Adding a 2nd battery
If I am to park for more than 1 night in one place without hookup or a lot of sun then I'm going to need a 2nd battery. Unfortunately there is no space to fit it. So the only option I can see is to...
Forum Discussion
Hi Steve,
if there is any length of cable between the two, make sure that the wire gauge is adequate for the high amperage. There are a number of sources on the web that will help you calculate the power loss you can expect and the suitable wire gauge for a given current and length of cable.
Decent cables can be found in car audio stores ;-) These stores will also have fuses, which you need to protect the cable. Without a fuse near the + pole you create a serious fire hazard, as the batteries can easily deliver 1000 Amps when shorted.
I am unaware of a coupling which I would trust with the high currents you might encounter. Is there really no storage space in your camper which you could give up for a fixed install? It might be better to move around the stuff that would otherwise be stored there as opposed to a 20-30kg battery.
If you use normal acid batteries, I would just get another battery of the same type and capacity and wire it up in parallel in your situation. Be sure to have adequate ventilation to the outside in the new battery box, wherever it will end up to be.
hth,
Joerg
if there is any length of cable between the two, make sure that the wire gauge is adequate for the high amperage. There are a number of sources on the web that will help you calculate the power loss you can expect and the suitable wire gauge for a given current and length of cable.
Decent cables can be found in car audio stores ;-) These stores will also have fuses, which you need to protect the cable. Without a fuse near the + pole you create a serious fire hazard, as the batteries can easily deliver 1000 Amps when shorted.
I am unaware of a coupling which I would trust with the high currents you might encounter. Is there really no storage space in your camper which you could give up for a fixed install? It might be better to move around the stuff that would otherwise be stored there as opposed to a 20-30kg battery.
If you use normal acid batteries, I would just get another battery of the same type and capacity and wire it up in parallel in your situation. Be sure to have adequate ventilation to the outside in the new battery box, wherever it will end up to be.
hth,
Joerg
