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Old 04-15-2014, 08:18 PM   #1
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single to dual batteries

Just got our new fiver home, It only has one battery in an enclosed box. has anybody figured out a way to go to dual batteries? doesn't look like two batteries will fit in that area unless I could have a rack to stack them.

even if I could find room for two, will the trailer charger keep both charged and work as it should.
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Old 04-15-2014, 08:38 PM   #2
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Welcome to JOF

For discussion reference, what year/model FW do you have?

If possible, feel free to post a pic showing your existing battery space.

Bob
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:38 AM   #3
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Your major hurdle will be the mounting of the battery. The cabling is easy, just have to hook it up to the other battery in parallel, that is + terminal to + terminal and - terminal to - terminal.
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:49 AM   #4
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from your profile it looks like you have a 2013 Eagle HT 26.5RLS, and stock internet photos also look like you have split front compartments, with the small one being the power room (?)

Make adding batteries in a small space tough to do.

Kent is correct - batteries in Parallel

The Converter/charger will do just fine because the draw that you place on the batteries will be split across the two batteries instead of just one, and therefore you still have used the same # of amps, only used half from each battery, instead of all from a single battery.

Once you go to 2 batteries, you will be able to run longer between charges, and if you do, it will take that much longer to recharge the combined battery array

I just recently went from 2 batteries up to 4 and added solar, etc... see my profile for some info on those mods if you like
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Old 04-16-2014, 09:20 AM   #5
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Now here's a thought. If you don't have the room to mount a second battery in the same compartment as the first, you might be able to mount it remotely in an adjacent compartment. There are vented battery boxes available that would allow you to do just that.


Like I said previously, once you get the battery mounted, hooking it up with the required length of cables is easy.
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Old 04-16-2014, 11:06 AM   #6
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If you are interested in getting your batteries re-charged in a quick three hour time then your converter/charger should have enough DC Current output to provide 15-18AMP demand per 12VDC battery you have connected when 14.4VDC charge is applied. Two 6VDC Batteries in series would count as one 12VDC battery.

This is what I have found in my dealing with batteries at any rate. My PD9260C 60AMP Converter/charger will handle up to four 12VDC Batteries connected in parallel and return a 90% state of charge using smart mode charging in about three hours time.

Most standard size trailers usually come with a 55AMP sized converter...

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Old 04-16-2014, 03:23 PM   #7
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till now i've always had bumper pull trailers and have always had two batteries, we do alot of dry camping, so worried the one battery isn't gonna cut it. adding another vented battery box in another location is a good idea, I'll have to check for space.
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Old 04-16-2014, 06:18 PM   #8
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the battery compartment measures 10.5 x 24.5, so two batteries sitting end to end would fit, but not with the vented box. anyone ever see a vented box made for two? how important is the vented box? Also I see alot of talk about the golf cart batteries are they smaller than the regular deep cell ones.
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Old 04-16-2014, 06:53 PM   #9
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You need a vented box for wet cell batteries inside any compartment. Since they can release hydrogen gas when charging. You also need to make sure you have room to inspect water levels. I chose to go with AGM Batteries, they do not need water and do not require a vented battery box.

It's best if you get all your batteries at the same time so there the same age. Also they should be the same size and type so they charge the same and evenly.

My FW has a small battery compartment for barely two Batteries. I'm not going to use that. I'm going to install four 6V AGM batteries next to the generator. The batteries are pricey but I should have plenty of power for me.
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Old 04-16-2014, 08:44 PM   #10
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You can also make your own battery box and connect to existing vents
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Old 04-17-2014, 08:47 AM   #11
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If you do use a remote location you can save yourself from some headache by connecting the load and converter to the positive terminal of one battery and the negative terminal of the other. This negates the issue of the voltage drop tie to wiring between the two batteries. This will require some thought about the wiring method the key is large loads and charging should go through the whole bank rather than jumping the batteries together.
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Old 04-20-2014, 01:43 PM   #12
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Okay, I have convinced myself I need 2 6v true deep cell AGM batteries, then I can get rid of the vented box and have plenty of room for 2. What is a good "ah" number? The ones I am looking at are 225ah that seems pretty good, but are there better ones out there.
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Old 04-20-2014, 03:13 PM   #13
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I chose Lifeline Batteries. Four 6V AGM, the biggest I could fit. I had to order them and they are expensive.

I chose the GPL-6CT. It's foot print is 10.28" x 7.06". That's a 300 Ah at 6V so running two Batteries at 12V is also 300Ah. They are heavy at almost 100 lbs each. But more weight means thicker plates and a better battery.
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Old 04-20-2014, 06:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bullshooter View Post
Okay, I have convinced myself I need 2 6v true deep cell AGM batteries, then I can get rid of the vented box and have plenty of room for 2. What is a good "ah" number? The ones I am looking at are 225ah that seems pretty good, but are there better ones out there.
Remember with 6 V batteries in series you only get the amp hours of one.
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