CampMacD
Rough & Ready, CA
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Joined: 10/31/2007
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We have a TT that we purchased last year and have taken out several times this year.
At the time of purchase we told the dealership we expected to do a fair amount of dry camping - and they recommended adding a 2nd deep cycle marine battery. What they installed are cheap Chinese knock-offs that appear to be 55ah each. We added a 110w solar panel and a Sunforce Charge controler (which failed and needed to be replaced).
We added a 30 amp service at our trailer pad so that we could charge our batteries in the days leading up to a trip.
Each trip so far our batteries drop their voltage quickly - even when using minimal lighting, little water, and not using the furnace. We started using a Mr. Heater Buddy to warm the TT interior at bed time and again in the AM as we wake up.
I believe that batteries are complete garbage meant for TT's that are headed to a full hook up park and little more.
What battery set up can we fit onto our tongue that will dramatically improve our situation - with out needing to modify the tongue again for an even larger battery rack? Are AGM batteries worth thier costs?
Your advise will be greatly appreciated!!!
Dennis
Dennis, Marni (DW), Son (2)
Rough & Ready, CA
2002 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab 4WD
2008 Trail-Cruiser TC26RKS
Prodigy Brake Control
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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RV Batteries
Hope this helps.
93 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel, DRW, Crew Cab. PullRite Hitch. 90 Nomad 28' 5er, 375 Watts Solar, 2800 Watt Yamaha Generator, 1750 Watt Inverter, 4 Trogan T105 Batteries, Spare tire and wheel and folding ladder. Me, wife and 2 spoiled Maltise furkids.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Dennis, your best bet is two 6 volt golf batteries. They are an inch taller but have the same footprint as a group 24 12volt battery. The pair will provide 220 to 232 amp hours compared to the 110 combined you have now. They should fit in the space you have now. You just connect them in series instead of parallel. Many Costco and Sam's club carry them at a good price, call first. Actually at 55 amp hours that seems like a small Optima or possibly a starting battery.
AGM has benefits but does not increase capacity so I do not recommend them since your primary need is capacity.
12 volt side of life
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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I wasn't aware that them made deep cycle batteries that were 55 amphour. as stated, maybe they were starting batteries. No AGM are not worth the extra IMHO. I would try two new decent 12 volt batteries myself, but trying to run a furnace fan for more than overnight might be a problem.
see related thread "Heating with no Electricity?????? "
bumpy
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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EWA:IT&ih=004">AGM's are not that expensive and should last 2 or 3 times longer BUT you have to lower the charging voltage from the solar charger which is doable, but doubt your cheap TT charger is adjustable so 2 Sam's 6V golf cart batteries would be my first choice as you can replace the water that will be boiled out.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
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profdant139
Southern California
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Joined: 11/14/2005
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I installed two Costco group 27s on my tongue (actually on the trailer's tongue). Each has 110 amp hours. So far, so good! I can go for four or five days of dry camping on each battery. When the first one drops to 12.1 volts, I switch them out. I think that 6 volt batteries are better but more expensive.
The other trick is to keep them charged when not camping -- I really like my Batteryminder Plus. Easy to use and it works.
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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We can ramble on forever if Dennis does not tell us we helped.
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CSG
ID
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profdant, why not hook the two batteries together in parallel? I use those batteries in my Class B but have them hooked together. Am I missing something?
2001 GMC EC 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0 V8
2007 Nash 27-5B
2002 Pleasure-Way Traverse
1990 Lance Squire 4000
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cewillis
Tucson, az, usa
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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Here is another option - if you have the room and the $. 135 AH AGM
Two of them is series provides 270 AH. One is better than 2 of your existing ones.
As you can see, they have less stringent requirements.
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Ahab
Oracle, Az.
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Joined: 06/23/2005
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CampMacD wrote:We have a TT that we purchased last year and have taken out several times this year.
At the time of purchase we told the dealership we expected to do a fair amount of dry camping - and they recommended adding a 2nd deep cycle marine battery. What they installed are cheap Chinese knock-offs that appear to be 55ah each. We added a 110w solar panel and a Sunforce Charge controler (which failed and needed to be replaced).
We added a 30 amp service at our trailer pad so that we could charge our batteries in the days leading up to a trip.
Each trip so far our batteries drop their voltage quickly - even when using minimal lighting, little water, and not using the furnace. We started using a Mr. Heater Buddy to warm the TT interior at bed time and again in the AM as we wake up.
I believe that batteries are complete garbage meant for TT's that are headed to a full hook up park and little more.
What battery set up can we fit onto our tongue that will dramatically improve our situation - with out needing to modify the tongue again for an even larger battery rack? Are AGM batteries worth thier costs?
Your advise will be greatly appreciated!!!
Dennis
Hmmm, we have a Interstate Grp29 which has lasted for more than 5 days under more or less the same conditions for winter camping. We do use LED's, minimal water pump use, and turn on the furnace only in the morning to take off the chill. Sleeping bags are the norm. Summer camping gives more leeway.
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