Battery Replacement/Upgrade Question

My mistake Poppy, I should've put the words "for example" in my post. Since you're looking for a small inverter, Morningstar's 300W PSW is a good one. I also recommend the Go Power 300W PSW (smkettner and I are very happy with ours).

I also recommend an inverter 300 watts or less. Much easier install.

SOC = State Of Charge

mena661 wrote:
Twin 6V's with a larger inverter (2000W) is fine as long as the batteries are above 75% SOC if running the microwave. With 4 6V's, you can go to 50% SOC with the same load. If you're on full hookups most of the time and your boondock trips are short, I'd go with the cheaper 12V's and not do anything else.

This is where I get confused. You suggest a 2000W inverter but I thought I read that I shouldn't get much more than I need or it will have a negative impact, although I can't remember what that negative impact was, maybe draw the batteries down unnecessarily? Anyway, I do not intend to run anything other than the TV and maybe a laptop when off shore power. When I need the microwave or my wife needs to run her hair dryer we just fire up the generators for a few minutes.

BTW, what does "SOC" mean?

Twin 6V's with a larger inverter (2000W) is fine as long as the batteries are above 75% SOC if running the microwave. With 4 6V's, you can go to 50% SOC with the same load. If you're on full hookups most of the time and your boondock trips are short, I'd go with the cheaper 12V's and not do anything else.

Thanks for the responses.

A couple of answers. I thought 3 1/2 years when we mostly stay connected was short to but I regularly check the fluid level and rarely have to add little if any water.

It is a 2011 trailer bought new so I would assume a "modern convertor".

I only want a small invertor to run the entertainment system occasionally. I was looking at somewhere between 200 and 400 amp Pure Sine Wave invertor. I suspect I could probably even get away with a smaller one but just in case ...

When we do camp without electric hookups it is usually anywhere from just 2 or 3 nights to 5 to 6. I also carry 2 Honda 200 generators but don't like running them longer then needed and never at night.

I think I want to go with 6 volt Trojans but want to make certain I won't have any difficulties recharging them.

The existing converter will charge 4 batteries just fine.
If you want to minimize generator charging time you will need to post the converter model number.
Some take days, others take just a few hours to get 90% charge.

Hi,

No meaningful answer can be made without knowing the make and model of the converter in your RV. If it is a modern three stage converter, you will be fine. If not, then consider upgrading.

If you plan on a large inverter then twin twelve volts wired in a balanced manner may be a better choice.

If it is a small inverter and you do lots of camping with no hook ups then twin six volts may be a better choice.

If you nearly always camp with hookups then expanding capacity is not necessary.

It won't matter to the converter as long as the configuration is 12v. It'll just take longer to charge. The only way I would consider it part of the design process is if it's a low-amperage unit (say, 20amps) which will make recharging with a generator a long process.

By the way, 3.5 years is a relatively early death. What happened? You said you primarily camp with hookups, so does that mean your converter is overcharging and killing them? Are they low on water?