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aguablanco's avatar
aguablanco
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016

Add a second battery?

Last August I bought a new lead acid battery for the trailer and all has been well so far. We will be doing some boondocking this year and I want to add a second battery for a little better run time on my lights, water pump, run the generator less time, etc. I know one should buy batteries in pairs, however, I hate to buy 2 batteries with one being so new. If the only negative is that the pair may not last as long since they were not paired at purchase are there any other potential problems I might face? While I hate buying 2 new batteries now I would really hate buying 1 now and then 6 months down the line I need 2 more. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
RichH
  • 2 batteries of different voltage (due to aging or whatever) will affect each other only when left connected for long storage.
    Since you are going to charge/discharge the batteries on daily bases - don't worry about it.
    1 year difference is not much anyway. Quite often you buy a pair of identical batteries and find they were manufactured 6 months apart.
  • Just connect another new (or very good) deep cycle battery, and it will work fine w/o any noticeable shorter life

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