I'm thinking of modifying my Forest River Work and Play 30WRS toy hauling trailer to use for dry camping in the National Forest.The trailer has big fresh, gray and black tank capacities, 2 @ 30 lb LP gas bottles and a single battery on the tongue. I was thinking of purchasing four batteries and cabling them up for a lot more battery capacity. There's a generator rack on the tongue, but I was thinking that putting four batteries along with the two 30 lb. LP gas bottles is a lot of weight on the tongue.Here's the questions, most these new batteries are sealed, so is their a fire / fume hazard if mounting them in the garage next to the wheel well box box on the same side and close to the trailer's stock inverter. Anyone with thoughts on just keeping the extra batteries in the bed of my F250 while camping, (unloading when not camping) and running a jumper cable to the existing battery on the tongue.Can the stock inverter charge 4 deep cycle batteries adequately?If not what size battery charger do I need? I have a 30 amp generator that keep in the bed of the truck when RV'ing that I plan on using for charging the batteries every few days as needed.Suggestions on battery size, type, and cabling the batteries up in series and parallel etc. Thanks for your ideas and suggestion,

You have several choices. AGM batteries don't have to be vented. You can buy a sealed battery box and vent to the outside for Lead acid batteries. A lot of TC have the battery box inside and many boats have the battery vented this way.I have 2 group 29 Lead acid batteries that will only last about 2 days running the fridge and a few lights. I added 165 watts of solar and this seams to keep them up without running the generator. I've only tested them on one trip so far and it was mixed camping.

Deep cycle lead acid batteries are not sealed. They are not maintenance free.I would suggest using 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series. They are about $80 at Costco. You could use four wired in series-parrallel configuration.I would suggest recharging via genset every couple days. Don't let them get down too far.Verify that your converter is a multi-stage one.

I would put agm's in the garage. AGM's are nice, no maintenance. No venting. Now if you want super top of the line go lithium. You can get by with less batteries if you buy some solar. Solar is awesome and cheap now. I have a 200 watt system with controller and wiring which only cost me 329.00. The great thing about solar is your batteries generally stay at a higher state of charge which adds to the batteries lifespan. JMHO

post the converter model number for best suggestions.

A suggestion. Multiple AGM batteries where you propose to put your batteries next to your CONverter. That way, nothing corrodes including your converter.Three Lifeline batteries can accept a 300 amp charge when starting out.So your existing charger is as worthwhile as having a garden hose in a forest fire. Even 3 regular batteries can accept 100+ amperes.Unless you like hearing your generator run.Now here is a BARB directed at some folks (heh heh heh)A good AGM can be discharged to a level of 30% remaining charge and not be damaged anywhere near as much as a flooded battery (cycle life degradation). Weight and space-wise this can be a deal maker.Sell the battery on the tongue. Reduce weight. Having it there is a stupid design flaw, weight wise. Placing batteries opposite heavy appliances near the axles is the best distribution objective.An EIGHTY to ONE HUNDRED ampere charger will reduce generator run time. Dramatically. As in, it's either that or three dollar + gallon gasoline and ear plugs and plan on seeing the local gas station, often.

Need some suggestions on upgrading batteries for dry camping

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2017
“You can get by with less batteries if you buy some solar. Solar is awesome and cheap now.“

Ne’s comment is good. Two batteries and solar. Less weight and mostly no generator use.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 22, 2017
yes you can put AGM batteries in the garage

you said 'inverter'

do you have an inverter/charger combo unit

or do you have seperate converter for charging and inverter for making 120v

what make model, what charge rate ?

probably anything you have can be used, but people have a habit of using large amounts of power when using an inverter aka microwave cooking, coffee maker
then they want to run the generator the shortest amount of time
sometimes they don't run it enough, because they are not charging/replacing the used power like they think they are
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 22, 2017
A suggestion. Multiple AGM batteries where you propose to put your batteries next to your CONverter. That way, nothing corrodes including your converter.

Three Lifeline batteries can accept a 300 amp charge when starting out.

So your existing charger is as worthwhile as having a garden hose in a forest fire. Even 3 regular batteries can accept 100+ amperes.

Unless you like hearing your generator run.

Now here is a BARB directed at some folks (heh heh heh)

A good AGM can be discharged to a level of 30% remaining charge and not be damaged anywhere near as much as a flooded battery (cycle life degradation). Weight and space-wise this can be a deal maker.

Sell the battery on the tongue. Reduce weight. Having it there is a stupid design flaw, weight wise. Placing batteries opposite heavy appliances near the axles is the best distribution objective.

An EIGHTY to ONE HUNDRED ampere charger will reduce generator run time. Dramatically. As in, it's either that or three dollar + gallon gasoline and ear plugs and plan on seeing the local gas station, often.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 22, 2017
post the converter model number for best suggestions.
dave17352
Explorer
Oct 22, 2017
I would put agm's in the garage. AGM's are nice, no maintenance. No venting. Now if you want super top of the line go lithium.

You can get by with less batteries if you buy some solar. Solar is awesome and cheap now. I have a 200 watt system with controller and wiring which only cost me 329.00. The great thing about solar is your batteries generally stay at a higher state of charge which adds to the batteries lifespan.

JMHO
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 22, 2017
Deep cycle lead acid batteries are not sealed. They are not maintenance free.
I would suggest using 6 volt golf cart batteries wired in series. They are about $80 at Costco. You could use four wired in series-parrallel configuration.
I would suggest recharging via genset every couple days. Don't let them get down too far.
Verify that your converter is a multi-stage one.
Joe417
Explorer
Oct 22, 2017
You have several choices. AGM batteries don't have to be vented. You can buy a sealed battery box and vent to the outside for Lead acid batteries. A lot of TC have the battery box inside and many boats have the battery vented this way.

I have 2 group 29 Lead acid batteries that will only last about 2 days running the fridge and a few lights. I added 165 watts of solar and this seams to keep them up without running the generator. I've only tested them on one trip so far and it was mixed camping.

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