Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-10-2012, 04:49 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burson, CA In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts.
Posts: 313
Moving Battery storage on Super Lite 31.5RLTS

I'm considering moving the battery storage on our 5th wheel from the side compartment to the front basement storage. The compartment on our trailer (as opposed to the full Eagle) is on the road side of the trailer and is not an over/under affair. Ours is in a single high 2 deep configuration which means each time I need to check the water I have to undo and remove the outboard battery in order to get to the inboard battery. When we purchased the trailer I had them install 2ea 6 Volt batteries as opposed to the single 12 Volt they offer with a new unit. One of the issues I have with this arrangement is that the batteries barely fit in the compartment height wise and additionally, removing the outboard battery is a bit awkward. The second issue is that these 6 Volt batteries are HEAVY and I have an issue with my right arm. So far I have managed to do ok when checking the water level but it is not that easy for me. Another part of the equation is that I would like to add 2 more batteries for additional AH as we like to go to Forrest Service camp grounds where there are no hookups.

My plan would be to move the existing batteries and install 2 more to the storage compartment under the front overhang, I want to come up with some arrangement that would allow me to store all 4 batteries in a single box and then run a vent pipe to the outside via the front wall of that compartment. The new 2013 version of our model has moved the battery storage to this location but they are using individual plastic battery boxes that are independently vented.

Does anyone see any problem with doing this and does anyone have any suggestions for a suitable box to house the batteries in?

Steve
__________________

Steve, Berne and Rascal
2012 Jayco 31.5 RLTS
2007 F250 Powerstroke
Panhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2012, 07:38 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
Here is what you are looking for... you will have to modify it a bit

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-systems/4592
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2012, 07:59 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burson, CA In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts.
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
Here is what you are looking for... you will have to modify it a bit

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-systems/4592
I like it, However if it sticks up more that the studs where the wires connect it won't work as the compartment is very tight and I really have no vertical room. Thanks for the tip, I will be looking into it further. One thing however, this doesn't address my desire to increase the battery banks and have more available battery power.

Steve
__________________

Steve, Berne and Rascal
2012 Jayco 31.5 RLTS
2007 F250 Powerstroke
Panhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2012, 10:03 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 261
Keep an eye on distance to the converter from the batteries - and guage of wire used on that link. There is some info in my blog below...

-Chak
__________________
- 2005 Dodge 2500 CTD 6spd manual
- 2010 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 246RKS
- 2003 Casita Spirit Deluxe (sold)

My Write-up on managing 12V and batteries
LED Bulbs and what I did
Chakara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2012, 10:20 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burson, CA In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts.
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chakara View Post
Keep an eye on distance to the converter from the batteries - and guage of wire used on that link. There is some info in my blog below...

-Chak
Thanks, For now I think I'm going to leave the batteries where they are, I ordered the above recommended filling system. If that works out I will run with the 2 batteries for now. Do you think it would be do-able to have the 2 existing batteries where they currently are in the side compartment and 2 more in the front basement storage area? The run to the inverter would be about 1 to 2 feet longer than the current run to the side battery compartment which is about 3.5 to 4 feet. Or should I connect the 2 banks together and run the inverter cable where it is now?

Steve
__________________

Steve, Berne and Rascal
2012 Jayco 31.5 RLTS
2007 F250 Powerstroke
Panhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2012, 09:02 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Seann45's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
VENTING.. the batteries you put in the forward compartment will need to be vented to the outside... that means sealed boxes and drilling holes in the wall of the RV.. are you ready to do this?
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12

Seann45 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2012, 09:25 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burson, CA In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts.
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
VENTING.. the batteries you put in the forward compartment will need to be vented to the outside... that means sealed boxes and drilling holes in the wall of the RV.. are you ready to do this?
If I put batteries in the front compartment what I envision is something like using an appropriately sized sealed box, perhaps of aluminum diamond plate material and a vent hose to the front wall under the overhang. On the 2013 models this is how they are doing it, but they are using individual battey boxes for the batteries.

Steve
__________________

Steve, Berne and Rascal
2012 Jayco 31.5 RLTS
2007 F250 Powerstroke
Panhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.