Battery compartment limitations

[Fish_mojo]

Starting to get into needs for our new to us 2006 Kodiak VXL 2200 mh. It is a smaller 22' B+.

For the house power, there is a single group 24 12v battery from 2009. It work, looks clean, and I haven't tested it. From the age, I'd say its due to be replaced, whether it tests good or not. We do have a gen on board, and I just replaced all the bulbs with LED. No solar.

The battery tray is a slide out unit 12" wide by 14" deep. I don't see any way to fit 2 batteries in the compartment. To get the most capacity, I would think a group 31 would fit and provide the most bang for the buck. SSC225 Trojan?? Looking for ideas and recommendations.
Thanks.

edit*** took another look- it is a group 27, not a 24 and set in the compartment sideways (12" dimension). The width now looks like it would fit a second group 27 behind it. I would assume just get 2 new group 27 deep cycles and just jumper the 2 in parallel (+ to +, - to minus). Are there other options?

[time2roll]

tpi wrote:
Sounds good. Next up suggestion to find a way to keep the new batteries on a trickle charge schedule (solar, 120v charger, etc.) so they're always brim full and ready for your next outing. Many RV batteries meet their demise because they sit in a state of chronic discharge.

For always brim full I recommend 60+ watts of solar and a good controller. More if you want to minimize running the generator while in use. Roof space will be the limiting factor.

For a quick fill on generator power you need to verify the converter charges at 14.2/14.8 volts. Post the model number for best suggestions.

Virtually every RV charges the house battery when in motion. Not always real fast but plenty adequate. House battery voltage should rise after the engine is started.

[Fish_mojo]

Dakzuki wrote:


Good call. Not sure what power converter you have but if it's a single stage, you really should upgrade to a multi-stage converter. Your batteries will charge faster and last longer.

Not sure what I have- I would imagine it is the original equipment that came with the MH in 2006. I recently bought this used.

Any recommendation for what I should get? What about charging while driving? Does my engine alternate push power to the house batteries while driving? Is there an aftermarket easy to install system?

[Dakzuki]

Fish mojo wrote:
Ended up getting the 2 6-volt golf cart batteries from Costco.

Good call. Not sure what power converter you have but if it's a single stage, you really should upgrade to a multi-stage converter. Your batteries will charge faster and last longer.

[tpi]

Sounds good. Next up suggestion to find a way to keep the new batteries on a trickle charge schedule (solar, 120v charger, etc.) so they're always brim full and ready for your next outing. Many RV batteries meet their demise because they sit in a state of chronic discharge.

[Fish_mojo]

Ended up getting the 2 6-volt golf cart batteries from Costco.

[lawrosa]

it is a group 27, not a 24

IMO if your not doing much boondocking go with two 24's..

Have you boondocked and ran out of power??

IMO go to Sams club and get their duracell 24's deep cycles.. ( Dont get the starting ones)

They are 75 aH. So thats 150aH.. But you get 1/2 of that.. So 75ah to use during dry camping..

These are $79 bucks at my club...

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-marine-battery-group-size-24dcc/prod3590221.ip

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I would favor group 29 over group 31 unless you are going to use AGM chemistry.

This is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.



As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.

If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:

correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries

Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?

[BruceMc]

Here was my battery box rebuild to accommodate 2 golf cart batteries on our 2000 Four Winds. The original box would accommodate only a grp 27. It was a poor design - the battery was tucked in a hole and was a royal pain to service.

Trojan T-105 and T125's are 10 3/8 in. x 7 1/8 in. x 10 7/8 in.

Let us know what you decide on... and your implementation.

[tatest]

If you have enough height, you might find a pair of 200 amp-hour 6-volt batteries close enough in size to fit. Depends on whether you have slightly more than 14 inches to handle the pair. T-100 series 6v from Trojan run slightly under 10 1/2 by slightly more than 7 inches, height starting near 11 inches and increasing with larger capacity. You'll have to make sure a 10 inch battery won't fall out the bottom of the box.

Depends on your needs, my RV has a pair of group 24 to take care of moving slideouts without an additional power source, but most of my needs can be handled by one, I don't dry camp.

[Fish_mojo]

Some boon docking, not full-time.

Are the 6 volt golf cart batteries an option? Will they fit in my battery tray? Obviously, they will need to go in series (+ to -) to make the 12V. What about the charging wire in this circumstance? Since I am currently on a single 12v battery system, there is one charging wire to the + terminal. Would I just do the single charge wire to one of the + battery terminals on dual 6 v or parallel 12 v?

[lawrosa]

Are you looking for max amps?

Are you boondocking?

Do you camp with no power? And how long?

How will you charge the batterys?