Second battery question?

Papa-T · 08-11-2018, 08:04 AM

So we are going to be doing some extended dry camping in October (20 days). I was thinking about adding a second battery. My unit is a 2016 and I do know (at least with golf cart batteries) that you can’t add a new battery with older battery’s because the newer one will take all the charge. Don’t know about just adding one to have two in parallel. My 2016 is in good shape and I hate to have to buy two new ones. I will have my two Honda 2000’s to charge but thought I would add a second. Any thoughts?

Russb · 08-11-2018, 09:02 AM

Rather than a second battery my choice would be a good standalone battery charger and charge the battery using the generator. That would be quicker than charging through the converter.

4kids2dogs&RV · 08-12-2018, 07:19 AM

Might want to give a solar battery maintainer a look. Saw this a couple of weeks ago, has good reviews.

DuraVolt RV Battery Maintainer: https://amzn.to/2JEftAE

Use promo code RVPANELS on Amazon for 5% discount.

Papa-T · 08-12-2018, 08:05 AM

I have generator but just thought about extra juice at night for lights and running my fan all night. I also have a light house I like to keep on from dark till I go to bed.

JimHanus · 08-16-2018, 03:05 PM

I use 2 batteries through an A-B switch (We always dry camp). One is 7 years old and 1 is one year old, I don't have to worry about quality or model of batteries (although they match). I run one down until it needs charging then switch over to the second. I can charge one or both during the day if needed. Has worked for me for the last 10 years. Others may disagree but we like it.

Lgmmsf · 08-16-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa-T

So we are going to be doing some extended dry camping in October (20 days). I was thinking about adding a second battery. My unit is a 2016 and I do know (at least with golf cart batteries) that you can’t add a new battery with older battery’s because the newer one will take all the charge. Don’t know about just adding one to have two in parallel. My 2016 is in good shape and I hate to have to buy two new ones. I will have my two Honda 2000’s to charge but thought I would add a second. Any thoughts?

Two 6 volt batteries is definitely the way to go. If the original is not too old, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It might mean neither one will last quite as long as if they were both new.
I have two, plus a portable solar unit that I built. I never use my generator at all unless we want to run the microwave or toaster. we can dry camp as long as we want. The last trip, which was 6 days, the batteries were recharged back to 100% by noon, on average. We didn't use the generator at all that week.

Troddleboy · 08-16-2018, 04:25 PM

I installed 2 6volt Duracell deep cycle batteries in our cruiser. Dry camping is all we do.last trip was 7 days and never had to charge batteries. Even played the radio every night during refreshment hours. Found chatterbox on Amazon that both batteries fit in and connected to existing vent on camper.

Papa-T · 08-16-2018, 07:12 PM

So talked to a long time mechanic on golf carts, vehicles and RVs. So he said if the battery checked out in voltage that you can add a new battery in parallel. Mine (2016) checked out like 13.56 and the new 12 volt was 13.48. So they will be fine hooked in parallel. Like the picture below.