What battery setup for a new Northpoint?

[Wire]

I'm new to the RV world, and I'm close to purchasing probably a 377. It doesn't look like batteries are part of the package, so I guess I just figure that out on my own?

What's a reasonable setup? There's an overwhelming amount of info on batteries out there. I'm just looking for a few opinions to get me started on what I should expect that's somewhere between ridiculously too little and overkill. 12 or 6v? How many??

I'll have a residential fridge and the gen prep (I'll get a generator later if I decide I need it).

Thanks



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[Paintinfool3]

The batteries should come from the dealer you purchase from ... mine had a brand new one installed by dealer... shouldn't be your problem

[Screwby]

Batteries are always part of the package. They usually don't have them installed until last minute due to theft and drain from non-use

[Wire]

So if the dealer puts in one 12v battery, that's normal and reasonable?


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[wags999]

Originally Posted by Wire

So if the dealer puts in one 12v battery, that's normal and reasonable?


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They will be happy to sell you a second battery installed..

[Bookemdanno]

My 377 came with one 12v battery from dealership. Bought a matching 2nd 12v battery from Costco for much cheaper than what the dealership offered to sell me one for.

[BuddyRay]

My dealer (whom I love) was going to put a small, no name, 12v battery in. He was also going to "give" me the camco starter kit in a bucket - which is all low quality junk. I talked the parts manager into keeping the junk and giving me a store credit. I spent it on a GOOD sewer hose, 30a extension, etc. Went and bought my batteries elsewhere.
Of course I had to buy them before I picked up the trailer so there was 12v for the PDI.
Not all dealers would do that but it's worth a discussion.


Buddy Ray - Atlanta
---------------
Jayco Eagle HT 26.5RLS
Ford F150 Lariat, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost
Max Tow Pkg, 36gal tank
Reese Sidewinder and Reese Titan 16k hitch

[Fire_Instructor]

My 377 came with a single 12v RV battery. I removed it, mounted my umbilical cord reel in that space, then mounted my four 6v golf-cart batteries in the nose compartment. I have the RV fridge and 300W of solar, so I'd say that our battery needs differ....

[klassic]

Originally Posted by Fire_Instructor

My 377 came with a single 12v RV battery. I removed it, mounted my umbilical cord reel in that space, then mounted my four 6v golf-cart batteries in the nose compartment. I have the RV fridge and 300W of solar, so I'd say that our battery needs differ....

Fire instructor, did I miss a thread with a picture of your setup? I really need to see this.

[Kahoneys]

Our 377 came with 2 deep cell batteries from the dealer without an extra charge.

[Wire]

Hey Buddy Ray,
Do you mind telling me which dealer you use? I live an hour east of Atlanta and I'm searching for a good one.

I've only been given advice on where to avoid!

Thank you everybody for your input!


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[havnfun]

Originally Posted by Kahoneys

Our 377 came with 2 deep cell batteries from the dealer without an extra charge.

Mine also came with 2 deep cell batteries, by dealer (CW).

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[Rustysocket]

My dealer provided 2 6v batteries in my rig.

[jasum]

Originally Posted by Kahoneys

Our 377 came with 2 deep cell batteries from the dealer without an extra charge.

You PAID for it..............

[freddirkse]

Originally Posted by Wire

So if the dealer puts in one 12v battery, that's normal and reasonable?

It's really up to negotiation. Most units will come with at least a single battery and generally some basic starter items - some propane, shore power cord, water hose, sewer hose, etc. But again, it's really all negotiable with the dealer as far as what they "include" in the price.

As far as a battery setup - you are certainly correct regarding the vast amount of information out there. It really comes down to YOUR particular needs. If you plan to do extensive boondocking and want to run your resi-fridge, TV, microwave, and maybe even AC, then you're going to need a beefy setup, most likely with a generator and solar setup. But if you're just looking to make sure you have enough juice to keep the fridge going if you lose power for a night in a campground, then that's a different story.

I only know enough to be dangerous myself as this point - I've been travelling extensively in our 377 RLBH for the last year with only the single 12V battery we got when we bought it. We have a generator also that I've only fired up a few times just for maintenance recommendations. We've stayed exclusively in campgrounds with power, so it hasn't been an issue. That said, I do plan to do some boondocking over the next year so I'm going to get a good setup in place, starting with four 6V batteries and a couple solar panels. I'm weighing the cost vs. weight vs. performance vs. longevity of lead acid vs. AGM vs. lithium....it is indeed a bit overwhelming.

The two most thorough sources I've found online thus far are:

Jack Danmayer
RV Electrical

and, Handy Bob
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/


Hope that helps.

[PlayersZ28]

Like Rick I also removed my two 12v batteries and installed 4x 6v. I used AGM to avoid the venting requirement. I also just added 320w of solar. We boondock so I needed the batteries to avoid running a genny all the time.

Your battery needs depend entirely on what type of camping you do. A single 12v will work if you are on hookups when parked.

[freddirkse]

Originally Posted by PlayersZ28

Like Rick I also removed my two 12v batteries and installed 4x 6v. I used AGM to avoid the venting requirement. I also just added 320w of solar. We boondock so I needed the batteries to avoid running a genny all the time.

Curious to know how that works out for you, please post some updates as you get some real life use. What are your intentions with the setup as far as what all you think you'll be able to run with it - refer, AC, micro, TV, etc?

[klassic]

Freddirse, maybe this will help in your flooded or agm decision.
I had to cut out the top shelf to get 2 Trojan 105's in.
I can barely get my head in there to check the water level, the back one is almost impossible.

I didn't put in any effort to try and get the 105's in with the shelf still in place, but I'm pretty sure they are too tall to get in over the door lip. I went directly to cutting out the shelf.

I see no way to get four 6v flooded batteries in there and not having to remove them everytime to check the water level. I suppose a watering system will work, but there would be very little head room above the batteries to install the watering tubes and attach the wires.
If I was to do it again I would give 6 AGM 12volt a thought or a way higher amp hour and much heavier/taller pair of 6 volts with a watering system.
I'm not sure how well the stock converter would charge that though.

Just my thoughts.

[schiguy]

My 375 came with just one 12v battery from the dealer. We always go to full hookup sites and the single battery has done great for our needs so far. In the future I do plan on changing the setup a little, but for now it works pretty good.

[Wire]

I'm the OP and I just want to thank everybody for helping me understand this.

Along the same lines, am I understanding this correctly: The only inverter on a North Point would be a dedicated one for the residential fridge if I were to get that option. Other than that, no other appliances or outlets will work until shore power is plugged (or a generator is connected). Am I correct?

Don't know why I would need anything else, just want to understand the systems.


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