View Full Version : Installing dual batteries
Ncamilli
04-28-2016, 02:42 PM
I am considering installing dual batteries on my Fuzion 371. It is supposed to be prewired for dual batteries. Looking in the battery compartment, I see two sets of wires that connect to the battery now. I think I can just use the one set in the blue wire loom and run down to the second battery. Is this correct?
spicercars
04-28-2016, 04:33 PM
One set of wires is for the camper and the other is for the generator. If you install two batteries you will have to get two short wires to connect the batteries together. Depending on if you dry camp much if you hook both batteries together and run them low you cant start the generator. I put three batteries in mine because we dry camp a lot and the third battery is hooked to the generator only so if the camper batteries are low the generator will still start.
Ncamilli
04-28-2016, 05:57 PM
Thank you for the info. Very helpful
BlueknightWI
04-29-2016, 05:06 AM
Read your owners' manual for sure. Hooking two batteries in series vs. in _________? I forget the other term. One way will work great but the other way could fry your mother board. I'm not electrically inclined, so I just left mine with one at this point. We never dry camp anyhow, so not an issue for us.
jsmith948
04-29-2016, 05:48 AM
If you are installing two 12 volt batteries, they should be connected in PARALLEL (positive to positive, negative to negative).
If you are installing 6 volt golf cart batteries, they should be connected in SERIES (positive to negative).
Also, if you are going with 12 volt, I would not just add a battery to the existing one. I would install two new, identical batteries.
denverpilot
04-30-2016, 02:40 PM
If you are installing two 12 volt batteries, they should be connected in PARALLEL (positive to positive, negative to negative).
If you are installing 6 volt golf cart batteries, they should be connected in SERIES (positive to negative).
Also, if you are going with 12 volt, I would not just add a battery to the existing one. I would install two new, identical batteries.
This covers it.
HANGAR
05-02-2016, 08:37 AM
If you are installing two 12 volt batteries, they should be connected in PARALLEL (positive to positive, negative to negative).
If you are installing 6 volt golf cart batteries, they should be connected in SERIES (positive to negative).
Also, if you are going with 12 volt, I would not just add a battery to the existing one. I would install two new, identical batteries.
Excellent advice - Start with two new batteries (same make & model) or you will encounter problems. I'd recommend using two 6V in series.
Face Down
05-03-2016, 07:44 AM
Excellent advice - Start with two new batteries (same make & model) or you will encounter problems. I'd recommend using two 6V in series.
When I had my previous camper we went to a lot of Nascar races in the fall/spring months and needed 2 batteries to keep the heater blower running all night. I bought two 6V golf cart batteries and they lasted 9 years.
http://www.familymotorsports.com/selfhelp/batterywiringdiagram/Battery%20Connections%20-%202x6VoltinSeries.gif
Don't do many Nascar races anymore and if we do they are in the summer (miss Rockingham) so for my new Carbon the one 12v will do.
Desert185
05-04-2016, 05:50 PM
Since purchasing the RZR we intend to do more dry camping. Two, 6v golf cart batteries (probably from Costco) are on the agenda. I'm researching a battery box (or two singles from Etrailer) right now, if anyone has any suggestions.
JRTJH
05-04-2016, 07:14 PM
This is the battery box we bought when we bought the Cougar. It has been a good investment for us, but as battery boxes go, I'm sure there are cheaper ones available.
http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM426-Commercial-Automotive-Batteries/dp/B003VAUG5A?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Desert185
05-04-2016, 09:35 PM
This is the battery box we bought when we bought the Cougar. It has been a good investment for us, but as battery boxes go, I'm sure there are cheaper ones available.
http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM426-Commercial-Automotive-Batteries/dp/B003VAUG5A?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
I was looking at that one today. :)
HANGAR
05-13-2016, 01:43 PM
Here is my setup with dual 6V Lifeline AGM batteries. These are the GPL-6CT units rated at 300Ah each. Running two of these in series gives me 12V at 300Ah. This would be similar to running three Group 27 12V batteries. A 12V Group 27 battery gives you around 100Ah, so if you ran three of these in parallel it would give you 300Ah at 12V. These AGM batteries are rock solid and I've never had a problem with them. A great worry-free investment if you can afford them!
Desert185
05-13-2016, 04:21 PM
Here is my setup with dual 6V Lifeline AGM batteries. These are the GPL-6CT units rated at 300Ah each. Running two of these in series gives me 12V at 300Ah. This would be similar to running three Group 27 12V batteries. A 12V Group 27 battery gives you around 100Ah, so if you ran three of these in parallel it would give you 300Ah at 12V. These AGM batteries are rock solid and I've never had a problem with them. A great worry-free investment if you can afford them!
I looked at those for $350 each vs Costco for $83 each. A five year warranty vs a two year warranty. I took the low road and plan to use my generator...and I can afford them. :)
One set of wires is for the camper and the other is for the generator. If you install two batteries you will have to get two short wires to connect the batteries together. Depending on if you dry camp much if you hook both batteries together and run them low you cant start the generator. I put three batteries in mine because we dry camp a lot and the third battery is hooked to the generator only so if the camper batteries are low the generator will still start.
How do you keep the generator battery charged?
Also on my 371 there was room on the top shelf to put 2 6 volt batteries side by side. factory gen and reg cable were long enough, just had to make up a short jumper to connect both batteries together.
jje1960
05-16-2016, 01:06 PM
I am considering installing dual batteries on my Fuzion 371. It is supposed to be prewired for dual batteries. Looking in the battery compartment, I see two sets of wires that connect to the battery now. I think I can just use the one set in the blue wire loom and run down to the second battery. Is this correct?
I would suggest seeking advice on how to upgrade with your specific requirements. You have a single battery now, upgrading with either parallel or series is always dependent on personal choice within space constraints. Good info provided in earlier posts. Your post does imply that you need more advice, please consider all options be.fore you part with your hard earned cash! Do you wish to maintenance the batteries or would you rather just install and forget? Many questions of how many AH are in your plan need to be considered. You can install series connected 6V Batteries from Costco, give you many AH's of use, however you need to maintenance them. Or, you can spend more and install 12 AGM and have AH's of maintenance free use at a higher cost. Many choices for sure. After years of RV'ing, we've gone for the AGM's, however you're needs may be very different.
MontanaMike
05-17-2016, 08:00 AM
How do you keep the generator battery charged?
I'd like to know that too?
Desert185
05-17-2016, 08:13 AM
How do you keep the generator battery charged?
An Odyssey PC680, or equivalent, with a Battery Tender Plus connected to AC? I'm thinking there's no need for the weight of even a Group 24 battery for the generator.
Richard Noble
05-18-2016, 12:46 PM
Cosco good, Walmart bad. I tried to use Walmart's deep-cycle batteries, they are pieces of crap. Crap is a scientific term for bad.
Desert185
05-18-2016, 06:28 PM
This is the battery box we bought when we bought the Cougar. It has been a good investment for us, but as battery boxes go, I'm sure there are cheaper ones available.
http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM426-Commercial-Automotive-Batteries/dp/B003VAUG5A?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
Bought the Noco box (quality box and just over $50) and two 6v GC batts from Costco. Easy install. Just had to lengthen one 10ga ground wire.
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