Post by: robodad on June 01, 2011, 10:01:18 AM
Thanks !!!
Post by: Woodchuck on June 01, 2011, 10:14:09 AM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on June 01, 2011, 10:20:49 AM
Post by: turkey buster on June 01, 2011, 10:24:40 AM
chuck
Post by: Special T on June 01, 2011, 10:31:12 AM
Post by: Woodchuck on June 01, 2011, 10:32:09 AM
Post by: robodad on June 01, 2011, 10:49:25 AM
Post by: Woodchuck on June 01, 2011, 10:52:46 AM
Post by: sakoshooter on June 01, 2011, 11:17:59 AM
Post by: Woodchuck on June 01, 2011, 11:28:15 AM
Post by: robodad on June 01, 2011, 12:04:06 PM
You can do basically the same thing with 12 volt batteries for a lot less money. Hook two 12 volt batteries in parallel(pos-pos,neg-neg) to maintain 12 volts and you can run about 2.5+ times longer than one 12 volt battery. Even better if you use deep cycle batteries. I'd recommend gr 27 size batteries.
That is the configuration I have now and it sucks, it seems like I am constantly charging them with the generator. It may be a case of the inverter just never fully charges the batteries though so I think I'll hook up a charger to them and see how long they last. I still think I might want the extra capacity of the 6v
Post by: Special T on June 01, 2011, 12:12:43 PM
Post by: Buckmark on June 01, 2011, 12:30:24 PM
Contact backwoods solar in idaho, they can set you straight on what and why it works better, backwoodssolar.com...
Post by: Lincoln4 on June 01, 2011, 04:25:38 PM
The 12V side of life...
www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm (http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm)
Trailer Life Forums (go down to Tech Issues)
www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm (http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm)
IRV2 Forums
www.irv2.com/forums/f54/ (http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/)
Post by: predatorpro on June 01, 2011, 07:42:04 PM
You can do basically the same thing with 12 volt batteries for a lot less money. Hook two 12 volt batteries in parallel(pos-pos,neg-neg) to maintain 12 volts and you can run about 2.5+ times longer than one 12 volt battery. Even better if you use deep cycle batteries. I'd recommend gr 27 size batteries.:yeah:
get some deep cycle 12 volts you will be fine
Post by: 509er on June 01, 2011, 07:49:06 PM
Post by: THINK_N_ELK on June 01, 2011, 08:28:36 PM
And if you are storing or parking your trailer for a long period of time disconnect the main battery lead if plugged into shore power.
My hunting partner switched over to two 6v, he really hasn't given me any pro's or con's since the switch.
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on June 01, 2011, 09:32:34 PM
That's one of the negative things about electric fans on campers/trailers, versus the old catalytic heaters or can heaters. They use so much electricity. We always had lots of problems hunting in neg. degree weather in montana when the heater would stop, water would freeze up, etc.... I think we've finally figured out the cold weather camping tricks...
Post by: robodad on June 01, 2011, 09:55:34 PM
Quote
I think we've finally figured out the cold weather camping tricks...
OK now I need a list !! We don't do a lot of cold weather camping but I have 2 kids that bring their friends and the inlaws come sometimes and so on and the lights are left on (I bought LED bulbs) and the water pump is on a lot to flush and wash hands and the fridge ignitor and the hot water heater etc... so keeping a charge is imparitive if I want to continue to take them all out, they must have the ammenities of home or they just stay home bottom line !!!
Thanks for all your suggestions so far !! Good discussion !!
Post by: lee on June 02, 2011, 06:34:11 AM
I picked up a small 1kw generator( nice and light, quiet, and runs forever on a tank of gas) and a fancy battery charger. I plug the charger into the generator and hook the charger directly to the batteries. I don't disconnect the batteries from the RV. At 15amps it only takes a few hours.
Yer mileage may vary....
Lee
Post by: Rick on June 02, 2011, 08:12:05 AM
I went from 2 12V Interstate deep cycles to 2 6V Costco deep cycles and there is no comparison.
If you have a newer RV the converter will charge them just fine. My 2007 has a 3 stage converter with a bulk charge mode that will take the batteries from about 40% to 90% in just a couple hours on the generator.
Post by: Rick on June 02, 2011, 08:31:07 AM
However, the best way to get a good full charge in a short time is to plug the trailer into the tow vehicle (idling of course)and in 30-45 mins the batteries should have a good charge.
That would be incorrect. The charge wire from the truck to the trailer is usually like 12ga. Thats not very big to start with,by the time you factor in the loss from running that wire from the front of the truck to the trailer,you aren't putting much juice in the batteries.
Idling for 30 minutes will do a whole lot of nothing.
Post by: Buckmark on June 02, 2011, 08:42:19 AM
Also note that your vehicles alternator is NOT a battery charger and damage can occur if the battery (s) are really discharged...
Figure approx 6-8 amps from the vehicle to the rv batteries, better than the 2amps from the inverter.
Can also add a solar panel of 75 watts and get around 3-4 amphrs on a good sunny day..
Post by: robodad on June 02, 2011, 10:43:48 AM
Post by: Rick on June 02, 2011, 10:44:57 AM
Also incorrect, the amp output from your vehicle is much higher than the rv inverter/charger, therefore if plugged into the vehicle the rv battery will be given a higher rate of charge and will be charged quicker than running through the rv @2amps, most vehicles will charge at approx 20amps at idle mininmal load and can go up with increase in engine rpms to the max charge rate of 80amps+, some as high as 105+ output from the vehicles alternator, regulated by the vehicle, but remember that the rv battery will only take what is known as a "surface charge" and not a deep charge as a slow charge will do.
Also note that your vehicles alternator is NOT a battery charger and damage can occur if the battery (s) are really discharged...
Figure approx 6-8 amps from the vehicle to the rv batteries, better than the 2amps from the inverter.
Can also add a solar panel of 75 watts and get around 3-4 amphrs on a good sunny day..
Ok,lets charge my battery using your numbers.
My battery is 232amp hours. 50% discharge is 116 amp hours. If your vehicle is putting out 6-8 amps at the hitch it'll take 19 hours at 6 amps and 14 hours at 8 amps to charge the battery. Thats assuming you don't have anymore loss for a poor connection between the trailer plug and the hitch.
How exactly am I wrong when I said running your vehicle at idle for 30 minutes will do a whole lot of nothing?
By the way,the factory converter in my trailer puts out 55amps in bulk charge mode.
Post by: Woodchuck on June 02, 2011, 10:52:40 AM
What if I were to run 2 6v batteries and 1 12v in a parallel configuration, would that be ok ??Would not work real well because the 12v would be pulled down quicker and then will start to pull on the 6's. Same principle as diesel trucks with 2 batteries.
Post by: Buckmark on June 02, 2011, 11:01:36 AM
Sorry rick, i was refering to the post about only getting 2amps from the inverter, compared to more from the vehicle, not a bulk charger of 55amps, that is a no brainer.Also incorrect, the amp output from your vehicle is much higher than the rv inverter/charger, therefore if plugged into the vehicle the rv battery will be given a higher rate of charge and will be charged quicker than running through the rv @2amps, most vehicles will charge at approx 20amps at idle mininmal load and can go up with increase in engine rpms to the max charge rate of 80amps+, some as high as 105+ output from the vehicles alternator, regulated by the vehicle, but remember that the rv battery will only take what is known as a "surface charge" and not a deep charge as a slow charge will do.
Also note that your vehicles alternator is NOT a battery charger and damage can occur if the battery (s) are really discharged...
Figure approx 6-8 amps from the vehicle to the rv batteries, better than the 2amps from the inverter.
Can also add a solar panel of 75 watts and get around 3-4 amphrs on a good sunny day..
Ok,lets charge my battery using your numbers.
My battery is 232amp hours. 50% discharge is 116 amp hours. If your vehicle is putting out 6-8 amps at the hitch it'll take 19 hours at 6 amps and 14 hours at 8 amps to charge the battery. Thats assuming you don't have anymore loss for a poor connection between the trailer plug and the hitch.
How exactly am I wrong when I said running your vehicle at idle for 30 minutes will do a whole lot of nothing?
By the way,the factory converter in my trailer puts out 55amps in bulk charge mode.
Back to the OP, multi 6volts are the way to go if you can fit them onto your rv.....
As the 6v - 12v configuration hooked together, on any multiple battery configuration the battery with the higher charge will always discharge to the lower batteries unless you use a blocking diode setup which is a whole other discussion..
Post by: 6x6in6 on June 02, 2011, 11:59:45 AM
I opted for 12v Group 31 AGM's. AGM's are the way to go if sticking with 12v battery's is the way you go. I leave my camper plugged in all the time, the solar charge wire hooked up and have no overcharging issues. The battery people I have talked to before and after the purchase all said the same thing. "Not as good as a pair of 6v's but but G31 AGM's are the next best thing. And, with AGM's, never have to worry about overcooking them by leaving it plugged into 110."
4th birthday last month on these batteries and still going strong. All I do is dry camp so they get used a lot!!!
http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/31-AGM12V.aspx (http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products/31-AGM12V.aspx)
If you go 6v, Trojan has a 6v AGM RV battery that might be worth looking into.
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on June 02, 2011, 12:12:08 PM
Post by: Buckmark on June 02, 2011, 12:34:30 PM
SEALED BATTERIES Gel or AGM (absorbed glass mat) types damage easily from overcharge, and so should be used with a 3 stage charge control. Sealed batteries can be excellent deep cycle alternative energy batteries, cleaner and safer, but only if charging is precisely controlled. Since water cannot be replaced and hydrometer testing is not possible, they are considered special purpose batteries.
Post by: 6x6in6 on June 02, 2011, 01:01:46 PM
Standard equipment on my '05 Arctic Fox 990--------------> http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters.html (http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters.html)