I want to convert my 12 volt battery to twin 6 volt. Mounting one outside i.e. wheel well is out of the question. I built blocks in those areas to keep camper from sliding during off roading.The only other way I can see to keep the batteries in close proximity is to replace my folding foot stool with a homemade wooden battery box that would also double as the step.It will take up some floor space but I always camp solo in the TC so no big deal there. Don't care about resale wither.I would use AGM so no fumes.

I assume that one of the new 6V's will go where your original battery is in the photo above. Be careful to check size when you choose the new batteries. 6V batteries can be tall; I had to get a new battery box which did not fit into the former battery location. Also, one of my old 12V's lived under the hood and the new 6V was too tall for that space, so now both of them live under the couch and I lost a lot of inside storage space.

Only problem I see is, even with the battery in the EXACT location of the stool, you are partially blocking access to your converter and whatever that white doohickey is next to it, not to mention the access door to the truck bed.Sure you can get at them all but remember it's on the floor so even with full access it's inconvenient to begin with. You'll be adding inconvenience to inconvenience.

Yes it would work, but sure looks like without too much effort they would fit in the box with a bit of rework. -Turning batteries 90°. probably need to move pump over, -Adding in front I see several options- Hard to see what might be involved.Only thing that catches my eye is the water tank pump line, which a simple platform to raise, allow moving back against wall. Still might not be enough in front, but that false wall could be cut and moved out a few inches, keeping existing electrical intact. Need a new top.But a little more thought, as your using a stool seems building out might be advantageous, in day to day use, especially if it lives there a good deal of the time. A 'since your there' thing but not needed to add the battery. But it looks like moving the whole wall out to get room for battery.3-4"?

Because they are AGM, could you not mount them on end, side by side where the existing battery is? You could put the battery cable terminals toward the front of the TC, with a piece of Styrofoam between the battery and front wall, with the same strap concept you have to hold the batts against the wall. Considering the work involved to install the two 6-volt batteries, what will you gain? Wayne

From your pictures, I can not see a reasonably simple way to fit a second battery.But there does seem to be enough room to fit one, slightly bigger 12V battery without a lot of hassle. There are good 12V AGMs on the market, and it would be a simple drop-in solution.What is the estimated gain in amp hours you expect from your mod?

Would this work? (battery setup) | Good Sam Community

_DJ_1
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2014
805gregg wrote:
Sorry I didn't see your profile, no propane. If your solar panel won't keep up what good would more Amp Hrs make still going to run down. I have a similar refer in my boat, noisy and current sucking we use it for storage, and put our food in a 42 qt Engle, get a small Engle, our 60 watt panels keep up with the Engle for 2 weeks, no other power input needed

My truck charges while running down the road. Plus I have a Honda 2000 and a Schumacher battery charger when needed.

I also have a 45 qt Engel and it got so noisy after 1 year you can't stand to be near it.

I am not going to change out what I have. I am going to make this work or junk the whole thing!! :)
805gregg
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014
Sorry I didn't see your profile, no propane. If your solar panel won't keep up what good would more Amp Hrs make still going to run down. I have a similar refer in my boat, noisy and current sucking we use it for storage, and put our food in a 42 qt Engle, get a small Engle, our 60 watt panels keep up with the Engle for 2 weeks, no other power input needed
AnEv942
Nomad
Aug 07, 2014
~DJ~ wrote:
Holy Cow AnEv942!!!! That is very impressive!!!

I am definitely going to look into modding the cabinet.

I have another question. If two 6 volt batteries rated at 220 AH stay the same when doubled to 12 volt what happens when they are quadrupled?

Will 2 130 AH 12 volts double to 260? If so, it sounds like 2 12 volts would be better than 2 6 volts. :h

And as was brought up earlier, if 1 of the 6 volts fail I'm dead in the water but not so with twin 12 volts.

Ha...ah 18 volts @220?
What I would do IF i had room minus the weight is run 4 6's- But thats why I went with 2 12s. There are many pluses running 6s but only 2 ? I dunno, my leds might run on just one.

Ya your cabinet looks really simple to change-but get your tape out and make sure itll give you enough room.
DWeikert
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2014
~DJ~ wrote:
Holy Cow AnEv942!!!! That is very impressive!!!

I am definitely going to look into modding the cabinet.

I have another question. If two 6 volt batteries rated at 220 AH stay the same when doubled to 12 volt what happens when they are quadrupled?

Will 2 130 AH 12 volts double to 260? If so, it sounds like 2 12 volts would be better than 2 6 volts. :h

And as was brought up earlier, if 1 of the 6 volts fail I'm dead in the water but not so with twin 12 volts.

When you series batteries, you add the voltages but the AH rating stays the same. When you parallel batteries the voltage stays the same but you add AH ratings.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2014
Holy Cow AnEv942!!!! That is very impressive!!!

I am definitely going to look into modding the cabinet.

I have another question. If two 6 volt batteries rated at 220 AH stay the same when doubled to 12 volt what happens when they are quadrupled?

Will 2 130 AH 12 volts double to 260? If so, it sounds like 2 12 volts would be better than 2 6 volts. :h

And as was brought up earlier, if 1 of the 6 volts fail I'm dead in the water but not so with twin 12 volts.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 06, 2014
Just need a tape measure.

12" wall to converter, 15" tank to oven, 14" deep and you are golden.

http://usbattery.com/products/us-agm-batteries/us-agm-250/ ---- 260 Amp/hr

18" deep and you could go MONSTER with a pair of L-16

http://usbattery.com/products/us-agm-batteries/us-agm-l16/---- 390 Amp/hr
AnEv942
Nomad
Aug 06, 2014
~DJ~ wrote:
smkettner wrote:
What does the cabinet space measure without that battery box?
Sure looks like both would drop right in.

Maybe, if I removed the converter but I don't know where I would move it to.

I cant see what might preclude moving- wires not long enough or if it would be enough space or how much additional room you need, but theres a step in cabinet under stove, 3" rearward? You would need to swap around some of premounted stuff but simply cut the false wall and move it out. Just 1x1s and 1/8" paneling. Hardest part I see is reusing paneling and working with existing holes.
Cut wall reassemble with a piece of 1x4 and a few pieces of 1x1 or 1x2.Cut full height 1x4, attach 1x2 to its edge, reattach the face of moved panel to edge of 1x4 with the 1x2 behind original panel, reattach it.

But dont know if the 3" or so would give you room for another box. Pics may be deceiving, as other have noted, just looks like its close.

Only reason I could see not moving the wall (short of none of the wires would reach) is the stove right there. You might have to stand like Captain Morgan while flipping your hotcakes in the morning. Though would be less protrusive than an additional box?

Otherwise, except for the stove consideration, Id bump out- If it could be worked around, move some more stuff build a step. Likely would need new paneling or ply.

Then again Im looking at it from a few hundred miles away-probably have some horizon haze interfering with the view-looks simple from here, 'cause Im not seeing the details...
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2014
full_mosey wrote:
805gregg wrote:

Run it on propane

A Dometic 12V fridge does not use propane.

I have TWO CF 35s!; one as a fridge and the other as a freezer. I draw over 9A on 12V when both are running in 100F temps. I do like my ice cream.

HTH;
John

YES!! Someone else that GETS IT!!!! Only I like my beer at 33° not 50°!!!

I have had very poor luck with propane fridges in TC's. This is my 3rd one that does not perform satisfactorily. The big Dometic in my TT works great. Not so for these little ones they stuff into pop ups.
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2014
805gregg wrote:
joerg68 wrote:
~DJ~ wrote:
My 31 Trojan has 130 amp hours. The 6 volts have 225 EACH!!!

But the 225 amp hours are at 6V, meaning you can draw 1 amp from the battery for 225 hours at 6V.

For 12V, both batteries combined have 225 Ah together. Still not bad.

You don't add the two 225 amps when used in series, you still only have 225. A solar panel would keep the one original battery charged and be a better and lighter investment

So, if I used two 12 volt at 130 each would I get 260? I have 100 watt solar but doesn't work so good in the timber!!
bb_94401
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
My Lifeline AGM batteries take up ~ 11 x 15" of floor space under the seat cushions. Do you have room for one under the table seat in any orientation? Run wire back to the other battery in the existing location?

LifeLine GPL-4CT; Ah220; L=10.280, W=7.060, H=9.620; 66 lbs each.

Also plan on the room you need for the battery tie downs. I used a small battery tray, 7" x 11". The standard tie downs add 1" to the width of each side and 1-1/2" above the surface of the battery top. I made a tie down from a ratchet strap that spanned both batteries (1/2" piece of foam between batteries) that saved me some width, but gained some height.