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Adding second battery in new 5th wheel

GREENReactor
Explorer
Explorer
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.....
~~~DavidL
21 REPLIES 21

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
RC toys ?
aquarium pumps ?
Art fairs ?
electric fans ?

your talking battery and NOT discussing load,
12 motors , even small fans mean a lot of load
size of motors ? run time involved

have you already done this before with a different vehicle ?

you info is severely LACKING
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

GREENReactor
Explorer
Explorer
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...)
~~~DavidL

starcraft69
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2007 chevy 2500 HD 6.0 longbed
2015 Eagle HT 28.5 5th wheel
tucker the fishing dog

The_real_wild1
Explorer
Explorer
My toy hauler came with one 12v. Not nearly enough. It was in one of the plastic battery boxes. I took them out and installed 2 6v in the same spot. I use a ratchet strap to secure them. Lots of room for the batteries as long as they are not in boxes.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Almost everyone on here has installed more batteries. You won't have any charging problems.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

GREENReactor
Explorer
Explorer
I'm about to embark on a power-hog project (involving powering 12v electric motors) that will be used in non-hook-up places where I'll be limited in access to other power (eg, a generator). It could easily drain a single battery within a fairly short period, but two should leave me plenty enough afterward to get by for a while until I can recharge.

I know that regardless of this immediate need, I know I'll eventually be looking for longer battery use time anyway, so I'm ready to move forward on it now. I just need to convince myself that I won't have problems with the charging system or other side-effects that I need to know about.
~~~DavidL

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Tell us about your usage. Why do you need more capacity?
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman