Where to add house battery?

[A_K_Chesnut]

I'm looking to add a second 12v house battery to our '93 23'6" Tioga Montara. Currently it has just one, located under the upper entry step. Anyone have a similar rig mind telling me what they did? Thanks!

[A_K_Chesnut]

VLAD wrote:

A_K_Chesnut wrote:


W'll keep the 12v, it isn't that old, and will throw that in a tub to connect when we're parked for extended periods.

I hope you will not connect old 12v, parallel to 2 6 volt.

No sir. I have no intention of burning our new home to the ground! 😉

[VLAD]

A_K_Chesnut wrote:


W'll keep the 12v, it isn't that old, and will throw that in a tub to connect when we're parked for extended periods.

I hope you will not connect old 12v, parallel to 2 6 volt.

[waianaegal]

I added a 2nd battery when I purchased my new Minnie Winnie 24" 22R... single battery under steps, room to add 2nd... took pic of battery which camp with the rig... Napa battery... went to Napa showed them the pic... $92 later installed myself in less than 15 min... all is good... will be adding solar in the fall.

There is only vinyl in my rig, but I added carpet myself which covers up the steps coming in, it is not permanent and can be removed in order to check battery water levels and also there is venting thru the flooring under the batteries so as not to vent into the rig.

Been full timing since Aug 2015... Enjoy the process getting ready and just love life on the road.

[Sam_Spade]

A_K_Chesnut wrote:
or if my only option is to pay the price for AGM and put them in a cabinet somewhere.

Those are two options that are not necessarily tied together.

[A_K_Chesnut]

Measured the battery box, it will accept two Trojan T-105s (which I assume is a pretty standard GC2 size). I am concerned about the weight though, I'm not sure I trust 120 lbs in that factory battery box! I'll take a closer look next time I'm over there. Maybe something I can reinforce.

Ideally I would LOVE to put two GC2s in the OEM battery box to replace the 12v in there. I'll keep the 12v, it isn't that old, and will throw that in a tub to connect when we're parked for extended periods.

[klutchdust]

If you compare the storage capacity of the 2 batteries you have in mind against certain deep cell batteries you may be able to get close enough in capacity that one battery will be sufficient. Two batteries don't necessarily mean lots of storage as their ratings are different.

[A_K_Chesnut]

rjf7g wrote:
I did consider buying a second battery that I would carry in a tub inside when traveling and then place on the ground behind the step with the cables running through the air holes of the battery box. If I was not going to be near shore power, I was thinking about swapping the batteries out mid-trip to charge them both.

Well now why didn't I think of that???

[rjf7g]

I had a 27' 1992 Tioga with a single battery under the steps. I didn't boondock in it as I never got it to the point where I could count on everything somewhat working. I did consider buying a second battery that I would carry in a tub inside when traveling and then place on the ground behind the step with the cables running through the air holes of the battery box. If I was not going to be near shore power, I was thinking about swapping the batteries out mid-trip to charge them both.

[samven1]

Just be very careful where you put them. I had to take a gp 27 battery with me to run my telescope and put it on a board in the storage area. When I took it out I noticed that it had started to pull the box away from the wall. The weight was ok but the bouncing it down the road for 1000 miles was like beating the box with a 55 lb sledge. Now I know why the current battery frame is steel and welded to the frame.

[A_K_Chesnut]

I hear you Sam. Heading over to the RV in a bit to do some interior work, I'll measure the battery box. I don't think I can fit two GC2s in there, no way I can fit two 12v. Just trying to see if anyone's sort another location for flooded batteries, or if my only option is to pay the price for AGM and put them in a cabinet somewhere.

[samven1]

The problem is that the 6v are usually larger than the 12v that come with a C. My RV has the battery under the step as well and the holder is wide enough for 2 group 27's but I can not put in 6v batts because they are taller and will short to the step when closed. You may have to measure the space and look for the largest single batt that will fit, change you lights to LED.
Of course if you have big bucks to spend, they now make lith ion batts the size of car batteries with more capacity but you could buy a Honda generator for less.

[klutchdust]

Sam Spade wrote:

Bordercollie wrote:
Connect batteries in PARALEL to double capacity,

Or connect two 6V deep cells in series for a bit more than double the capacity probably.

I did just that and my capacity is higher than with two twelve volts.

[Sam_Spade]

Bordercollie wrote:
Connect batteries in PARALEL to double capacity,

Or connect two 6V deep cells in series for a bit more than double the capacity probably.

[A_K_Chesnut]

Bordercollie wrote:
Maybe there is space in cabinet under the sink if it's near the existing battery. Connect batteries in PARALEL to double capacity, using long standard battery cables. Observe polarity when connecting. Probably need to have holes for ventilation underneath extra battery.

Issue there is venting for sure, also ignition sources. AGM would be the safest, but $$$.