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Old 02-09-2017, 04:54 PM   #1
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Dual Batteries for my 17XFD

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the travel trailer world. It's fun so far!

I bought a 2016 Jayco 17XFD. I was wondering if anyone has put dual batteries on one. If so, what products did you use?

Thank you
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Old 02-09-2017, 06:06 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Jayco! I'm sure many folks will be offering advice soon, I've not done any battery work on ours so I can't offer any tips on that subject. FWIW, you can do a search here on the forum and look up threads on a particular item. Have fun with your new RV and happy camping!
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Old 02-09-2017, 06:38 PM   #3
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Congratulations on your new Jayco and welcome to the forum.
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Old 02-11-2017, 08:46 AM   #4
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If you do a lot of dry camping for extended periods it would help, though you would need a way to charge them, solar or a generator.

Camping with full hookups 98% of the time, I don't see a need for me to do it.

I did add a locking battery box that holds 2 batteries, but haven't added the 2nd one yet. Don't know if I will in the future.
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Old 02-11-2017, 03:55 PM   #5
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Also looking to add second battery

We have had our 23RBM for just over a year now looking to add a second battery for some light "boondocking". I have been told all you have to do is add a second battery tray and wire the two batteries in parallel but I am wondering if there are any issues with charging capacity and the current interrupting capacity of the trailer. Interested to see what you learn here.

Thanks, Magellan48
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Old 02-11-2017, 04:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magellan48 View Post
We have had our 23RBM for just over a year now looking to add a second battery for some light "boondocking". I have been told all you have to do is add a second battery tray and wire the two batteries in parallel but I am wondering if there are any issues with charging capacity and the current interrupting capacity of the trailer. Interested to see what you learn here.
Thanks, Magellan48
The short answer is just add a second battery and connect them in parallel. BUT, those 2 batteries should be as alike as possible; even manufactured at the same time if you can (but I'm not sure how anyone could realistically accomplish that).

The answer to the issue of charging capacity: It depends. What you pull from the battery MUST be replenished. If not, the batteries will die. The devil is in the details on how much you draw from the batteries and how much and how often they are recharged.

Regarding the current: No change. You will have more current available, but it will still flow through the same wires and fuses.
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Old 02-11-2017, 06:14 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ View Post
The short answer is just add a second battery and connect them in parallel. BUT, those 2 batteries should be as alike as possible; even manufactured at the same time if you can (but I'm not sure how anyone could realistically accomplish that).

The answer to the issue of charging capacity: It depends. What you pull from the battery MUST be replenished. If not, the batteries will die. The devil is in the details on how much you draw from the batteries and how much and how often they are recharged.

Regarding the current: No change. You will have more current available, but it will still flow through the same wires and fuses.
10-4 If I add a 2nd battery it will be when this original one dies. As quoted it's imperative to have like capacity, age, and brand.
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Old 02-12-2017, 07:44 AM   #8
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2nd battery

I added a 2nd battery, identical to the one that came with my 33RLDS when I bought it. Wired it parallel with the positive on one battery and the negative to the 2nd battery. Drain is even and when hooked to electric or driving down the road batteries charge evenly and completely.

With one battery I would use half its power just putting out and bringing in the 3 slides. Yesterday, in preparation for a trip south I put out the 3 slides and ran the furnace all night at 70d with very little noticeable drop in DC amperage. I plan on stopping at Walmart a couple of nights on the road and the temp is expected to be int he 30s and 40s and remain toasty.

Hope this helps and enjoy that TT.
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Old 02-12-2017, 08:28 AM   #9
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With one battery I would use half its power just putting out and bringing in the 3 slides.
Hook up the TV, start it up and you will not drain your TT batteries at all. Been doing it this way for years.

Don
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Old 02-12-2017, 09:49 AM   #10
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Hook up the TV, start it up and you will not drain your TT batteries at all. Been doing it this way for years.
Don
X2 Running our slides in or out ALWAYS happens when plugged in to the TV, house, or CG power. When boondocking, there is no reason to start the batteries off at an unnecessary disadvantage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard49 View Post
I added a 2nd battery, identical to the one that came with my 33RLDS when I bought it. Wired it parallel with the positive on one battery and the negative to the 2nd battery. Drain is even and when hooked to electric or driving down the road batteries charge evenly and completely.

With one battery I would use half its power just putting out and bringing in the 3 slides. Yesterday, in preparation for a trip south I put out the 3 slides and ran the furnace all night at 70d with very little noticeable drop in DC amperage. I plan on stopping at Walmart a couple of nights on the road and the temp is expected to be int he 30s and 40s and remain toasty.

Hope this helps and enjoy that TT.
My experience is that 'driving down the road' does not provide enough amperage to recharge a discharged battery. It may offset 'parasitic' battery draws, but NOT fully recharge a battery (or two).

Where and how are measuring DC amperage? Are you checking battery resting voltage, too? Does that voltage get to 12v or below?

What we found last season...
Being very stingy with battery power (furnace set at 65*F, nightly lows ~32*F), our 2, group 27 RV/Marine (not true deep cycle) batteries would run the furnace 2.5 mornings. (That 3rd morning was after driving ~6 hours the afternoon of the 2nd day. In no way did that recharge my batteries enough for a 3rd morning.)

Please let us know how it goes for you (voltage, how often the furnace runs) and the batteries you are using (I have been disappointed with my W*mart batteries, but I was in a rush and W*mart had them in stock at a good price).
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SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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