extra battery

[moonraker]

how do you wire in a second battery in a 2008 jayco greyhawk 31 ss

[easyryder01]

If you go to the battery tender web site it has multiple versions of wireings of multiple batteries whether in series or otherwise.

[donberg]

Why would you require an extra battery. I am new to Jayco and was wondering if I can learn what an extra battery will do.

Don
Wife: Barbara
Dogs: Dillon
Annie
Toad: 2008 Vue

[Denise]

Hi DonBerg We don't have a MH so can't comment on extra battery there but welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum!

[OurJayco]

donberg,
In a motorhome, you have "House batteries" and you have the normal battery used to start the vehicle.
Some motorhomes use two - six batteries as "House Batteries".
Depending on how they are wired, you will get longer time running your interior lights, microwave, fridge etc, etc......
You will still have 12 volts DC power, but more current or power to use accessories longer.
You can do the same in any trailer. If you do a lot of "Boondocking" or "Dry Camping", you will want to have more than one battery because you are not connected to shore power.
If you would like more details, please PM me. I can give you more info.
Former electrician and currently an electronics technician.

[Northwest Bob]

We wired in an extra 12 volt house battery in parallel with the existing one. Bought the same brand and ampere hour battery to make them equally yoked. Before the second battery, we had a hard time making it through the night with the heater on and the fan motor blowing. This was when we were not on shore power.

[drmike961]

Always good to have a second 12 volt battery in parallel, especially if you dry camp and have slides. Unfortunately the new battery tray (on mine) only holds another group 24, and 6 volt golf cart batteries are too tall to put in series. My stainless nut was galled on and had to be cut off, forcing me to destroy the threaded post and buy 2 new batteries. Be ready just in case.

[jeffro01]

My 2019 Greyhawk 30X came with two short 12v battery cables (positive and negative) which I am assuming is for someone who wants to add a second house battery and I have room under my step for a second one of like size/capacity as the current one. What I didn't see in the Jayco manual, and hence my question, is it's been awhile since I've wired up batteries so could someone refresh my memory or point me to a website that would show me how to do this in parallel correctly? Would hate to screw it up and double the voltage by accident...

Thanks,
Jeff

[Siamese]

Assuming you have the room for it, it's a simple process. Your options are a second 12v battery that you wire in parallel, or ditch the 12v and go with a pair of 6v golf car batteries wired in series (creating a 12v battery bank).

Of the two options, the 6v in series is the better choice.

A bad option would be to add another 12v to your existing battery. The two batteries you use should be identical, and have the same date of manufacture. Otherwise, put rather simply, the weaker of the two batteries will degrade your bank.

Wiring diagrams for the above two options are available online with a quick search.

Two 12v batteries in parallel.......two 6v batteries in series

[jeffro01]

Roger that, thanks!

Jeff

[shw]

YEP- i have investigated the need for an extra house battery for my 2019 melborne, under the stair also have room for another like sized battery---there are good videos about that on you-tube. some are elementary but that is what i like do not want move DC than i cn handle-want more amps hours to see with.
SHW

[dergar]

I too have a 2019 Greyhawk (29MVP) with the 2 heavy gauge Jayco provided jumpers to connect another battery. Jayco moved to an entrance step battery storage from the previous battery compartment near the shore power connection. I think it was a running 2019 change as I have seen 2019s both ways. Does anyone know if two Group 31 batteries will fit in this step storage? Seriously considering moving to two 12V AGMs connected in parallel versus the single wet plate Group 24. Thanks !

[Bullitt6283]

I have a 2016 Greyhawk 29MV. The original single Group 27 12 volt battery was grossly inadequate for any boondocking. I was getting low-voltage alarms from the fridge over a single night (fridge running on propane).
The existing battery tray could hold only one battery. I appropriated and reinforced the adjacent storage compartment and installed two Lifeline 6 volt AGM batteries for a capacity of 300Ah. As a bonus, the existing battery cables reached the new position.

Now I can run everything through the night, take our morning showers, and run the television and satellite dish all day and not even get the batteries down to 80%. Running the generator for a couple hours in the evening gets them ready for the next day.


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