Swapped Out Lead Acid with AGM Batteries

[prm99v6]

Originally Posted by vivusCraig

Pics are coming... I love the Victron battery monitor. A battery monitor is essential to knowing what is happening with your batteries.



We hooked up our GoPRo 3000 watt inverter so that it powers the whole coach. Our Xantrex 1000 watt inverter only powered our fridge and a couple of usb outlets.



This is a new experience for us. Now I am trying to figure out what our panels can do for us and how much we can use our microwave, kettle etc.



Our new inverter pretty much gives us the ability to run anything, air conditioner included but sucks power from our four 6 volt AGM batteries quickly. So it is a learning experience trying to figure out where the drains are coming from.

Jayco did some improvements for 2019 in that the living room tv outlet, bedroom tv outlet, and I think the two outlets next to the bed are powered by the inverter in addition to the residential fridge. There might be more outlets, haven’t checked but I know the ones I listed are powered. I have to look at solar but not this year. Too many other things.

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by prm99v6

Good upgrade. I swapped in 6 (took the shelf out above the batteries). I am currently using the OEM cables but am upgrading when the weather gets warmer.

Attachment 47342

Nice install. FWIW, when poking around my stock install of
2 interstate group 27’s, one of the lead’s terminal connectors slipped right off the cable end; barely crimped at all. Lacking a proper large crimper, I used a very large set of channel locks to get the squish I needed. Worked in a pinch, so to speak.
-angus

[PMC]

Originally Posted by Joan617

Nice install. FWIW, when poking around my stock install of
2 interstate group 27’s, one of the lead’s terminal connectors slipped right off the cable end; barely crimped at all. Lacking a proper large crimper, I used a very large set of channel locks to get the squish I needed. Worked in a pinch, so to speak.
-angus

I had the exact same thing happen. One of my positive connectors fell out, recrimped with a new end for now.
Will be putting new cables in when we put our new batteries in this summer. We have 4 battle born going in a along with some solar.

[prm99v6]

Originally Posted by Joan617

Nice install. FWIW, when poking around my stock install of
2 interstate group 27’s, one of the lead’s terminal connectors slipped right off the cable end; barely crimped at all. Lacking a proper large crimper, I used a very large set of channel locks to get the squish I needed. Worked in a pinch, so to speak.
-angus

That’s why I need to replace the cables. I have everything to do it but need warmer temps. The OEM cables are horrible but I am impressed that at least Jayco provides enough to do six batteries.

[klassic]

Any pictures of those batteries yet?
I almost came home the other day with four Rolls 6volts. With the watering system they will be just over 11” high. The battery compartment is 24” high.
I maybe could get them in, but I see no way of getting the wires on.
How did you do it??

[vivusCraig]

Originally Posted by klassic

Any pictures of those batteries yet?
I almost came home the other day with four Rolls 6volts. With the watering system they will be just over 11” high. The battery compartment is 24” high.
I maybe could get them in, but I see no way of getting the wires on.
How did you do it??

Here are my solar install pics. I will take some pics of the batteries as well.

Sorry, pics are upside down.

My batteries are very tight. Very hard to get things wired up. I went with AGM batteries because I did not want to deal with battery maintenance.

[klassic]

Nice!
The panels look great.
What and I looking at in your last picture?

[vivusCraig]

Originally Posted by klassic

Nice!
The panels look great.
What and I looking at in your last picture?

The last picture is the upside down 30 amp plug and pigtail that I installed that goes directly to my 3000w inverter. My 50 amp cable plugs into the 30/50 amp converter pigtail. So, I can power the whole coach from my inverter by plugging in here.

[vivusCraig]

Originally Posted by klassic

Any pictures of those batteries yet?
I almost came home the other day with four Rolls 6volts. With the watering system they will be just over 11” high. The battery compartment is 24” high.
I maybe could get them in, but I see no way of getting the wires on.
How did you do it??

It was a real tight fit. I went with AGM batteries to avoid the issues with watering the battery. Here is a pic of my setup. Pic should be vertical. I did brace the upper shelf to hold the weight of the batteries.

[klassic]

Is the shelf removable?
Looks like you put the bottom batteries in a box...to slide them in as one unit so they could be pre wired?
If so, and the shelf isn’t removable, how did you get them to drop down over the lip without hitting the shelf.

[vivusCraig]

Originally Posted by klassic

Is the shelf removable?
Looks like you put the bottom batteries in a box...to slide them in as one unit so they could be pre wired?
If so, and the shelf isn’t removable, how did you get them to drop down over the lip without hitting the shelf.

Did as much pre wiring as I could before putting them in. I had a second pair of hands help me. I crawled under the rig and push up on the box. My helper pushed in until we got the box positioned where we wanted it. The bottom as you know is open.

It wasn't fun but it was doable. And no, the shelf is not removable.