Battery Theft and replacement questions

[RRZNagas]

So on New Years Eve or Day, we're not sure yet, on of our 2 batteries was stolen from my Jayco while it was in storage. They cut the strap, and the wires, and just lifted it out, leaving behind the other one. They have both been used over the last 16 months.

My question is should I replace the one they left behind and get two new batteries, or can I get away with just buying one, since the other one should have a few good years left?

Yeah, so Happy New Years to us...

[TurnThePage]

So, I assume you're referring to me. And I think you make a valid point. I do it all the time, though not usually talking down. I'll work on that. Thanks for pointing it out. And I applaud your clever way of putting me in my place. Really!

Happy New Year and stay warm!

[Passin_Thru]

So, Don't start a sentence with "SO"
That little head c o c k, slight furrowing of the brow, and set-up with “so” says to your audience, “I’m trying to dumb this down so someone like you may have at least a chance of comprehending the importance of what I do.” Just a quote.

[FLY_4_FUN]

I would wait until spring....in case they come back and steal the other battery! Sadly lots of folks replace batts and then have the new ones stolen a short time later. Wish it wasn't the case, but thieves dont play fair. A single 12v is good for normal full hook-ups, a 2nd 12v is great for dry camping. I personally would sell off the "nearly new" 12v batt and get a fresh pair of 12v batts to parallel.

daryll

[3oaks]

DiskDoctr wrote:
Two purchases.

One new battery and one of these:



Warning: May require steam cleaning your camper in the Spring 😉

Not really because the back blast from a claymore mine will destroy the trailer. :E

Sometime back in the '60s, we experimented with attaching them to the front bumper of a duce and a half. The idea was to trigger the claymore mine in the event of a frontal ambush. However, the back blast forced part of the bumper into the engine compartment. Scratched that idea.......:(

[SoundGuy]

GordonThree wrote:
A disconnect between the bank and load makes sense. A disconnect between batteries, or multiple disconnects, I don't agree.

I never said anything about multiple disconnects ... the Blue Sea m-Series 6007 battery disconnect switch is intended to be wired between the batteries & load and offers maximum flexibility by allowing one to choose to run on Batt 1 or Batt 2 or Batt 1+2. :B

[pianotuna]

Hi,

You have not considered the Peukert effect. The bank needs to be constructed from identical batteries wired in a balanced manner. Isolating the batteries from one another is a distant second as far as cycle life goes.

jerryjay11 wrote:
My question is should I replace the one they left behind and get two new batteries, or can I get away with just buying one, since the other one should have a few good years left?

As the Soundguy says. Batteries charging in parallel should be of the same strength or the weaker battery can drain the stronger battery when not charging. When charging the stronger battery will determine when the charging system will go into trickle charge and never bring the weaker battery up to full charge. Isolating the batteries as soundguy said would be a better option.

[rbpru]

Points to ponder.

Are they two six volt or two twelve volt? You need twelve volts to power the TT.

Do you really need a pair of twelve volt batteries for type of camping you do.

16 months is not all that long in battery life.

A match pair or a switch are the best choice but if you can get by with a switch, why do you have two batteries?

[ctilsie242]

Have an aluminum fabrication shop (there is always one nearby, especially in farm areas) make an enclosed toolchest like place for the batteries. Out of sight, out of mind.

This exact thing happened to someone on the Facebook Jayco group, where someone snipped the wires to grab the batteries. It is pretty typical, as (AFAIK) battery acid is used in meth production.

[DiskDoctr]

Two purchases.

One new battery and one of these:



Warning: May require steam cleaning your camper in the Spring 😉

[2012Coleman]

pianotuna wrote:
Best practice is to replace with two new jars.

Even better practice would be to not leave the batteries with the TT while in storage.

[GordonThree]

A disconnect between the bank and load makes sense. A disconnect between batteries, or multiple disconnects, I don't agree.

[SoundGuy]

GordonThree wrote:
X2, thumbs down for a switch / isolator, way too much complication.

A battery disconnect switch is "complicated"? :h Wow. :S Fact is, every trailer would benefit from one, whether one battery or multiple. :B

[PenMan]

Replace both batteries is the best practice.

[azrving]

Fabricate a lockable steel strap to safely hold them in place. It may not stop everyone but the low fruit gets picked first.

[GordonThree]

X2, thumbs down for a switch / isolator, way too much complication.

Have the remaining battery fully charged and then tested. If it's good, great, add one more battery - the sky won't fall, it's not going to cause a zombie apocalypse connecting the two.

If the remaining battery doesn't test good, time for two new ones.