Can I just add 2 batteries?

RLGetman wrote:
I have a 2005 Mobile Suites with two 6 volt batteries. I want to begin dry camping alternate weeks. I have a Honda 2000 generator that I use for Walmart stops. Where do I start electrical system improvements? I am currently replacing internal lighting with LEDs. I feel my next step is to add 2 batteries to my existing two 6 volt Interstate batteries. What else would I need and what is the estimated cost. Thanks

You will need to tell us what you mean by alternate weeks. Do you mean one week dry camping followed by one week on shore power?

If so, then you will be fine by using your genny to keep your batteries working for a week. Keep your batteries above 12.0V.

The following week on shore power will keep your batteries healthy.

If you are wondering if you will wear your batteries out to soon, you need to consider whether it is cheaper to have twice as many batteries, or just replace fewer batteries more often. I am in the latter camp, fewer batteries.

HTH;
John

Thanks everyone. I would like to do a proper electrical consumption analysis so that I can determine what I need, if anything. Does anyone have a link to a good documented process that they have used? I will search the internet as well. Thanks Again!

agwill wrote:
Yes you can but! two new paired with two old will cause problems down the road it is best to get four new ones of the same brand.

I see this claim all the time, Just what problems?

And what are the odds.

Any time you put batteries either in series or in parallel there is a CHANCE of a problem... and you can not get 12 volts without putting cells in series, thus there is a chance of a problem. (Roughly 100%) down the road.

Without knowing your electrical usage/needs, it's nothing but guesswork for us.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The OP did not hint at the age of his batteries or how well or poorly they may have been treated.

Has anyone here done a spreadsheet analysis on their electrical usage? Lights vs accessories, versus refrigerator? Hotel load analysis...

Not a spreadsheet but I documented just amp draw of different loads. On a 3 day trip we draw 200Ah's typically. I would like to move convection oven use to inverter. We could do it now (if we had a larger inverter) but not without a recharge somewhere in the camping trip.

The OP did not hint at the age of his batteries or how well or poorly they may have been treated.

Has anyone here done a spreadsheet analysis on their electrical usage? Lights vs accessories, versus refrigerator? Hotel load analysis...

RLGetman wrote:
I have a 2005 Mobile Suites with two 6 volt batteries. I want to begin dry camping alternate weeks. I have a Honda 2000 generator that I use for Walmart stops. Where do I start electrical system improvements? I am currently replacing internal lighting with LEDs. I feel my next step is to add 2 batteries to my existing two 6 volt Interstate batteries. What else would I need and what is the estimated cost. Thanks

I would look at reducing consumption (which you are doing) and solar charging before dropping more batteries in.

If you do add storage capacity you'll probably need to change out the existing batteries as well unless they are brand new.

You don't need 4 batteries. I been a dry camper for 40+ yrs, and have never seen a need for more than 2 batteries.
Remember 4 discharged batteries is much worse than 2 discharged batteries.
And whats better, 2 hrs gen run time on 2 batts per day, or 4 hrs gen run time on 4 batts every other day ?

Now if you have to depend on solar power, that can be a different story when you want to store as many amp hrs as possible for those days when the sun don't shine.

Sorry, didn't answer your question, to which the answer is it will probably ok to just add 2 batts, if the 2 you have are good.

If the specific gravity of your present batteries is just like new, I would say yes you can do it. BUT, if your batteries are a few years old and/or the SG is NOT like new then get 4 new batteries.

And of the same age or nearly so,