2nd Battery?

[jbwjbw]

So I have a few weeks before I'm able to pick up my X20E. I asked the dealer if there was a way to mount a 2nd battery. I was told "there is not enough room on the "A" frame to add a second battery on the X20E model".

So my question is, has anyone come up with a unique way to add a 2nd battery to a X20E TT or similar size camper that does not allow or have room for a 2nd battery?

I'll be camping at a few campgrounds without electric hook ups this summer and would feel a lot better if I had a 2nd battery.

Thanks,

- Justin

[Rustic Eagle]

If two batteries can't fit "within" the A-frame, see if there is room to add battery supports "across" the top of the A-frame and mount two batteries to them. Just have to check for any interferences with LP tanks, tongue jack, or front of HTT.

The only issue is that any modifications you make to the HTT frame may void future warranty issues should they arise.

The modification will work, have seen a couple of them on both TT's and HTT's.

Bob

[29BHS ECO]

jbwjbw-- you might try stacking them, although that would require an electric tongue jack.

[RustyFairmount]

Originally Posted by jbwjbw

I was told "there is not enough room on the "A" frame to add a second battery on the X20E model".

You could bring a second battery and connect with booster cables, or swap it if/when battery #1 dies.

Or, why not install it in the forward storage compartment? Depending on where the X20E power panel is, you could either run the leads to the panel, or run the leads forward to the primary battery. Neither would require cutting the existing electrical, so I'd bet you'd be OK with warranty.

Note the other posts regarding batteries. Lots of good advice from people more experienced than me.

[FoCoNoCo]

Originally Posted by RustyFairmount

You could bring a second battery and connect with booster cables, or swap it if/when battery #1 dies.

Or, why not install it in the forward storage compartment? Depending on where the X20E power panel is, you could either run the leads to the panel, or run the leads forward to the primary battery. Neither would require cutting the existing electrical, so I'd bet you'd be OK with warranty.

Note the other posts regarding batteries. Lots of good advice from people more experienced than me.

OK, so I'm not an experienced RV'er, but I can tell you that if you mount a battery in a storage compartment, it MUST be vented to outside and sealed off from the inside. Batteries release hydrogen, and we all know what concentrated hydrogen can do - think Hindenburg here.....(though I doubt the concentration could get THAT high, it's still a danger)

[Denise]

Originally Posted by FoCoNoCo

OK, so I'm not an experienced RV'er, but I can tell you that if you mount a battery in a storage compartment, it MUST be vented to outside and sealed off from the inside. Batteries release hydrogen, and we all know what concentrated hydrogen can do - think Hindenburg here.....(though I doubt the concentration could get THAT high, it's still a danger)

This is why I like this forum! Informative! I just asked Don if you would have to worry about putting a certain battery in the storage compartment. He said YUP! Hindenberg! Ya see, someone like me (electronically challenged!) appreciates learning these things! Great thread. Thanksfor posting

[Terry]

They do make sealed batteries (AGM) that can be stored and charged inside compartments; however they are quite expensive. A 90-100 Ah battery is somewhere around $250.

I dont camp without power very often, but I keep one of those jump start/charge packs with me. It has a 20 Ah battery in it and I have used it as "emergency" power when my TT battery is depleted. I have a plug that allows me to charge it in my car, so I can keep it topped of when driving around as well. It wont run the furnace very long, but at least gets a few lights, fridge electronics, and the water pump going.

If you are running in the summer (no furnace), you can go quite a while on that single battery if you are careful and conserve. Also - not sure what kind of TV you have, but make sure your +12 line is powered (sometimes requires installing a fuse). You can always start your car and run it for a while each day. It wont come close to fully recharging your battery, but will help. It is always good to know that if you totally run out of battery, you have a way to get some power by using your TV.

Let us know how it goes!

[tslarson]

Hot rod builders often use a battery box call a "drop out battery box" I plan to soon mount one of these to the frame of my 23J towards the rear. It bolts to the frame, and then lowers down for battery installation, then raises back up into the frame. On my trailer I believe there is just enough room beween the frame and the side skirting for it to fit. I do mostly boondock camping, this will be my 3rd battery. I have two group 24's mounted on my "A" frame.
Follow the link below, or search for drop out battery box. The $110.00 price is a little spendy. http://www.google.com/#q=drop+out+ba...w=1259&bih=606

[RustyFairmount]

Originally Posted by FoCoNoCo

OK, so I'm not an experienced RV'er, but I can tell you that if you mount a battery in a storage compartment, it MUST be vented to outside and sealed off from the inside. Batteries release hydrogen, and we all know what concentrated hydrogen can do - think Hindenburg here.....(though I doubt the concentration could get THAT high, it's still a danger)

Thanks for clarification!

[kjohn73]

http://jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=2516

Take a look at the second battery job I did on my 197.

[jbwjbw]

Originally Posted by kjohn73

http://jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=2516

Take a look at the second battery job I did on my 197.

Nice,

- Justin

[rhand63]

Just upgraded to dual batteries on our new 19H. Used the existing battery tray, bent the sides flat and built a subframe out of 1 1/2" angle aluminum, riveting each corner together. Wired in parallel of course and works great. Let me know if you'd like additional pictures of the frame, would be happy to share...

Great forum, look forward to sharing and learning!
Rick

[Rustic Eagle]

Rick,

Welcome to the Jayco forums.

Great looking dual battery upgrade. If you get a chance you may want to provide a little write-up with pics over in the Jayco Mods section of the forum.

On Edit: Just caught your post in the "Mods" forum.

Bob

[Larry2C]

I'm joining the party a little late but here's the dual battery mod I did - along with battery cut off switch. I don't have a welder so I created the frame from 1 1/4" aluminum angle and 3/8" aluminum tread plate. It is held together with self tapping screws.

The cables are from the auto parts store - starter motor cables

[Rustic Eagle]

Larry,

Welcome to the Jayco forums, and nice job on the twin battery mod. I suggested the same mod to the OP in an earlier post because he didn't have room within his A-frame for two batteries.

I went to two 6V deep cycle batteries myself earlier this year: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=2752

Feel free to add your mod in the "Jayco Mods" forum with some detail on your upgrade process, may help others with similar units.

Bob

[Crabman]

Larry, are they Group 24 or 27 Deep Cycle batteries? Look like 24 from the pics, but not sure.
On edit I see this is your first post, so welcome to the forum! You can do an intro if you like in the new member forum.

[jbwjbw]

Originally Posted by Larry2C

I'm joining the party a little late but here's the dual battery mod I did - along with battery cut off switch. I don't have a welder so I created the frame from 1 1/4" aluminum angle and 3/8" aluminum tread plate. It is held together with self tapping screws.

Very nice!

I've not added a 2nd battery yet, thankfully with swapping all my inside lights with LEDs, my battery is lasting longer then I had expected, giving me more running time! Once I get to doing some longer trips without electricity, I'm sure I'll need to do the same thing you did.

- Justin

[Wolverine]

Since this is my first year with my 19H. What are the reasons you would go to a dual battery set-up ????

[Terry]

The reason to go with more than one battery is to increase the run time in the camper when you are away from shore power. If you rarely boondock (camp without hookups), then your single battery will serve you just fine - but if you like to get out and camp away from it all - multiple batteries will allow you to run your camper for longer periods of time.

[Derek700]

We had 2 6 volt batteries installed on our trailer when we bought it.