Batteries: One or Two

[Mike484]

We just have one battery on our trailer. Since we will not be boondocking, and the only time we may be dependant on the battery is for an overnight (and we do have a generator), would there be much benefit for us to add a second battery?

[zuley]

My thoughts are if you are hooked up to power for the most part and have a genny for when you are not you should be good to go with a single battery. We use a dual set up but probably dry camp 50 percent of the time. I'm switching this year to a dual 6 volt system.

[mfifield01]

I've been thinking about adding a second battery, but haven't needed it yet. Most of the time, I'm at a site with electric. The time we boondocked, I just charged up my single battery with the generator in the morning. Based on voltage (multimeter), I had about 60% battery left after one night.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by Mike484

We just have one battery on our trailer. Since we will not be boondocking, and the only time we may be dependant on the battery is for an overnight (and we do have a generator), would there be much benefit for us to add a second battery?

A good single 12 volt is really all you need if you're only going to do the odd overnight stay depending solely on battery. Change all your lights to LED and that'll save you some battery power.
If you do upgrade then in my opinion going with 6 volt batteries are the way to go

[Mike484]

Still have to upgrade the exterior lighting to LED, all others have been changed.

[PerryB]

I second the opinion of dual 6 volts in series. The battery life is better than 12's in parallel , and the heater fan can suck down the amps pretty fast. If you ever did any boondocking you'd be glad you made the upgrade.

[Festus2]

If you rarely, if ever boondock, other than an overnight stay at Walmart for example, it doesn't make a lot of sense to switch over to dual 6 volts. The additional cost and weight of that system for an occasional one night boon docking stand isn't worth it IMO.

A good, well-maintained single 12 battery should suffice and if you do by chance "run out of battery", your generator is there to bail you out.

If you are considering doing some dry camping in the future, then it would be worth your while to seriously consider going the 2-6 volts route.

[chuckster57]

If you currently use a GP 24 battery, consider a single GP 29..they fit in the same box.

[theeyres]

When we used to dry camp a lot, two 6 volters were great. We now seldom dry camp but will occasionally do so and find that one battery is no problem overnight, even two nights if we are careful.

[darrylwt]

I went to 4 6 volt batteries and two 165 watt solar panels but I do 50% dry camping. My next addition will be a Go Power 3000 watt Inverter.

[audio1der]

Originally Posted by Festus2

If you rarely, if ever boondock, other than an overnight stay at Walmart for example, it doesn't make a lot of sense to switch over to dual 6 volts. The additional cost and weight of that system for an occasional one night boon docking stand isn't worth it IMO.

A good, well-maintained single 12 battery should suffice and if you do by chance "run out of battery", your generator is there to bail you out.

If you are considering doing some dry camping in the future, then it would be worth your while to seriously consider going the 2-6 volts route.

I echo this statement. I would wait until your 12V conks out, and replace with 2- 6's. We do a mix of power and dry camping, but love the freedom and peace of mind the 6's afford when we want it.

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by audio1der

I echo this statement. I would wait until your 12V conks out, and replace with 2- 6's. We do a mix of power and dry camping, but love the freedom and peace of mind the 6's afford when we want it.

Or if you have something else that conks out (boat battery) then move the one you have and go with 2 6v's.

The downside is the cost and a little bit more weight. Upside is piece of mind.

[SADLY]

I have four 12v batts.

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by Festus2

If you rarely, if ever boondock, other than an overnight stay at Walmart for example, it doesn't make a lot of sense to switch over to dual 6 volts. The additional cost and weight of that system for an occasional one night boon docking stand isn't worth it IMO.

A good, well-maintained single 12 battery should suffice and if you do by chance "run out of battery", your generator is there to bail you out.

If you are considering doing some dry camping in the future, then it would be worth your while to seriously consider going the 2-6 volts route.

Agree with Festus. If not on the dry, a healthy single is fine, enjoy your single for the quick stops and 12V power. Over the years with our different units, we went from single 12V, to double 12V and were fine. Then we started to enjoy slower travel and more dry use. Generator in the back of the TV served us very well for more power while stopped or behind the unit while boondocked. This year I did decide to upgrade the off-grid capability, ended with 4X 12V AGM (love the maint free) and 2000/4000 inverter. Now can turn off the converter and use inverter for all AC except the airconditioner. Have tested coffee maker, all fans, TV, microwave, laptops, basically everything but the airconditioner. For us, this allows lazy wake-up without going out and starting the generator while on the road and not worry about killing the battery bank for a few hours. It's all about amps and time.... It's definitely nice to know you have the power to fire-up the sat dish and TV and enjoy the AC devices while stopped! In our setup, all the AC plugs work with this configuration, just like being plugged into shore power or generator. Just our setup!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGdB-d0YlYs

[SADLY]

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