Duel batteries

Rock · 10-10-2015, 01:54 PM

Still waiting on my new pinnacle but was wondering if it should have two batteries. Since it has the generator option will it have a selector switch or the standard disconnect, or just a separate generator battery
Rock

**norty1** · 10-10-2015, 04:46 PM

My Eagle has 2 and I don't recall a Pinnacle without 2.
My dealer furnished them.

Wrascal · 10-10-2015, 07:57 PM

If you have/ use a gen set (and/or camp power) then you won't have as much need for a battery, let alone two.

I only camp with power - yet when it came time for a battery replacement I upgraded with two. My compromise was a cheaper pair of 12V marine ones, wired in parallel. Total expense (Walmart) - with additional cables - maybe $240.

EDIT TO ASK: Does the gen set use the house battery to start or does it have its' own battery?

Rock · 10-10-2015, 09:39 PM

I do not know since I have not received my unit. It seem stupid to have just one battery for the Rv and built in generator. I ordered with gen because my mountain property has no power and I dry camp for over two months. It would also make no sense to just have a battery disconnect like the pinnacles come with and not a 1, 2, both or off selector. Be kind of hard to start gen if only it comes with a house battery that u use up. The dealer had no units with factory generators that is why I asked how they came
Rock
Rock

dewey02 · 10-10-2015, 10:59 PM

Looking at the thread title, it is unclear if you want two batteries to do battle with each other, or to work together. duel vs dual.

edatlanta · 10-11-2015, 04:32 AM

I have two batteries in my Designer. They are 6v Trojan T-105's wired in series. They just passed the 5 year mark and are going strong. I check the water level every spring and every fall. Even with a generator they allow me to go several days with minimal generator use when off the grid. If I'm by myself I will run the generator a couple of times each morning to make coffee and not at all the rest of the day unless my television addiction kicks in during the evening.

Rock · 10-11-2015, 07:47 AM

edatlanta
In my TT I added a second battery and a selector switch so I could never kill both at same time. I did like u with a portable Honda 3000is ran just a few hrs a day. My question should of been does it come with two batteries and are they on a selector switch, wired together, or separate?
Rock

Wrascal · 10-11-2015, 08:53 AM

I'm venturing out here but if you have them (electrically) separated - so as to not kill both - then only one would be on the charge side of the gen set?

It sounds like you need all the battery power you can get; if so then you need to go with what EdATL has done, use 2 6V batteries in series.

Additionally your gen set should have its own start battery. Pull starting them ain't as much fun as they get older and poorly maintained.

Rock · 10-11-2015, 09:14 AM

Wrascal
That is why u use a selector switch like boats have and that is what I did for my TT. U can use either or both for house and when genny is running select both to let FW charge both. I was hoping someone got a 2016 pinnacle with generator and tell me how it is wired to the battery or batteries. Tell me about changing batteries older in life it was not easy from the bilge in my 30 foot cruiser
Rock

bethcb · 10-11-2015, 11:28 AM

We have four 6V batteries w solar panels on roof of 2015 Pinnacle to keep refer going when dry camping. No generator.

Rock · 10-11-2015, 11:33 AM

Bethcb
What kind of panels and are they mounted or just placed on roof. Do u have the propane fridge that is what I ordered
Rock

bethcb · 10-11-2015, 11:39 AM

I don't know what type they are, but they are permanently installed by Jayco. I believe 200 watts. We were going to get gas refer but stayed w household refer w 6volt batteries and solar. Factory installed.

**Mustang65** · 10-11-2015, 12:14 PM

I would think that Jayco would use BOTH batteries to start the generator, if not I would rewire it to use both batteries. Why.. if you have 2 12VDC batteries fully charged at 12.6Volts and you only use one to start the generator, you may have dropped that fully charged battery down to 12.4 or 12.3 volts and then you throw the switch to reconnect them and now the other battery that was 12.6 is no longer going to be 12.6 as it will drop in voltage to balance somewhere between the 12.6 and the 12.4. Continuing this process will shorten the life of both batteries. It is better to leave both batteries connected and watch the battery(s) voltage if it does not start on the first or second crank.

If you have a piece of land that you will be keeping your TT at, you may want to look into SOLAR ($$$) and purchasing some TRUE 6 VDC deep cycle batteries. I always recommend that when you first start dry camping or adding solar, keep the battery(s) that came with the TT and practice on them, and when you kill them and learn how to live on SOLAR you will be ready for the more expensive True Deep Cycle batteries.

To give you an idea, since I installed SOLAR, I have had the TT's battery charge controller turned off. The sun takes good care of the batteries. They are fully charged by 2PM on sunny days and 4ish on cloudy days. 200 watts would be the very minimum panel output you would want. If your TT is parked in a lot of shade and you have them mounted on the roof, you will need at least 400 watts. Buy a system that has an MPPT controller which will increase the Amps.

Good Luck,

Don

We have an "RVing with SOLAR" social group here on the forum. There is a lot of battery, solar charge controller (PWM vs MPPT) and installation information.

Rock · 10-11-2015, 02:37 PM

I do not keep it on property travel 1500 miles to get there. On my TT I hard mounted a marine charger made to charge two separate batteries and wired to both. Whenever I ran my generator I would turn off the TT charger and the marine charger was plugged into Rv outside 110. Worked great last two years dry camping for two months at a time. I did have septic put in an I use a 1hp pump for river water to Rv. No electric or cell service so I stay off the grid. Solar mounted from Jayco factory not a 2016 pinnacle option just pre wired solar
Rock

bethcb · 10-11-2015, 02:52 PM

When we ordered our 2015 Pinnacle it wasn't an option listed on the web site. We called RV Express in Indiana where we picked up the trailer and they said that Jayco could install it for us, along with washer/dryer. It was all included in the final price and was covered under the 2 year warranty too. That's why we chose these options rather than after-market.

Grumpy · 10-11-2015, 03:09 PM

The PINNACLE comes with two batteries wired in parallel as well as a manual disconnect switch. However the geny is wired directly to the batteries and not through the disconnect.

Wrascal · 10-11-2015, 05:04 PM

And that would be "even more gooder", at least for me (less to mess with).
Just carry some long, hi quality jumper cables in the TV.

**Mustang65** · 10-11-2015, 06:06 PM

Started the post but saw that the generator is wired directly to the batteries.
Don

Rock · 10-11-2015, 06:40 PM

Grumpy
Once again thanks
Rock

Rock · 10-11-2015, 06:46 PM

bethcb
My dealer said all the options listed are what u can order. U would think they would list solar since pre wired. All come with washer dryer pre plumed so why not list washer dryer option. I am pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that U cannot get any special stuff added. Wish I would of known
Rock

You may also like: