How to Increase Battery Capacity
After spending 10+ years studying RVs prior to buying one I’m amazed at what I still don’t know! Turns out the cure for that is this amazing forum. The latest issue I’m lost about is a LOT more ...
Forum Discussion
OP here again.
Thanks for all the responses. Based on what you guys have said, I plan to get two 6v GC batteries at Costco as well as a perm mount battery monitor. No generator or solar or upgraded converter at this time, but maybe down the road.
Of course, now I've got a couple more questions!
1st, Sam's Club has the Duracell brand made by Deka in PA, rated at 215 Ah. Costco has Interstate, rated at 210 Ah. Same price, Costco a little more convenient. Any opinions on which is better?
2nd, I have room for them, but without a battery box. I have a plan to secure them to the welded angle iron rack on the A-frame where the original battery is. I also plan to wrap each battery with a locked chain which is just long enough to close the padlock but too tight to allow the chain to be slipped off the battery to prevent casual theft. I did this over the battery box on the original, so it seems it would work on these as well. My question is, is it okay to leave the batteries (terminals) exposed to the weather? If not, any ideas for giving the terminals some protection?
3rd, It seems that 14.6V or higher is needed to get the best charge. Does the truck (2012 Ram 5.6L V8) alternator put out more power than the WFCO converter (13.6V, 35A) in the TT? Is this something I can measure - I have a multimeter, not a whiz at using it yet.
If truck is better, when I hook up the trailer to drive for a few hours, is the truck charging the batteries, or is the truck sending juice to the converter which is then sending a weaker charge to the batteries? A previous poster said a modification or a dedicated charging line might be required.
Remember, our plan is to alternate between hookup camping and boondocking over a six month period.
Any other suggestions?
Again, thanks so much!
Thanks for all the responses. Based on what you guys have said, I plan to get two 6v GC batteries at Costco as well as a perm mount battery monitor. No generator or solar or upgraded converter at this time, but maybe down the road.
Of course, now I've got a couple more questions!
1st, Sam's Club has the Duracell brand made by Deka in PA, rated at 215 Ah. Costco has Interstate, rated at 210 Ah. Same price, Costco a little more convenient. Any opinions on which is better?
2nd, I have room for them, but without a battery box. I have a plan to secure them to the welded angle iron rack on the A-frame where the original battery is. I also plan to wrap each battery with a locked chain which is just long enough to close the padlock but too tight to allow the chain to be slipped off the battery to prevent casual theft. I did this over the battery box on the original, so it seems it would work on these as well. My question is, is it okay to leave the batteries (terminals) exposed to the weather? If not, any ideas for giving the terminals some protection?
3rd, It seems that 14.6V or higher is needed to get the best charge. Does the truck (2012 Ram 5.6L V8) alternator put out more power than the WFCO converter (13.6V, 35A) in the TT? Is this something I can measure - I have a multimeter, not a whiz at using it yet.
If truck is better, when I hook up the trailer to drive for a few hours, is the truck charging the batteries, or is the truck sending juice to the converter which is then sending a weaker charge to the batteries? A previous poster said a modification or a dedicated charging line might be required.
Remember, our plan is to alternate between hookup camping and boondocking over a six month period.
Any other suggestions?
Again, thanks so much!
