Under step battery upgrade

[Camp4life]

I upgraded the 80AH battery under my step in my 2019 Redhawk 26XD to a 200Ah battery with very little modification. I just wanted to let others know that the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM 200AH battery fits perfectly! I had to use a grinder and remove part of the step for about 20" to get the battery to fit down inside. I also had to grind off the small battery bracket on the beams at the base of the stairs but overall it only took about an hour to complete the job.

I purchased the battery from Home depot with free delivery so if I have any battery problems I can just return it to my local store.


My question for others... Should I get a trickle charger for this battery when its sitting idle at home or will the RV charger be acceptable?

[Marshmellow]

If your RV is not plugged in for a long period of time then I would use a trickle charger. Mine is stored for the winter I remove the battery and put it on a trickle charger.

[mini4mw]

Is that where the battery was originally? Mine is on the driver's side on a pull out drawer. Never thought about putting a battery there, but thats a good idea.

[Camp4life]

Originally Posted by mini4mw

Is that where the battery was originally? Mine is on the driver's side on a pull out drawer. Never thought about putting a battery there, but thats a good idea.

Yea, under the step was where the original battery was located which is why it was so easy to upgrade.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Camp4life

My question for others... Should I get a trickle charger for this battery when its sitting idle at home or will the RV charger be acceptable?

If the unit is plugged in all the time at your house, I would think the onboard charging system would be sufficient. Couldn't hurt to check it periodically with a multimeter to make sure.

[dvspl]

I upgraded the 80AH LA battery under the step of my 2020 Greyhawk 29MV to two Renogy 100AH Smart Lithium (Lifepo) batteries. I also had to make some minor mods to the battery tray (removal of the ends) but the two batteries just fit.

As for trickle charging, do you run your generator monthly? If so, that's a good time to recharge the batteries. Mine will easily last a month if I keep the battery disconnect relay off.

[bluztoo]

When you put in the Renogy batteries what other equipment did you have to change? I’m just starting this season and have a Jayco on order.

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by bluztoo

When you put in the Renogy batteries what other equipment did you have to change?

I'm not sure if you're talking about the Renogy Lithium batteries that I installed or the Renogy AGM batteries that OP installed. For lithium, I also added a DC-DC charger between the alternator and batteries to prevent overheating the alternator. My converter was PD 9260C and is capable of charging lithium batteries, but online feedback said that it would rarely get to the bulk charging state (>14.4V) to fully charge the lithium batteries. So I added the PD remote pendant (<$20 on Amazon) so I could remotely control the charging state. Check your converter manual to see if it will work with lithium.

[bluztoo]

Thanks. Will do. Won’t have anything to look at for another month until I take delivery. You answered my question. Best.

[jjread]

Hello: I am curious how this has worked out for you? I am about to do the same thing to my 26XD and was wonder did you have any issues with the existing system?

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by jjread

Hello: I am curious how this has worked out for you? I am about to do the same thing to my 26XD and was wonder did you have any issues with the existing system?

My 200 AH system has been working great for more than two years. We don't boondock a lot, but when we do this meets our needs well. We can easily make it through the night even if we have to have the furnace on. Typically have to run our generator about an hour in the morning to recharge the overnight draw. If I were doing it today, I'd get the newer Renogy version that includes an internal heater. That hasn't been a big issue for us, but would be nice to eliminate one more worry. Take a close look at the space to make sure whatever batteries you choose will fit. They aren't all the same size.

[jjread]

Originally Posted by dvspl

My 200 AH system has been working great for more than two years. We don't boondock a lot, but when we do this meets our needs well. We can easily make it through the night even if we have to have the furnace on. Typically have to run our generator about an hour in the morning to recharge the overnight draw. If I were doing it today, I'd get the newer Renogy version that includes an internal heater. That hasn't been a big issue for us, but would be nice to eliminate one more worry. Take a close look at the space to make sure whatever batteries you choose will fit. They aren't all the same size.

Thank you! Yes, I found one, where I will have to trim the opening of the box, but no biggy! I've added a 440 watt solar input as well, and was just having second thoughts about if the existing electrical equipment could handle the amperage. We also are not big boondocker, being on the east coast, but will be hitting the beaches of Rhode Island this year, so your info is good to know!

[doghauler]

I used this battery,
https://www.vmaxtanks.com/SLR200-AGM...ry-_p_157.html
It is a VMAX 200 ah AGM and it also fits very nicely under the steps of my 2022 29MV. It is a nice upgrade to the 2 original batteries without the complications of going to lithium iron phosphate.

[jjread]

Originally Posted by doghauler

I used this battery,
https://www.vmaxtanks.com/SLR200-AGM...ry-_p_157.html
It is a VMAX 200 ah AGM and it also fits very nicely under the steps of my 2022 29MV. It is a nice upgrade to the 2 original batteries without the complications of going to lithium iron phosphate.

Thanks!

[Colorado Greg]

I am hoping to do the same, did the inverter that came with your RV work ok or does it need to be upgraded as well? I have 2018 Jayco Melbourne with the mercedes diesel.

[jjread]

Originally Posted by Colorado Greg

I am hoping to do the same, did the inverter that came with your RV work ok or does it need to be upgraded as well? I have 2018 Jayco Melbourne with the mercedes diesel.

I have not started the project yet, because of the temperatures here on the east coast. I would check to see what brand inverter/converter you have. Our was Progressive Dynamics. Get the number off the electrical panel, and see if yours will cover Lithium batteries. I will upgrade ours, not that expensive. but you will also need a dc/dc controller another couple hundred dollars to provide the correct charging current to the battery from the alternator.

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by Colorado Greg

I am hoping to do the same, did the inverter that came with your RV work ok or does it need to be upgraded as well? I have 2018 Jayco Melbourne with the mercedes diesel.

Are you talking about the inverter (to provide 120 VAC power) or the converter (to provide 12 VDC power)? Or does the Melbourne have a combined converter/inverter? Our Greyhawk has separate inverter and converter. The inverter is Magnum Dimensions 1000 watt and it provides enough power for the things we use it for, mainly TV and BluRay player. If you have a residential refrigerator you may need more AC power. The converter is Progressive Dynamics 60 amp (PD9260) and works fine for charging our lithium batteries. It was not designed for lithium charge profile but I added the remote pendant for Charge Wizard and can manually control the charge profile so it works great. The remote pendant (PD92201V) costs less than $20 on Amazon.

[Dmarcian]

Doghauler - this battery looks interesting. Is the weight an issue? Do you have Solar and does it charge this battery? I have a stock 190 watt panel but the specs seem to indicate more is needed to charge this battery.

[doghauler]

Yes, I have the same 190 watt stock solar panel and this battery (VMAX 200 ah AGM) works great with it. It is heavy but actually less than the 2 stock batteries it replaced. I can pick it up to install it and remove it with no problem. The nice thing is that it fits the under step compartment nicely.

[Dmarcian]

One more question- does that Vmax battery stress (overheat) your alternator? Did you need to install a DC to DC charger between the battery and the alternator?