2 -6 volts or 4?

[ivbinconned]

Going to head south in a couple days. In the past I have used 4 six volt batteries and I have four. We will be doing some bonndocking.
We have a 2000 gen as well.
Of course it’s extra weight.
Go with just two or use all four. What would determine your decision?

[pnichols]

I'm in the "as many batteries as you can fit or afford ... whichever comes first" camp.

As such, all we can fit are a couple of 12V Group 31 AGM batteries. We can go about three (3) days on these before recharge ... keeping our propane/12V refrigerator of course on 24/7, using two non-heated CPAP machines during the nights, and keeping the furnace set to 65 degrees during the nights.

We can recharge three different non-solar ways: The main engine alternator, the built-in 4KW generator and the converter, or a 650 watt portable generator and the converter. These recharging methods work well because AGM batteries charge faster than liquid acid battereis - but they do cost more to buy initially.

[crosscheck]

Go with 4 6V batteries. The extra 130lbs is nothing. For boondocking, adequate battery AH is probably one of the most important must have items. It,s the gas tank for your electrical system. One of the biggest reasons we can dry camp for 2 months without a genny is our 4 batteries for our modest electrical needs.

Dave

[wa8yxm]

I would go with two pair.. or 3 pair.. I know it is more weight buit it's more amp hours and frankly I need the amp hours.

[Grit_dog]

Split the difference. Take 3....

[ivbinconned]

I also carry along a 20 amp Smart Charger. In case the converter goes down.
I also fed a cord from the front battery compartment through to the hitch with a few feet to spare and can run the gen on eco, in the back of the truck while we drive. On eco it runs the charger.
I carry the gen in front storage. The trailer plug is at the rear.
I installed a “transfer switch” with wire to front compartment and can plug into gen in there or just lift out onto the ground.
I think we’re ready.
Pray for safe good weather. Leaving on Wednesday.

[Lwiddis]

Get an adequate solar system and take all four. Use the generator for cloudy days only.

[MrWizard]

inverters are quieter than generators

regardless, the batteries have to be recharged, and unless the roof is covered in solar panels and can generate more amphrs of power than you use, the generator will come into use

i am in the more battery is better 'group', but i still have a generator and still need to charge the batteries with it

battery power is not free, it has to be 'replenished' some how

[time2roll]

ivbinconned wrote:
I did mention we do have a generator. We may well park a week or as long as our water lasts out in the sand. I’ll put in all 4.

Good time to review your charging system to minimize generator run time. You need the converter to charge at 14.2+ volts for a fast recharge. If you have a WFCO 3-stage that is notorious for 13.6v trickle charge you could be running the generator 10+ hours to get over 90%.

[2oldman]

ivbinconned wrote:
I did mention we do have a generator.

Inverters are much quieter than generators.

[twodownzero]

I just had to replace my batteries yesterday. I bought 4. I have 400 watts of solar to keep them full. Going to start with these 4 as an experiment and see how it goes.

[ivbinconned]

I did mention we do have a generator. We may well park a week or as long as our water lasts out in the sand. I’ll put in all 4.

[pianotuna]

Significant boondocking much better with more capacity.

[2oldman]

ivbinconned wrote:
What would determine your decision?

Whether I have an inverter and the loads I expect to place on it.

[time2roll]

I would fill the available battery space if going off-grid. 4x