I finished installing (4) 12v deep cycle batteries in the camper along with a 1500 watt inverter. It took a little planning, but I got it up and running today. I couldn't go with 6V Trojans as they were too tall for both the Lance slideout battery tray compartment as well as the other compartment I used. I completely sealed the second battery compartment and also vented it.I've got the 145 watt solar panel installed on the roof and have room for another 100 watt panel, which I can get for $139.

NiceLooks like an extended dry camp is in order Where you able to keep the inverter close to the bat area , how big did you go with the inverter cables

okan-star wrote:NiceLooks like an extended dry camp is in order Where you able to keep the inverter close to the bat area , how big did you go with the inverter cablesI went with #4 welding wire cable. Yep, all wire length were kept short.

Just another reason to not get slides with your rig............ :)

Racorman just a question. How did you fit the ends onto the cables and what type did you use.

Very nice.Did you use AGMs? or flooded lead acid batteries?A very clever solution; nice job.Rob

4 Deep Cycle Batteries Installed In My Lance | Good Sam Community

okan-star
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Nice
Looks like an extended dry camp is in order
Where you able to keep the inverter close to the bat area , how big did you go with the inverter cables
Racorman
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
okan-star wrote:
Nice
Looks like an extended dry camp is in order
Where you able to keep the inverter close to the bat area , how big did you go with the inverter cables

I went with #4 welding wire cable. Yep, all wire length were kept short.
Racorman
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Just another reason to not get slides with your rig............ :)
Led_67
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Racorman just a question. How did you fit the ends onto the cables and what type did you use.
rob_g
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Very nice.

Did you use AGMs? or flooded lead acid batteries?

A very clever solution; nice job.

Rob
Racorman
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Led 67 wrote:
Racorman just a question. How did you fit the ends onto the cables and what type did you use.

I used #4 welding cable wire and copper ends all purchased at a welding supply store.
crosscheck
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2013
Racorman,

You are going to loooove the extra capacity of the batteries and the convenience of the inverter and the quiet power of the solar. You will want to go dry camping or boondocking when ever you can.

The only problem I can see is that after a week out camping, you will say"I guess I should have installed that other solar panel."

Dave
wintersun
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2013
Seems like overkill and a lot of extra weight to haul around. We do fine with two 110AH 12v batteries never getting below 80% DOD when camping and the 15 amps provided by two solar panels recharges them in less than 3 hours.
Boatycall
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
wintersun wrote:
Seems like overkill and a lot of extra weight to haul around. We do fine with two 110AH 12v batteries never getting below 80% DOD when camping and the 15 amps provided by two solar panels recharges them in less than 3 hours.

If four is overkill, what's six? I have six. I live near Seattle. Think solar and Seattle. They don't work together. Now, on the other hand, if I could mount some sort of hydroelectric generator to my downspouts I'd be set.

I run a 2kw inverter, and run my coffee maker, satellite, nuker, the whole works.

I have two golf carts in the factory spot, four more in the basement with a vent.
bka0721
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2013
Boatycall wrote:
wintersun wrote:
Seems like overkill and a lot of extra weight to haul around. We do fine with two 110AH 12v batteries never getting below 80% DOD when camping and the 15 amps provided by two solar panels recharges them in less than 3 hours.

If four is overkill, what's six? I have six. I live near Seattle. Think solar and Seattle. They don't work together. Now, on the other hand, if I could mount some sort of hydroelectric generator to my downspouts I'd be set.

I run a 2kw inverter, and run my coffee maker, satellite, nuker, the whole works.

I have two golf carts in the factory spot, four more in the basement with a vent.
Seems like overkill, well to many, yes.

But we all are very different in what we use our campers for and how we live our lives. Otherwise everyone should be driving the same truck I have, and the same camper I have too. I like seeing all the different threads and modifications all of us do to our truck campers. I like to cherry pick the ones that best interest me.

Full disclosure? I have ten 6 Volt batteries and there are times I wish I had more.

b