Which battery for small travel trailer
My wife and I have a FR Palonini 132FD. 16' LOA. We use it for two three-week trips every fall and spring - and occasional camping in between. We tow it with a Toyota Tacoma, and have a 100W sol...
Forum Discussion
Thank you for such swift and helpful responses: Nammedevac70; Deltabravo; theoldwizard1; Toedtoes - I will address each answer in order but first - duh - why did I write Nickel-Cadmium when the battery is Lithium Ion.
Overall, our camper is worth about $8K. This battery cost $800, and to upgrade charging from tow vehicle, A/C hookup, or solar, or generator - is all significantly more - which I hadn't planned for. We never hook up while camping even for three weeks.
1) Nammedevac70: Thanks - I'm definitely thinking 'less is more'. We never hook-up and I'm not a generator user and I don't have room for one plus fuel.. We live in a sunny part of the country and I'd rather upgrade my solar. It's perfectly reasonable to go into 'preserve' mode and use power very sparingly. I'll consider your battery suggestion - our closest Sam is over two hours away...
2) Deltabravo - Thanks. I'm not limited by battery size box as I've changed that before to accommodate two 6V golf-cart batteries before. (Extremely heavy esp. for a tiny camper) Your DC to DC is an excellent suggestion - which I'll probably follow-up on. As for changing converter to inverter etc. - that requires cabinetry removal and wiring know-how - a project I'd probably mess-up - so not for now.
3) Oldwizard1 - Sorry - that was a mistake - please see note above. A new converter would require cabinetry removal and wiring expertise - which I don't have - so better to stay away from that. I do have a solar controller on each panel which I use.
4) Mrandyj - I have different sized battery boxes or can change to suit the right battery(s) Sorry - I made a mistake about the battery - see notes above. You're right it's LiFe If I can get away with one (really good) battery - I'll try that first and go into 'preserve' mode with electrics. Right-on with your suggestions about DC to DC and variable output controller - I'll do those things right away.
5) Toedtoes. Thank you - very helpful. Your suggestions are backed-up by above advice from others and please see my responses which address yours too
Overall, our camper is worth about $8K. This battery cost $800, and to upgrade charging from tow vehicle, A/C hookup, or solar, or generator - is all significantly more - which I hadn't planned for. We never hook up while camping even for three weeks.
1) Nammedevac70: Thanks - I'm definitely thinking 'less is more'. We never hook-up and I'm not a generator user and I don't have room for one plus fuel.. We live in a sunny part of the country and I'd rather upgrade my solar. It's perfectly reasonable to go into 'preserve' mode and use power very sparingly. I'll consider your battery suggestion - our closest Sam is over two hours away...
2) Deltabravo - Thanks. I'm not limited by battery size box as I've changed that before to accommodate two 6V golf-cart batteries before. (Extremely heavy esp. for a tiny camper) Your DC to DC is an excellent suggestion - which I'll probably follow-up on. As for changing converter to inverter etc. - that requires cabinetry removal and wiring know-how - a project I'd probably mess-up - so not for now.
3) Oldwizard1 - Sorry - that was a mistake - please see note above. A new converter would require cabinetry removal and wiring expertise - which I don't have - so better to stay away from that. I do have a solar controller on each panel which I use.
4) Mrandyj - I have different sized battery boxes or can change to suit the right battery(s) Sorry - I made a mistake about the battery - see notes above. You're right it's LiFe If I can get away with one (really good) battery - I'll try that first and go into 'preserve' mode with electrics. Right-on with your suggestions about DC to DC and variable output controller - I'll do those things right away.
5) Toedtoes. Thank you - very helpful. Your suggestions are backed-up by above advice from others and please see my responses which address yours too
