To cover my dry camp needs
Have a 2008 Extreme megalite. After boondocking this weekend I had a couple issues. The 2 12v batteries in there are a few years old and won’t hold a charge (there ready for replacement). Want to repl...
Forum Discussion
1L243 wrote:
1. Get a Voltminder. Connect it directly to the battery and it will give you a accurate read of what your battery level is at. It has a low battery alarm that you can set.
https://www.amazon.com/VoltMinder-Digital-Volt-Meter-Batteries/dp/B001IQ1XW4
2. If your draining two batteries in two days you have a significant drain. If you use your furnace batteries won't last long.
You will need to run your generator longer. Watch your Voltminder and try and keep it between 12.4 and 12.7 when not charging and batteries rested.
3. Add more batteries. Two group 24 12 volts will have about 170 amp hours, two 6 volts will have about 220 amp hours. If you add two extra batteries to the two you already have you will double the amp hours. You can see you will end up with more amp hours with 6 volts.
4. Solar would be nice but you will need at least 300 watts to do any good. That will cost you around $1000+
Thanks for the detailed response. The batteries are charging, but they are just a couple of old crappy car battery’s. I will be upgrading to good dual 6v setup. I was running the furnace nonstop, so I’m sure that was a big draw. Don’t think the solar panels would be worth the investment since the place we boondocks are heavy with trees and then on shore power when at campgrounds. You talk about batteries being rested, how long are you meaning? When at home and not using the trailer so I leave it plugged in all the time or is this hard on the battery’s? Thanks again.
