Adding a 2nd battery to Jay Feather Sport 165

[noserub]

Hey gang,

Has anyone ever added 2 6v batteries to a small ultra light trailer? I have a 2006 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165 and it currently only has 1 group 24 12v battery. We have a 95w solar panel hooked up to it which works really well when it's sunny But I wouldn't mind the extra capacity for those cloudy days when we are off the grid .

It looks like space is going to be really tight. I was wondering if anyone else has looked into doing this on such a small trailer without permanently modifying the frame? I talked to an RV repair shop about it and they were planning on welding a new battery tray onto the frame, which could be an option.

I'm slightly worried about the tongue weight with 2 batteries on such a light weight trailer. The TV should be ok with the calculations I've done, I think. My TV max tongue weight is 650lbs / 6500lbs max towing capacity. Max trailer weight is 3500 wet/loaded.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Cheers!

[Ustabslim]

First, two 6 volt will work and the extra weight should be no problem.
But...why do two 6 volt?? If one goes bad your screwed. Why not just use two 12 volt deep cycle. Use a perko switch so you can switch between the two. That way you always have the extra power if needed or if one goes bad your still good. Switching your camper bulbs out to LED will increase the life of your battery tons. On those cloudy days you can hook camper to your truck and let idle for 30 min to charge battery.

[Seann45]

2-6's give more usable amp hours than 2-12's sheriff..
Weight will not be a problem with 2 batteries on the tongue..

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by noserub

snip...... I'm slightly worried about the tongue weight with 2 batteries on such a light weight trailer.......

With the limited CCC of the Sport 165, and the associated weight limits of the Tacoma, one's personal loading habits can make the difference.

To eliminate any worry and make your decision with confidence, visit a CAT scale. I realize we are only talking about an additional 100lbs, but if your overweight going into the process it may influence your decision. The CAT info will tell you everything you need to know.

CAT scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3871

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

snip......
But...why do two 6 volt?? If one goes bad your screwed. Why not just use two 12 volt deep cycle.....snip

Technically a true statement....., but at least in my travels I haven't heard of this happening, and I haven't run across a statistical failure rate of one 6V in a matched pair either.

Just thinking out loud here

Bob

[SecretCoveDave]

We've had 2 -6volts for 4 years. OK, so far.

Touch wood.

[Ustabslim]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Technically a true statement....., but at least in my travels I haven't heard of this happening, and I haven't run across a statistical failure rate of one 6V in a matched pair either.

Just thinking out loud here

Bob

I guess it's from my Eagle Scout days...Be Prepared. If I was going to run a series of battery's to run a large inverter, which I have done in the past, it would be the 6 volt. But in this case I think 2 12's are better. He could always just carry the spare in the truck bed. Bring fully charged.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

snip..... He could always just carry the spare in the truck bed. Bring fully charged.

..... simple solution.

Bob

[Mustang65]

If you do not perform proper maintenance and monitor your batteries, then I would say that there is a good chance of a battery going dead without warning. Batteries will let you know if something is not going right. The killers are corroded connections, improper charging, low water levels, cells going bad, temperature of the battery, constant charging, filling with wrong water, draining the batteries below 50%, to many times, trying to get extra life out of a batter(s) that have exceeded their 1000 life-cycles (does not hold a charge for as long as before).. the list goes on.

I have yet had anyone tell me that they lost a 6 volt battery, when proper maintenance has been performed. I am 18 months into my 1000 life cycles (about 1/2 way), and they are performing as designed.

Maintenance and monitoring are the key factors.

Just my thoughts,
Don

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

We've had 2 -6volts for 4 years. OK, so far.

Touch wood.

6 years on mine ... they are starting to get a little weak but I expect them to last another year at least.

[noserub]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

With the limited CCC of the Sport 165, and the associated weight limits of the Tacoma, one's personal loading habits can make the difference.

To eliminate any worry and make your decision with confidence, visit a CAT scale. I realize we are only talking about an additional 100lbs, but if your overweight going into the process it may influence your decision. The CAT info will tell you everything you need to know.

CAT scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3871

Bob

Yes, that is a part of my concern since we do have limited capacity on both the trailer and TV. Thanks for the info Bob! It looks like I have a CAT scale within a couple of miles at a 7-11 (?) so I'll look into that.

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

I guess it's from my Eagle Scout days...Be Prepared. If I was going to run a series of battery's to run a large inverter, which I have done in the past, it would be the 6 volt. But in this case I think 2 12's are better. He could always just carry the spare in the truck bed. Bring fully charged.

I've thought about that but for some reason thought I needed to have a more complex and integrated solution ...maybe not... it is a dead simple solution without worrying about the extra weight...good idea.

[killerdoberman]

I was thinking of the same thing for my 30DSQB, but instead when with 2x12 volt 24 series. I also carry an extra 12 volt 27 series battery in my truck that I use for tailgating at the lake for some tunes, phone charger, etc. when we aren't near the trailer.

Two things kept from converting.

1. Price. $380 just for the 2 6 volt batteries, compared to $120 battery plus $40 for the hardware to install. Especially since my battery on the trailer is only 3 months old.

2. Now this sounds kind of weird, but I couldn't find a box that would fit the 6 volt batteries, and still fit in the space allowed on the tongue of the trailer. So I would need a custom fit box...which is more $$$ in for the extended battery life.

[Ustabslim]

Originally Posted by killerdoberman

I was thinking of the same thing for my 30DSQB, but instead when with 2x12 volt 24 series. I also carry an extra 12 volt 27 series battery in my truck that I use for tailgating at the lake for some tunes, phone charger, etc. when we aren't near the trailer.

Two things kept from converting.

1. Price. $380 just for the 2 6 volt batteries, compared to $120 battery plus $40 for the hardware to install. Especially since my battery on the trailer is only 3 months old.

2. Now this sounds kind of weird, but I couldn't find a box that would fit the 6 volt batteries, and still fit in the space allowed on the tongue of the trailer. So I would need a custom fit box...which is more $$$ in for the extended battery life.

The 6 volt batteries are less than $90 each at SAMs club. I just put 6 new ones in my wife's golf cart.