While dry camping in chilly weather it became apparent that I needed a second battery. I purchased an identical battery to the existing. I'll be routing large diameter cables to connect the 2 together via the posts. These units have both automotive posts and studs. All of the trailers connections are on the studs. My question is, should I split the trailer's connectors between the two batteries or keep them all connected to one battery?Thanks

You should split the trailer's connectors to make them draw more evenly. Also, if your current battery is more than a year old, I highly recommend that you change both of them, and if you have space, buy a real deep cycle battery or batteries rather than another RV battery.

Are your units true deep cycle batteries?

twodownzero wrote:You should split the trailer's connectors to make them draw more evenly. Also, if your current battery is more than a year old, I highly recommend that you change both of them, and if you have space, buy a real deep cycle battery or batteries rather than another RV battery.Everything I've read says no. Connect the two in parallel, then the ground from one goes to the trailer ground and the other battery positive goes to the trailer "load" I've heard it referred to as "balanced" that way. Also if you're first battery is very old, or has been mistreated you may not get as much out of the added one as you'd like. And like twodownzero said, buy true deep cycle batteries or two 6 volt golf cart batteries.

Hook the batteries together in parallel and run everything form that. I would start with 2 new deep cycles.

2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

Adding a 2nd battery | Good Sam Community

dedmiston
Moderator
Jan 23, 2019
bighog01 wrote:
You guys are correct. You know what I meant:S
bighog01
Explorer
Jan 23, 2019
You guys are correct. You know what I meant:S
Dirtclods
Explorer II
Jan 23, 2019
dedmiston wrote:
bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

I think you mean serial, not parallel. If you connect them parallel, you'll just have one long-running 6v system instead of 12v.

When going to the 6 volters, you must wire pairs of them in (series) to produce the needed 12 volts.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jan 22, 2019
bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

I think you mean serial, not parallel. If you connect them parallel, you'll just have one long-running 6v system instead of 12v.
Farmboy666
Explorer
Jan 22, 2019
bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

You have to run them in series to get 12v.
lincster
Explorer
Jan 22, 2019
2 6V's will solve your heater problem overnight.
Dirtclods
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2019
Great info

http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
bighog01
Explorer
Jan 21, 2019
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.
Farmboy666
Explorer
Jan 21, 2019
Hook the batteries together in parallel and run everything form that. I would start with 2 new deep cycles.
nayther
Explorer
Jan 21, 2019
twodownzero wrote:
You should split the trailer's connectors to make them draw more evenly. Also, if your current battery is more than a year old, I highly recommend that you change both of them, and if you have space, buy a real deep cycle battery or batteries rather than another RV battery.

Everything I've read says no. Connect the two in parallel, then the ground from one goes to the trailer ground and the other battery positive goes to the trailer "load" I've heard it referred to as "balanced" that way. Also if you're first battery is very old, or has been mistreated you may not get as much out of the added one as you'd like. And like twodownzero said, buy true deep cycle batteries or two 6 volt golf cart batteries.