12 to 6 volt batteries

[idroba]

Yes, with lead acid batteries, the heavier they are the more capacity they have. Most golf cart batteries seem to have the same weight, right around 62# as mentioned for the Trojan T 105's. The Costco ones I have weigh the same, so should have very similar capacity.

[mjayjensen]

How is the battery box modified? Can you post a picture?
Thanks
Jay

[A W Warn]

My Safari has one 12 v battery mounted on the tongue. I've been thinking about adding a second battery. Is 2 6v batteries is an option on the tongue? I wonder if there is a manufactured plastic box that will work? Does anyone have photos of a tongue mounted 2 battery box with 6v batteries?

[idroba]

Originally Posted by mjayjensen

How is the battery box modified? Can you post a picture?
Thanks
Jay

See my post #18 on this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...fb-124829.html

[idroba]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

My Safari has one 12 v battery mounted on the tongue. I've been thinking about adding a second battery. Is 2 6v batteries is an option on the tongue? I wonder if there is a manufactured plastic box that will work? Does anyone have photos of a tongue mounted 2 battery box with 6v batteries?

Here is a good source of various sized plastic battery boxes:

Battery Boxes from BD Batteries

Since I had the original 2 battery box on my FC 20' I only had to modify the height of the original box and have not really looked at this site too much, but they seem to have a good supply of different boxes.

[TouringDan]

I bought two GTC-2 batteries from Sams about four years ago and paid $72 each. I can easily boondock 4-5 days and never have to worry about recharging them until I plug in after I am home. I carry my genny for insurance, but never need it.

I have thought about upgrading to Lifelines, but can't justify the cost. These common golf cart batteries do just fine for me.

Dan

[nwclassic]

We converted 12v parallel to 6v series 11yrs ago along with two 2 solar panels and a catalytic heater (to avoid furnace fan use if desired). The conversion was laborious (because we wanted four batteries), but worth it. Modifying the original boxes, installing new boxes with venting under the couch, replacing the converter to get three stage charging and ensuring that tongue weight was within limits gave us a very capable dry camping rig. We may add a small wind turbine for cloudy winter camping (but have a 2000W Honda generator for back up). The solar panels are capable of giving +8Ah. The conversion first used T105s. As another stated, the high price to replace Trojans required another choice which Les Schwab Tire Store provided 18months ago. We keep them under continual charge, check fluid levels 2-3 times a year (which is a necessary pain, given their weight and less than easy access). For full hookup campers, its probably not worth the effort and expense, but if boon docking is your thing, its pretty nice!

[scamp]

Most likelly why airstream uses 12 volt batteries is there available everywhere, just because it says deep cycle doesn't mean it's a true deep cycle battery is if its written cold cranking amps on the battery somewhere then it's not a true deep cycle battery (cca) real deep cycle batteries have thicker plates containing more lead and that's why they are heavier,Cost more and last longer, also some airstreams come with one battery and since all dc electrical systems are based on 12 volt that's another reason why airstream uses 12 volt batteries ,to cut inventory cost , also I'm sure they're all the same size battery my 2012 flying cloud had the same size battery as my 2015 sport,keeping cost down, I'm not a fan of interstate batteries. As after the first year they were no good in my 2012 ( first airstream) and they would not Warantee them , I remouve the factory interstate battery on my 2015 sport and put a real 12 volt sun extender concord AGM battery ,it's got lead in as it weighs 75 lbs ! And since its AGM battery you don't have to worry about it getting damaged from freezing like flooded batteries , although all batteries should not be left in a discharge state as there capacity will suffer, 6 volt batteries have higher amp hours but you need two and when put in series your voltage doubles but amps per hour stay the same as one battery, and in 12 volt batteries connected parallel as all factory airstreams the voltage stays the same as one battery the weakest 12 volts and the amps per hour double the rating on one battery , and since airstream is suppose to be a high end trailer most people go for full hook ups at campgrounds and the batteries are not used so this is another reason why you get less capacity batteries with less weight to tow around. I'm not trying to offend people that take full hook ups as We're all different as I do more boondocking then full hook ups , I also still enjoy tent camping on your scooter as we do 40% of our season of camping in a ultra light tent on our scooter,I guess this is why we have only the 16 footer sport airstream

[idroba]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

My Safari has one 12 v battery mounted on the tongue. I've been thinking about adding a second battery. Is 2 6v batteries is an option on the tongue? I wonder if there is a manufactured plastic box that will work? Does anyone have photos of a tongue mounted 2 battery box with 6v batteries?

Here is another battery box source:

Dual Group Size GC2 Battery Box - Remy Battery

[Florida 55]

If you would like a brushed aluminum battery box to match the Airstream, below is a link to a resource. Also polyethylene boxes.

Brushed Aluminum Battery Boxes - Best Converter

[BigButtUgly]

2 each T-105s get my vote. Size the wires correctly.

[Danny Bell]

I have a 1966 Ambassador. I'm currently using (1) 12 battery. My question is : Does anyone know the weight capacity in my battery storage compartment ? My existing battery resides under one of the twin beds that is accessible from the outside of the trailer or from the inside, under the bed. I know the advantages of (2) 6 volt batteries in series...I'm just a affraid of the added weight in the compartment.
Thanks, Dan

[srpuywa]

you might look into getting a marine battery setup - they are better than auto batteries

[paiceman]

I ran a golf cart (car) company for years. Most golf carts today use 4 12v deep cycle batteries. Despite what the stats say, Trojain makes the best golf car battery. I know, we had numerous failures when we went with three other brands in an effort to cut product costs and before I retired went back to T and as far as I know limited problems. The posts saying 6v so far are pretty accurate. What they give you is "more fuel in the tank" as opposed to 12v.

Cost is a major factor in the batteries placed in golf cars, during the industries problem years - about five or so, each of the three major companies replaced under warranty MILLIONS of dollars worth of batteries destroyed by inappropriate charging systems.

We have 2 AGI in our AS. Keep them in and charged by factory solar. So far they work. For me, knowing what I do know I don't think I'd bother re configuring battery compartments etc. Others have done so with great success, but batteries fail and we just build the replacement into our budget.

Be Well

Bud