Greyhawk House Battery

[reitrof]

So I'm finding the 1 house battery limited in storage capacity for 10-14 days a year I boondock.

Has anyone added another battery?

Looking for ideas. Battery compartment is small, looks like 2 of the original batteries won't fit. Will 2 smaller sizes give me better capacity than 1?

Thanks.

[CarlB]

I looked and it looks like the box has room for growth with the proper fabrication skills. This may be one of my first mods. Lots of room between the back of the box and the frame rail.

[myflyertrains]

Originally Posted by reitrof

So I'm finding the 1 house battery limited in storage capacity for 10-14 days a year I boondock.

Has anyone added another battery?

Looking for ideas. Battery compartment is small, looks like 2 of the original batteries won't fit. Will 2 smaller sizes give me better capacity than 1?

Thanks.

The battery in our 2015 Redhawk was not in very good condition at delivery. I knew we were going dry camping for several weeks, so I purchased an AGM battery from SAMs Club, the largest that would fit which was a couple of groups larger than what came in the rig. I did not want another flooded battery so didn't attempt a warranty replacement. The AGM does well, with the 100 watt portable solar panel we bought. I am considering adding a 2nd AGM battery in a nearby storage compartment so I have capacity to watch TV without needing to start the generator. AGM batteries do not need maintenance, and do not need to be vented because they are sealed.

Chuck
2015 26XD Redhawk
Winter Park, FL

[reitrof]

Thanks all for the replies.

Is the charger in the Greyhawk or Redhawk rated for AGM's?

My fab skills are not great. Will have to pull it out and see what it looks like.

[Wertles]

Why isn't starting the generator for an hour a day to recharge an option? Not trying to be jerk here but it's already installed on your motorhome for that exact purpose. Unless you are going to places that strictly forbid any running generators, it gives the generator a small workout, charges the battery and is a much cheaper option than buying new batteries, fabricating brackets etc.

That said, on my previous 5th wheel, I had two 6 volt batteries that held a lot of power. I never ran them down to empty. When they started to show 1/3 on the meter, I would run the generator for an hour or two to top them off. If I was unable to run a generator, I would look into solar charging.

[myflyertrains]

Originally Posted by reitrof

Thanks all for the replies.

Is the charger in the Greyhawk or Redhawk rated for AGM's?

My fab skills are not great. Will have to pull it out and see what it looks like.

The Power Converter in my Redhawk is a 3 stage charger, which is what you need for an AGM. Mine is made by Progressive Dynamics, but i have a 2015 Redhawk, so your model could be different?

Are you sure your battery is good? Check it with a hydrometer to be sure. I could never get mine into the green, no matter how long I charged it. The voltage of the battery looked OK, just would not charge all the way up. It only takes a couple times of the battery being run all the way down to kill it. The nice thing about the AGM is it does not have to be charged as often when your RV is in storage mode, and it recharges faster.

I am happy but know that most people are not willing to pay the price for the AGM batteries which is nearly double a flooded one.

Chuck
2015 Redhawk
Winter Park, FL

[reitrof]

Originally Posted by Wertles

Why isn't starting the generator for an hour a day to recharge an option? Not trying to be jerk here but it's already installed on your motorhome for that exact purpose. Unless you are going to places that strictly forbid any running generators, it gives the generator a small workout, charges the battery and is a much cheaper option than buying new batteries, fabricating brackets etc.

That said, on my previous 5th wheel, I had two 6 volt batteries that held a lot of power. I never ran them down to empty. When they started to show 1/3 on the meter, I would run the generator for an hour or two to top them off. If I was unable to run a generator, I would look into solar charging.

Agreed, that's what I'm currently doing now, just looking for a way to run the genny less. Also as cheaply as possible.

Originally Posted by myflyertrains

The Power Converter in my Redhawk is a 3 stage charger, which is what you need for an AGM. Mine is made by Progressive Dynamics, but i have a 2015 Redhawk, so your model could be different?

Are you sure your battery is good? Check it with a hydrometer to be sure. I could never get mine into the green, no matter how long I charged it. The voltage of the battery looked OK, just would not charge all the way up. It only takes a couple times of the battery being run all the way down to kill it. The nice thing about the AGM is it does not have to be charged as often when your RV is in storage mode, and it recharges faster.

I am happy but know that most people are not willing to pay the price for the AGM batteries which is nearly double a flooded one.

Chuck
2015 Redhawk
Winter Park, FL

Yes not an issue with the battery, we just use a lot of power running the tv, dvd and wifi. Not sure what charger is in the Greyhawk, will check and see.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Wertles

That said, on my previous 5th wheel, I had two 6 volt batteries that held a lot of power. I never ran them down to empty. When they started to show 1/3 on the meter, I would run the generator for an hour or two to top them off. If I was unable to run a generator, I would look into solar charging.

If I may, what is your interpretation of empty? The other thing is, those wonderful LED battery level display lights that come standard in the TT for the battery status are as reliable as the black and gray water tank sensors output. On a good day, on my display, when the (Good) LED goes out the voltage is right around 12.1 volts. Which is very close to the 50% level (12VDC) limit for a properly maintained battery level. The (Fair) goes out around 11.5VDC, which is well below the acceptable 50% battery level. So if you follow the LED's output your battery life will be reduced. Granted, there are probably no two TT battery monitors that will give you an accurate reading, but a good rule of thumb would be when the (Good) LED goes out, it is time to start thinking about shutting down the loads on the battery(s).

In my opinion, trust the battery monitor as much as you trust the water level sensors. In my case the water levels are always 2/3 or Full, even after the dump.

Just my thoughts,

Don

[Kave&Lucky]

Here's what I did to add an additional battery

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...%26amp%3Blucky

[reitrof]

Originally Posted by Kave&Lucky

Here's what I did to add an additional battery

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...%26amp%3Blucky

Yes I remember reading that. I don't the ability to fab one, do you have the specs for the tray?

I'm also thinking of modijying the existing tray to hold 2 or replace it with a new sliding tray.