Gel batteries

BFL13 wrote:
Depends on the individual RV's layout/floor-plan for being able to do this, but I have a mix of AGMs and Floodeds. Key is that the AGMs can be inside the rig, but not the Floodeds. I split the batteries into two different banks.

The AGMs in a bank just do the big inverter, which does "whole house" for all 120v items I run (not the air conditioner, fridge, and WH of course) so that takes care of a big bunch of 12v.

The "normal" RV 12v stuff (furnace, lights, fans, etc ) are run from the Flooded bank as a separate event.

I keep track of how far down each bank is getting and recharge as necessary using the charging specs for the AGMs on them, and the charging specs on the Floodeds for them. I have an adjustable voltage charger so that is no problem. (PowerMax ADJ type)

In addition I have two separate solar arrays on the roof, and each has its own controller, which has the right charging specs for each type of bank.

At home, I keep each bank at its own Float voltage with two different chargers for that.

What I really like about all that, is the regular 12v Flooded batts can be run down farther so I don't have to care about getting too close to where the inverter will alarm off when I run the microwave or whatever. The inverter having its own battery bank means freedom compared with before when I had it on the same bank with everything else 12v.

That's pretty much what I've been considering doing, but with one solar charging set-up that I can select which bank to charge. I would like to be able to run my 12v/propane forced air unit off a dedicated bank so if the voltage gets low for one reason or another the rest of the trailer is not affected. I like the water pump and C-paps to work steadily even if the furnace is struggling. These 155ah batteries could make that happen sooner than later.............one reason is the cost......Zero $'s. And since they're sealed, they can really go anywhere. All in the thinking stages now.