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05-30-2019, 06:01 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 31
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Should i add a battery or two?
2016 raptor with one battery and room for more. Should i add another or two and if so how easy is it?
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05-30-2019, 06:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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Adding batteries is very easy if you have the space to do it, which it appears that you do. The question I would ask is what type of camping do you do? If you always or almost always stay in parks with full hookups you probably don’t need more batteries. If you camp without electrical hookups for any length of time you may want to add more batteries.
The main thing you want to consider with your trailer battery is how many amp hours it has. Amp hours is how you measure stored energy. The battery you have in the picture is a hybrid deep cycle/starting battery so it probably has limited amp hours. It will say it somewhere on the battery. It probably has around 70 amp hours.
If you do want to add batteries you may want to consider replacing your current battery as well because all of your batteries should be the same type and age.
6v golf cart batteries generally have the most amp hours. A common upgrade is to install two 6v golf cart batteries in series to get the required 12v output. My two 6v golf cart batteries have 230 amp hours.
Or you could simply add another 12v battery to the one you have although it would probably be a relatively small improvement.
Edit-if you have an onboard generator you may want to keep the starter battery to start the generator.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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05-30-2019, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Should i add a battery or two?
If you add 12V battery’s, you can add any number in parallel and be ok.
If your adding 6V batteries, they must be in “ pairs” to make 12V and then ties together.
For example: 2 more 12V batteries for a total of 3.
All the positives are joined, all the negatives are joined. Trailer leads go to opposite ends.
If you use 6V batteries you have to use 2 or 4 or 6. Each pair is jumpered positive to negative ( like a flashlight) and then all the 12V positives are joined, all the 12V negatives are joined and again the trailer leads go on opposite ends.
Make sense?
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-30-2019, 07:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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The first picture is 6v batteries connected in series.
The second picture is 12v batteries connected in parallel.
Series adds the voltage together and the amp hours stay the same (6v + 6v =12v)
Parallel adds the amp hours together and leaves the voltage the same ( 4 100 amp hour 12v batteries = 400 amp hours)
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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05-31-2019, 03:07 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 31
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I do have a generator so i guess i should just stick with what i have.
Was just curious.
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05-31-2019, 04:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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You could add an identical battery (or 2 or 3) to your current set up and that would work.
Or I think you could keep your current battery for the generator and use a separate battery bank for house power.
But if you usually have hook ups, your probably ok with what you have.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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05-31-2019, 09:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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You asked should you add a battery, Yes. have 2 12v deep cycle batteries and a add a switch so you can use 1 or 2 or both. That way keep 1 for starting the genny when needed at a rest stop etc. The other to run the other stuff when you need power when not on shore power. That would be a minimum of power I would and have had with a genny in a RV.
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2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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06-01-2019, 03:51 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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I have a raptor as well, and we (currently) use 2 12v in parallel, but do not do much boondocking at all.
Just out of curiosity, what would be the issue with starting the Generator with 2 6v wired in series? Not enough CCA?
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-01-2019, 04:10 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Lansing
Posts: 37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kark0202
2016 raptor with one battery and room for more. Should i add another or two and if so how easy is it?
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It's a good, natural question and the answer depends on whether you've ever needed more battery than you have, just want a 'safety' factor, or whether you plan to boondock. It essentially boils down to, how do you use your rig?
You're just curious so I would recommend using that to read about how RV electrical systems work –including batteries– and then the upgrade choices available.
You ask a simple question but the answer can be quite involved if the goal is to have an RV outfitted for your needs without wasting money.
Some good links to start with (which I got from ppl here):
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/
GL
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06-01-2019, 07:51 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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The biggest 12 volt draw is the furnace, also the biggest LP hog, so if you can do without it your battery/batteries, & propane, will last much longer.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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06-01-2019, 08:06 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Ruckersville
Posts: 108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge
I have a raptor as well, and we (currently) use 2 12v in parallel, but do not do much boondocking at all.
Just out of curiosity, what would be the issue with starting the Generator with 2 6v wired in parallel? Not enough CCA?
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I assume that you meant 2 6v wired in series not parallel. I don’t see a problem with CCA with 6v batteries in series.
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06-01-2019, 08:11 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bostongone
I assume that you meant 2 6v wired in series not parallel. I don’t see a problem with CCA with 6v batteries in series.
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Sorry, yes, I've edited my mistake,thanks.
And that's what I thought, not a problem, I just was wondering what Logan X meant at the end of his post (#2)
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-01-2019, 08:34 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge
Sorry, yes, I've edited my mistake,thanks.
And that's what I thought, not a problem, I just was wondering what Logan X meant at the end of his post (#2)
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I was under the impression that a true deep cycle battery set up did not have enough cold cranking amps to be an effective starting battery.
I just did some quick research and it looks like the 6v batteries in series do have enough CCAs to start the generator although I did read some people had trouble using the 6v batteries to start a generator under extreme conditions, like very cold or repeated starting attempts.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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06-01-2019, 09:36 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan X
I was under the impression that a true deep cycle battery set up did not have enough cold cranking amps to be an effective starting battery.
I just did some quick research and it looks like the 6v batteries in series do have enough CCAs to start the generator although I did read some people had trouble using the 6v batteries to start a generator under extreme conditions, like very cold or repeated starting attempts.
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OK, thanks for clarifying that.
I had considered changing to 2 6v batteries once my 2 deep cycle 12v ones give up the ghost. With our on-board 6kv Onan, I may have to research that myself.
__________________
2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-01-2019, 01:32 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge
OK, thanks for clarifying that.
I had considered changing to 2 6v batteries once my 2 deep cycle 12v ones give up the ghost. With our on-board 6kv Onan, I may have to research that myself.
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Probably the easiest to manage solution to the potential for not enough CCA to start the generator (I really don't think you'd have a problem, but) would be to install a GP24 auto battery as a "dedicated generator start battery" and use a trickle charger to keep it charged . It would be a "separate and distinct dedicated battery" used only to start the generator. Since most generators don't have the capacity to recharge the starting battery, you'd need to either isolate it from the "golf cart battery system" or use a trickle charger. The easiest to install would be the trickle charger but adding "battery isolator systems" to prevent that GP24 from being discharged along with the main system (golf cart battery bank) is expensive, but possible.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-05-2019, 06:54 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 31
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Update
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06-06-2019, 09:43 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 306
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I would say the biggest reason to have a separate battery for Generator is if you run down house batteries (and trust me at some point you probably will) it will be too late to start the generator to recharge. If you keep it (somewhat) isolated then it can be started and recharge your house batteries.
__________________
2020 GMC 3500 Denali Dually Duramax 6.6
2013 Fuzion 342 ToyHauler (Ours)
2011 Harley Davidson Streetglide custom (Mine)
2012 Harley Davidson TriGlide (Trike) (Hers)
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06-06-2019, 03:41 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Alto
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge
I have a raptor as well, and we (currently) use 2 12v in parallel, but do not do much boondocking at all.
Just out of curiosity, what would be the issue with starting the Generator with 2 6v wired in series? Not enough CCA?
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Actually there is no problem starting the generator with golf cart batteries. Technically they are not starting batteries, and if you were starting a huge engine it could be a problem, but in this case it's not a problem. I've owned sailboats for 30+ years and have used golf cart batteries to start a 52 horsepower diesel engine for as many years.
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06-17-2019, 04:17 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Santa Rosa
Posts: 65
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Since you have a Toy Hauler, you probably boondock quite a bit. Consider your batteries as your gas tank. The more amp hours you have, the less you will need to run the generator. As others have stated, the 6 volt batteries will give you the most amp hours. Also consider the battery type as type 24, 27,31. Then decide whether you want flooded or AGM. AGM require the least maintenance. All depends on $$$$. Check out Trojan Batteries, USA Batteries, and Battleborn Batteries.
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