Battery advice

[thinktankair]

How many of you are using the style of battery that came in the small box under the window? If you are using the original type of battery, how does it work for you camping?

[Minno]

We switched to 2 golf cart batteries years ago because 1 battery wasn't enough for us dry camping. We had 1 set that went 12 years and sold the trailer with them. With the Airstream we have AGM golf cart batteries. Pricey but Chris thinks worth the cost. 2 years and running so far. We have a tri-stage converter (smart converter) and leave the trailer plugged in all winter.

Kay

[n2916s]

I have the single battery under the couch in the box. It works pretty well for run-of-the-mill boondocking but with one battery, even though it is a size 27, I do have to plug in the generator at least once a day if the weather is cold and I have to run the furnace which is a big old amperage draw.

If I'm just using run-of-the-mill DC including the control board for the refrigerator I can go a couple of days without running the genset.

Enjoy the journey,

Mike

[idroba]

Those old very narrow 12 volt batteries you have on the '61 Bambi are really hard to get and are never the deep cycle type. Unless you are doing a museum restoration, I would change to another location and use a pair, rather than one, if at all possible.

[alclad]

i use the original battery box-the under the window box- to store wasp spray, small propane bottles, etc.

i have 2 6volt lifelines- each on the floor next to the wheel wells. it was labor intensive to do that, and that does reduce the tongue weight.

it works well for me

[samb]

I had the same small, narrow battery box on my '61 Safari. I took it off and built a larger box with the same basic design that would hold two group 24 deep cycle batteries and mounted it in the same place under the front window. Just enough room. The box is still outside, needs no special ventilation, and the wiring is all located in the same place so the hookup is easy. Somewhere on this site I have some photos of the installation.
Sam

[thinktankair]

thank you everyone. I think I will keep the duel box and use the small box for storage