One or two batteries

[DonKarstedt]

The first thing I did when I got my ACE was replace the two 12v "Marine" batteries (which are not really deep cycle batteries), with two 6v golf cart batteries. I'm very happy with the increased amp-hours.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Thor RV Forum mobile app

[Bob Denman]

Question: Do most of these rigs use the same type and size of batteries?

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by Laco

If it were me, I would always opt to keep it plugged in. The converter will keep them fully charged and float the batteries when they reach the fully charged state. Much better for any battery to keep it as close to fully charged as possible, as long as you are using a 'smart' charger and do not overcharge.

Yes, Laco, that is what I used to do with the factory installed batteries. My RV service center advised that with these LifeTime brand AGM batteries (6 volt too) it would not be necessary or advisable anymore. I am giving it a try and so far he has been right.

[Mike in AZ]

I replaced the two 12V batteries that Thor provided with our Challenger. They had sat on the dealer lot for about a year before we bought it.

We now have four 6V Crown 235 golf cart batteries, and I’m very satisfied with their performance. I also added a 200 watt Renogy Solar Suitcase. Our first boondocking trip a couple weeks ago went great.

[Whirnot]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

How long are you running yours before recharging (Genny, shore or alternator)?

Have two thinking of adding two more myself

I have run up to three days using lights and misc loads, Water heater, vent fans etc, but no heat or AC. No problem at all.

[99dart]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I agree: do what you can to reduce your power usage, and see how that works out for you first.
But I'm still not going to bed without my evening cup of tea (microwaved!)

Microwaved, no less! Just heat it on the stove! :P LOL

[Whirnot]

Originally Posted by 99dart

Microwaved, no less! Just heat it on the stove! :P LOL

Yep, and make morning coffee with a percolator.
Takes a little longer, but tastes even better.

[Paul G.]

We recently bought a Type-C Thor 22B with a single house battery. Took it dry camping once and the battery drained in an hour with nothing on. Took it in for a number or warranty fixes and the seller is replacing a bad battery... that said I intend to add a second. Any good instructional resources for doing the parallel wiring? Couldn't find a thread here. (Sorry for the slight change of direction on this interesting thread!)

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Paul G.

We recently bought a Type-C Thor 22B with a single house battery. Took it dry camping once and the battery drained in an hour with nothing on. Took it in for a number or warranty fixes and the seller is replacing a bad battery... that said I intend to add a second. Any good instructional resources for doing the serial wiring? Couldn't find a thread here. (Sorry for the slight change of direction on this interesting thread!)

If they are two 12v batteries - you would be doing PARALLEL wiring - and not SERIAL... You want to add the capacities of the two batteries - and not the voltages.

Ideally you want two identical batteries (so if they are replacing one - good time to buy two) - and they would be wired '+ to +' and '- to -'...
Best practice would be to have the positive line from coach attached to one battery - and the negative line attached to the other... insures the batteries get equal use (electricity will always follow the path of least resistance - so if both + and - are connected to the same battery - that battery will support more of the load than its twin...)

[Whirnot]

Just hook a cable, pos to pos, and neg to neg.

[KVSFLA]

Two thoughts. We have a new Freedom Elite 30' with one house battery. Dry camping overnight with just the coach radio playing all night, water pump and a few lights off and on discharges the battery to nothing. I have also found that the coach radio mounted in the dash of the cab is only tied to the house battery. The coach battery charges from shore power or from the generator but not from the truck alternator. This doesn't seem right to me, but is that the way it is set up or do I have a problem? If so any ideas. Lastly I want to install a second house battery wired in parallel but would also like to install a selector switch (like you would have in a marine application). Has anyone done this or want to talk me out of this?

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by KVSFLA

Two thoughts. We have a new Freedom Elite 30' with one house battery. Dry camping overnight with just the coach radio playing all night, water pump and a few lights off and on discharges the battery to nothing. I have also found that the coach radio mounted in the dash of the cab is only tied to the house battery. The coach battery charges from shore power or from the generator but not from the truck alternator. This doesn't seem right to me, but is that the way it is set up or do I have a problem? If so any ideas. Lastly I want to install a second house battery wired in parallel but would also like to install a selector switch (like you would have in a marine application). Has anyone done this or want to talk me out of this?

I had the same thing happen to me, with a single battery.

Your coach’s electronic wizardry requires a minimum voltage to function. Without your house battery having any voltage, the electronics aren’t going to properly operate and allow charging from your powertrain. An easy way to tell is when you push your coach’s main switch and you don’t hear any clicking from the electronic systems. I jumpstarted my generator, to get things functioning again. As soon as I hooked up the cables, I could hear the coach’s electronics click. When I upgraded my stereo, I had the shop replace the original battery with 2 new, deep-cycle, Interstate batteries. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, they used the positive of one battery and the negative of the other battery, as it should be. Also, your coach’s main switch must be turned on for the powertrain to charge the house batteries, while driving down the road.

Lastly, Sterling Power USA has a bunch of marine-grade, 12V accessories for switching, charging, etc.

[carlgorski]

Originally Posted by Paul G.

We recently bought a Type-C Thor 22B with a single house battery. Took it dry camping once and the battery drained in an hour with nothing on. Took it in for a number or warranty fixes and the seller is replacing a bad battery... that said I intend to add a second. Any good instructional resources for doing the parallel wiring? Couldn't find a thread here. (Sorry for the slight change of direction on this interesting thread!)

You tube . My Quantum GR22 came with dual batteries, they hold up good. Installed 2 100watt solar panels also.

[carlgorski]

Originally Posted by axis earl

Then again... there is nothing much economical about a RV to begin with.... I just spent the $$$ having my two wet cell batteries, pieces of worthless crap that Thor installed, replaced with AGM 6 volt batteries instead. I now don't have to keep it plugged in to the shore power at home and just hit the "store" button.

I did same. But I put 2 12V AGM.

[Bob Denman]

I wonder what the O.P. decided to do?

[99dart]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I wonder what the O.P. decided to do?

It appears that was his last post! Must have gotten tired of us wanting to spend his money! LOL