against the price and "value" of having a second battery.  I think there's an issue with adding a new battery wired in with your old battery.  They'll seek to level each other out, charge wise.

I just bought the Super Brite LED 9LED lights to replace my overhead 1156 bulbs and that was $100 for 4.....to replace my 4 1156's.

I scored a used Wave 6 for $40, so now I probably don't need to pursue solar, a second battery, or even a bigger battery.

Fun to play around with all the mods and all the potentials though!

I've replaced the four overhead 1141/1156 bulbs with the LED's.  So that would help.  I have a built-in furnace, so I figured I paid for it, might at well use it.  However, here in Iowa during normal camping season April - Oct, it will only be used for a few hours during a day.  Some days, it will not be used.  I just want to be prepared for the opportunity when it arises.  Some primitive sites have a better view than the "electrified" sites, so I want to keep my options open.  Granted, I came from tent camping, so just sleeping off the ground is a big improvement - and being able to take a hot shower in your own camper.  Life is good!! However, as the saying goes "There's room for improvement".  

Later,

Bob

[rccs]

I have two group 27 batteries in parallel also and we have gone 3 and even 4 nights with that set up depending how much we use the furnace. I usually only run the furnace at night while we sleep and then not at to high a thermostat setting, just enough to be comfortable. So far I have not had a problem with running out of battery power and we use the lights and water pump from the batteries also.

[cjpoppin]

When we had our pup we only had one battery and it would last us a week if we used it wisely. Now with that being said we had a pretty basic pop up.  We now have two batteries and a gen.  So we're good to go......

[TheViking]

Two 6V batteries wired in a series is the only way to go.

 
OK

6v batteries have More Amps per hour than the basic 12v batteries that the dealer supplies- so ya connect the 2- 6 volts to get 12 volts.

Example numbers only:

12v = 10 amp hours
12v= 10 amp hours

Connected together in parallel they equal 12v and 20 amp hours

6v= 20 amp hours
6v= 20 amp hours

Connected together in series = 12v and 40 amp hours

So 40 is Mo' better than 20- Simple as that.

You can run on battery power longer.

Connecting them correctly is IMPORTANT- this will be different than how your 12volt batteries are connected.

[Tim5055]

Two 6V batteries wired in a series is the only way to go.

I agree

Changing a Single 12v Battery to Twin 6v Golf Cart Batteries

[HaveBlue]

Two 6V batteries wired in a series is the only way to go.

 
OK

6v batteries have More Amps per hour than the basic 12v batteries that the dealer supplies- so ya connect the 2- 6 volts to get 12 volts.

Example numbers only:

12v = 10 amp hours
12v= 10 amp hours

Connected together in parallel they equal 12v and 20 amp hours

6v= 20 amp hours
6v= 20 amp hours

Connected together in series = 12v and 40 amp hours

So 40 is Mo' better than 20- Simple as that.

You can run on battery power longer.

Connecting them correctly is IMPORTANT- this will be different than how your 12volt batteries are connected.

Poor math skills I'd say. Two 6V 20ah batteries wired in series equals 12V and 20ah. Two 6V 20ah batteries wired in parallel equals 6V and 40ah.

Two proper deep cycle 12V 100ah batteries are the same as two deep cycle 6V 200ah batteries.