Quote:
Originally Posted by Schilly
Does any 12 v battery work for the camper?
I bought a second one just in case for our trip. The guy at Napa told me any 12 v works. However, the one that came with camper has those compartments that can be taken out to refill water and this one doesn't! Would I damage anything by connecting a regular 12 v??
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Can you give us a little information on the battery you just bought? Mfr, Amp hours, car battery, RV/Marine.. Can you give us the same information for the battery that came with the RV? This will give us a better understanding as to what you are dealing with.
There are BASICALLY 2 types of batteries. The type that is in your car and one that is called a DEEP CYCLE battery. The ones for the car (usually rated in Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) the ones for RV's are rated in Amp Hours. Car batteries should not be used in an RV as they are designed for massive amperage for short periods of time (cranking an engine for a few minutes) where as a RV battery is designed to make the batteries power extend over a longer period of time. The other issue is that the RV's battery charge controller is designed for a DEEP CYCLE battery, and charges it accordingly. You never mix these different types of batteries.
If that battery is an automotive battery, I would recommend that you return it to the store. If you are planning on doing normal camping, hooked to shore power, a regular RV/Marine (Interstate is probably the most popular brand) battery will be fine. If you are planning on dry-camping, then you will want to go for a TRUE DEEP CYCLE battery (Trojan T105 is probably the most common). If your batteries are stored in a sealed compartment with no ventilation, then you need to purchase sealed batteries.
If you intend on permanently wiring in two batteries to give you additional Amp Hours, both batteries need to be of the SAME MFR, SAME MODEL, SAME Ah rating.
Just remember your TT's battery voltage should never drop below 12VDC, which is the 50% level. Also get yourself a volt/ohm meter to check your voltage while camping or better yet get a digital display volt meter (Amazon has a bunch that you can plug into your TT's 12VDC accessory outlet
Don