Battery Question

[guitarguy]

I’m not too clever about batteries, and I do have 2 new 12 volt batteries on Jayco 23’ Travel trailer. Is it wiser to just use 1 at a time, or should I hook them up together? What is the best way to couple them together, if that is the right way?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanxalot.

[Cannon]

Originally Posted by guitarguy

I’m not too clever about batteries, and I do have 2 new 12 volt batteries on Jayco 23’ Travel trailer. Is it wiser to just use 1 at a time, or should I hook them up together? What is the best way to couple them together, if that is the right way?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanxalot.

2 at a time. POS. to POS. and NEG. to NEG. Cables do not need to be same length as it says in picture. Can't get pic to load. Look on internet on how to hook up 2 batteries in parallel.

[guitarguy]

Thanxalot, right after I posted this, I realized that the internet is useful, too.
I did find Pete’s RV on YT just what I needed to know. Thanx for quick reply.

[ASTMedic]

Why not the best of both worlds?

Bluesea battery switch/selector. Let's you pick one battery or the other or both.

[Mustang65]

For best charging and discharging, use the below wiring diagram.

It is NOT recommended to use the batteries separately as they cannot be connected together to be recharged. The batteries will not be at an EQUAL discharged level and one battery will require more or less power to recharge that the other, which can lead to over/under charging of batteries. Batteries used together must be the same make/model/mfr date and Ah rating.


The picture has the Battery disconnect switch on the negative battery cable, it can be installed on either positive or negative cable.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[j930]

claiming ignorance here... if you connect 2 12v batteries are you not creating 24V in a 12 v system??

[ATXED]

When connecting in Parallel (like the diagram above) you are doubling the capacity (amp hours) of the battery while maintaining the voltage of one of the individual batteries. This would be used in applications such as laptop batteries, some scooters, some ups backups, etc. Use a jumper wire between the positives of both batteries and another jumper wire between the negatives of both batteries. Connect your positive and negative wires to the same battery to run to your application.

Connecting in Series
When connecting your batteries in Series you are doubling the voltage while maintaining the same capacity rating (amp hours). This might be used in a scooter, Power Wheels kids vehicle, or other applications. Just use a jumper wire between the negative of the first battery and the positive of the second battery. Run your negative wire off of the open connector from the first battery and your positive off of the open connector on your second battery.

[j930]

got it. makes sense

[bdreinv]

Your off in the right direction on under standing batteries.Might consider some solar makes battery life a whole lot easier! Thanks

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by j930

claiming ignorance here... if you connect 2 12v batteries are you not creating 24V in a 12 v system??

You can find a lot of GOOD battery/SOLAR information on our "RVing with SOLAR" social group.

Don


My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[guitarguy]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

You can find a lot of GOOD battery/SOLAR information on our "RVing with SOLAR" social group.

Don


My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Thanx again to all who replied with helpful info complete with pix, I will be looking into the solar panel group discussion as we do as much boondocking as power sites. Anything to stretch a buck...��, cheers, Guitarguy

[GrumpyDad]

If you have a 2 12v setup now, when it comes time to replace, consider doing 2 6V "golf cart" style which usually gets you more Ah capacity for fewer dollars.

But for now, if the 12v are in good condition, you are fine.