Adding second battery

[billcf7]

Originally Posted by Jayco 24B

As long as they are in the same group (24) you are good. I just add another battery to my 24B. Original Harris battery was $214 plus shipping from the manufacturer. I went to local RV dealer and purchased one for $120 (not Harris).
Attachment 72004

If you add a new battery to an existing battery the new one will only have the capacity of the original battery

[GHen]

Originally Posted by billcf7

If you add a new battery to an existing battery the new one will only have the capacity of the original battery

X2 on this. The charger will only charge to the weakest or smallest battery.
Same size, same year, same type is the best rule. I suggest always replacing them in pairs.

[8thdwarf]

Word to the wise.... don't skimp on the batteries if you're boondocking.... nothing like running out of power to your heater, when it's cold out, at 3 a.m.... been there.....

[Johnynorthland]

I purchased an all in one power supply/solar generator with 3,034 WH of lithium, converter, charge controller built in.

I ran an exterior female outlet outside, on my slide wall, wired it under my dinette to an interior male outlet inside to plug in the power supply in. It sits behind my driver’s seat. Now I just plug my RV into itself!


It’s has wheels and a telescoping handle. I use it in my house, charge my boats trolling motor and it’s a UPS backup also.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by RAurand

PARALLEL hookup is connecting Positive to positive and negative to negative.
See below

Yep, and this is how I did mines.

[GoGator]

Best practice is to match battery size, type and age.

I plan to replace the original single house deep cycle LA battery with 2 new identical deep cycle batteries.

The LA starting chassis battery is fine but should I replace it at the same time as the house batteries so all batteries are of the same age?

Should the house deep cycle batteries and chassis starting battery match in type (LA or AGM) or is it OK to go with AGM house batteries with an LA chassis starting battery?

[billcf7]

House and chassis can be different size type or voltage. Eg two six volt. A lot of people use lead acid for chassis and AGM or lithium for house

[GoGator]

Thank you for the reply. That makes sense given that chassis batteries are starting batteries vs deep cycle house batteries.

Regarding AGM batteries:

I've read AGMs need to be recharged at a lower amperage (slower?) than LA batteries. My converter is a Progressive Dynamics 9100 series or 9200 series (I need to verify which one is in there). I've read this converter may charge at too high amps or too fast for AGMs which could damage or shorten the life of AGM batteries.

Has anyone determined whether or not this is the case?

Should I stick with LA over AGM out of even though performance is lower?

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[MrSaxy]

https://www.canbat.com/4-tips-charging-agm-batteries/

[GHen]

Originally Posted by GoGator

Thank you for the reply. That makes sense given that chassis batteries are starting batteries vs deep cycle house batteries.

Regarding AGM batteries:

I've read AGMs need to be recharged at a lower amperage (slower?) than LA batteries. My converter is a Progressive Dynamics 9100 series or 9200 series (I need to verify which one is in there). I've read this converter may charge at too high amps or too fast for AGMs which could damage or shorten the life of AGM batteries.

Has anyone determined whether or not this is the case?

Should I stick with LA over AGM out of even though performance is lower?

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

I use 6v lead acid, but one of my sons switched to AGM and now has pulled them out and put the lead acid back in. He boondocks during hunting season and found he had to run his generator over twice as long to recharge them.