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05-11-2013, 03:19 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 12
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Dual battery question
I have the battery out of my old trailer and room for it on my new one. The new battery is smaller than my old one. Is it ok to wire two different size battery's in parallel. New trailer one is a interstate group 24, 405 CCA, 505 MCA dual purpose marine/RV installed by dealer. New old battery is ever start (Walmart) group 29, 845 MCA, 122 Ah.
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05-11-2013, 03:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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It'll work, and be better than either one on its own, but not as good as two identical batteries. The "new" battery probably isn't that great to begin with so start planning on what matched pair you'll get next.
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-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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05-11-2013, 05:03 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 12
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Thanks. What would you suggest I start planning for? I would like to have 2 group 29's but they won't fit without hanging over the sides of the tongue. What makes two identical ones better? Would 2 group 24's be better than what I have? Will having 1 battery with more CCA,MCA,Ah tied to a lesser battery be in some way over power the lesser one? Sorry just don't want to have a melt down on my week old unit.
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05-11-2013, 05:58 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Here
Posts: 313
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You should make sure both batteries are charged before you wire them in parallel. If one is charged and the other is fairly discharged there will be a heavy current surge from the charged battery to the other one.
__________________
2012 Passport GT 3100RK
Previous Campers:
2010 Trailmanor 2720SL
2003 R-Vision Traillite
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05-11-2013, 06:02 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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I don't think you need to worry about a battery "melt down" having two dissimilar batteries hooked up in parallel. If they were in series, such as two 6volts, that would create a problem.
While not an optimum situation, you should be okay. The only problem could be some difficulty in that they will have different charging set points but as long as you keep both batteries fully charged, you will be fine.
At the appropriate time, I would suggest pairing them up so that they are identical both in brand and in capacity.
Relax, you will have a great holiday.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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05-11-2013, 07:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Reedsport
Posts: 322
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Theory has it that two 12v batteries wired in parallel will go bad quicker that 2 6v golf cart batteries wired in series. The two 12v ones will end up unbalanced and will deteriorate. And golf cart batteries should fit in the same space. If you dry camp a lot 2/6v is the way to go.
__________________
2007 Keystone Cougar 243RKS
2019 Ford F150 S/Crew ECOBoost
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05-11-2013, 07:39 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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BulletOwner1 -
I may be wrong but I thought it was the other way around in this one aspect ----- If you have 2 - 6volts in series that are of different types and specs, charging may be problematic. One will become fully charged before the other or one will get overcharged while the other is undercharged.
One disadvantage of having 2 6 volts is that, if for whatever reason, one happens to fail, you are hooped since having a single 6 volt battery isn't going to cut it.
But I agree, the only way to go if you are doing a significant amount of dry camping is to go with 6 volts --- and take good care of them! We have 2 Trojans and they are work horses!
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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05-11-2013, 08:31 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 782
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If you don't do much dry camping, one battery is fine. If you are planning on dry camping, go with the two 6v. I did that on my former trailer and the difference was amazing. That's what I am planning to do with my current trailer.
__________________
Earl
2007 33.5' Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel used for full-timing for several years--now sold
2011 Hideout 23RKSWE that we now use for poking around local parks
2007 Chevy 3/4 ton diesel with Prodigy Brake Control
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05-12-2013, 06:12 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SWTN
Posts: 32
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THEE problem with 2 older, different batteries in parallel is that one will be a much healthier battery than the other. Once connected they will equalize - Unfortunately the better battery will be pulled down to the lesser battery's condition. IF the lesser battery has a shorted cell (for example) it will kill your good battery eventually....
Either go with two new, identical batteries - OR - install both of your batteries but only connect the negative posts together. If your *primary battery* is depleted with no way to charge it (i.e. dry camping) then switch the positive wire over to the secondary battery and make plans to charge the other in the near future.
__________________
'07 Laredo
'05 F-250 Diesel TT
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