Swift SLX Owners Dual Battery Help

[lssmith]

I am thinking of upgrading to a dual battery setup since I use a medical device (cpap) to sleep and we will be off the grid boon-docking for a week in July at 7000 feet in Idaho. I do have a Coleman 1750 generator but I am not sure it will work at that altitude, so I plan on charging my batteries with the TV as backup. Have any of you Swift SLX owners done a dual battery setup? If so would you mind posting pics or links to help me get this going?

Thanks!!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Welcome to JOF

I did a Dual 6V Deep Cycle upgrade on my Eagle a few years ago, but I don't know if the Swift A-frame is dimensionally the same as mine. Here is my installation that may give you some ideas:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...?t=2752&page=2

Some additional links that be help:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...dual+batteries

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...dual+batteries

Bob

[Mustang65]

I am not sure what your CPAP machine operates on, but my CPAP machine's power transformer is 12VDC/5 amps. I made a new (fused) inline 12 VDC power cord that I have hooked to the TT's 12 volt system). This way I do not have to use the inverter while sleeping, which in itself uses close to 1 amp of drain (idle) on the batteries without anything plugged into it. This saves a little battery power.

If you are not into electronics, you can find someone that knows electronics and can make you a 12 volt fused cord. Just make sure that the output polarity of the cord is the same as the transformers (before you plug it into the machine), so that you do not damage the machine's electronics. The fuse should be no larger in value than the output of the power transformer's current output.

Don

[lssmith]

Regarding the last post, yes I am good to go with the CPAP on 12v. I bought the 12v cord from the manufacturer and tested it in the trailer. I went two full nights in the backyard on the trailer's fully charged 12v system before the power crapped out. I am just worried about keeping up with other issues like lights, furnace, fridge, CO2 detector, water pump and any other appliances that will drain the battery. Any help is appreciated thank you.

[Jmooney]

Looks like you have a pretty new TT, and if the battery is also new, you can add a second one in parrelle. If you can, match the make of battery. You should match the size ( amp hours ) and must match the voltage.
If you don't match size, one will become parasitic of the other.

If not a new battery, you really should start with two new matching batteries.


Wiring is pretty simple. Follow the 12 volt diagram on the right side below

If you do go with 2 new, you can change to twin 6 volt batteries, following diagram below on left below, putting them in series to make 12 volts

Short battery cables can be found at any auto parts store

[ncooper96]

Sounds like a generator is in your future!

[Jmooney]

Or 200 watts of solar power..... Think green!

[lssmith]

Thank you for the diagram, just what I was looking for and yes the battery is new so good advice on getting a second battery the same brand and size! Since I am in Tucson, solar is definitely something I am interested in, hopefully by increasing the size of the charging bank the next step will be a solar setup. Thank you!

[Jmooney]

U- bet

Several JOF members have added solar, so look at profiles for different solar setups and articles.

Renogy makes some good entry level solar hardware. Search internet for Renogystore

[oobedoob]

My dealer set up 2 6 volt golf cart batteries on our 184BH. All they did was "modify" the two battery boxes (read: cut a chunk off the lid) so the two would fit in the battery bracket side by side. Unfortunately I managed to pooch the batteries over winter and am back to a single 12v

[humbleguru]

IsSmith, how is pulling that trailer w an Escape? I have a Ford Edge and pull a 154BH and felt that perhaps I needed to upgrade to an F150 to be doing it right.

[lssmith]

I can also pull with my 1997 Grand Marquis but there is definitely an F-150 Ecoboost in our future!

[RossCecil]

humbleguru & IsSmith - I'm pulling a 185RB with a 2012 Escape, V6 AWD, without problem but them I'm at low altitude and not handling mountains. I'd probably have a different attitude if I was in Denver or Tucson. I went with the 2012 rather than the 2013 - accepting the lower MPG - in order to get the V6 and heavier body/frame members.