Adding second battery in new 5th wheel

[GREENReactor]

I'm definitely going to need more capacity right away in my Cougar 28SGS. I'd rather not buy TWO batteries as I'd have to if I go to a pair of in-series 6V batteries, and since the 12V one is almost new I can just get one now and go with parallel.

(Of course this is once I figure out where to mount the second one -- I think there's room for a shelf and a second battery in the compartment.)

Any recommendations?

I have yet to see if there's going to be any problem with the existing inverter/charger system with the addition -- any tips from anyone who's done it already would be appreciated, too.....

[GREENReactor]

Anyone who's followed this discussion (that you're reading now) but has missed this other one (that I'm about to suggest), you'll find a lot of good info over on this topic:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29240242/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

[Boon_Docker]

GREENReactor wrote:
Anybody use these Duracells? Looks like a good price....
https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/rv/deep-cycle/6/sligc115

Good battery at a good price.

[Veebyes]

Read up on the specs of various batterys. Look at case sizes & performance. you probably have room for a single 4D, maybe even an 8D battery. The big single battery eliminates the potential problems created by having to link a pair of 6V batteries.

[Dusty_R]

Boon Docker wrote:

Dusty R wrote:


Most guys on here want to go to 2-6v batteries. I prefer to go with 2-12v ones. If one dies when you are in the middle of nowhere, with 2-12s you can unhook the one died and still have power.

Dusty

If one of the parallel 12's goes down it will discharge the other one fairly quickly leaving it useless also.

Only until it is recharged after the bad one is unhooked.

Dusty

[Boon_Docker]

Dusty R wrote:


Most guys on here want to go to 2-6v batteries. I prefer to go with 2-12v ones. If one dies when you are in the middle of nowhere, with 2-12s you can unhook the one died and still have power.

Dusty

If one of the parallel 12's goes down it will discharge the other one fairly quickly leaving it useless also.

[Dusty_R]

We bought a new mh in August 2015, it also came with 1 12 volt battery. It was from NAPA, so I did what you are thinking of doing.
Because both batteries should be about the same age and make, I went to my local NAPA dealer right away and bought the same size and model as what came in our new mh.

Most guys on here want to go to 2-6v batteries. I prefer to go with 2-12v ones. If one dies when you are in the middle of nowhere, with 2-12s you can unhook the one died and still have power.

Dusty

[time2roll]

Keystone installs mostly WFCO converters. These are listed a 3 stage charging but are notorious for never switching to boost mode no matter how low the battery is. I recommend Progressive Dynamics or IOTA converters that actually perform as expected.

If you do go with a inverter/charger they are always good at charging and you can just cut power to the existing converter.

[DrewE]

riven1950 wrote:
I don't want to steal a thread but I think my question is related. If not, let know and I'll start a new thread.

First I am not familiar with golf cart batteries. I have a single 12v also. Someone said 2 GC batteries will fit in same space as a 12v. Will they fit in the 12v 24group box or do you have to get a larger box. I ask because the space on our TT is limited. 2017 Coachmen Apex 249rbs. Can they be mounted without a box?

GC2 (standard 6V golf cart) batteries are each a similar footprint to a typical 12V battery, but somewhat taller. You definitely can't fit two GC2's in the same space as one 12V battery. You often can fit the pair in the same space as two 12V batteries, though it's wise to check the height first as it's sometimes insufficient.

Batteries do need to be protected somehow against accidental contact, either in a box or a compartment of some description. You really, really don't want to have your lug wrench or whatever fall on top of your batteries. Their space does also need to be ventilated somewhat so that fumes (especially hydrogen gas) can dissipate safely.

[GREENReactor]

Anybody use these Duracells? Looks like a good price....
https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/rv/deep-cycle/6/sligc115

[GREENReactor]

time2roll wrote:

GREENReactor wrote:
I have yet to see if there's going to be any problem with the existing inverter/charger system with the addition -- any tips from anyone who's done it already would be appreciated, too.....

You have an inverter/charger with a single battery? More likely just a fixed voltage converter that will take three days to charge the battery. Please post the model number for best replies. Probably need an upgrade if charging with a generator.

I had assumed that there was an inverter involved because I thought that we'd had the TV on while not connected (and possibly something run from an AC outlet also) but I guess I was misremembering. I'll have to dive deeper into the electrical system on this Cougar 28SGS.

I take it the converter is going to be slow to recharge a pair of deeply discharged 6V batteries when I get connected? I'm going to have to add charging system upgrades (and inverter) to the To-Do list....

[riven1950]

I don't want to steal a thread but I think my question is related. If not, let know and I'll start a new thread.

First I am not familiar with golf cart batteries. I have a single 12v also. Someone said 2 GC batteries will fit in same space as a 12v. Will they fit in the 12v 24group box or do you have to get a larger box. I ask because the space on our TT is limited. 2017 Coachmen Apex 249rbs. Can they be mounted without a box?

[time2roll]

GREENReactor wrote:
I have yet to see if there's going to be any problem with the existing inverter/charger system with the addition -- any tips from anyone who's done it already would be appreciated, too.....

You have an inverter/charger with a single battery?
More likely just a fixed voltage converter that will take three days to charge the battery.
Please post the model number for best replies. Probably need an upgrade if charging with a generator.

[The_real_wild1]

GREENReactor wrote:
So just replace the one 12 volt with 2 (in series) 6 volts and no change to anything else? (Yeah, I know I can upgrade the inverter and such, but no change is immediately required, right?)

I guess I can use the almost new 12 volt that I pull out for other projects...

And BTW, I know that recharging is always important, its just that sometimes I will be using the motors at a place where I can't immediately recharge, so I want to make sure I won't get caught with too deep of a discharge...)

Yes just swap them in. Don't forget to buy the cable the will join the two batteries together.

[theoldwizard1]

starcraft69 wrote:
do the switch now 2 6v GC batteries, If you have no way to charge you will run into problems quickly no matter if you have two batteries or not you need charging capabilities.

CONCUR !