Coach Batteries

[AccessMaster]

Time for new batteries for the coach.
Which is better 2 - 125 AmpHour 12 V Deep Cycle Batteries hooked in parallel or 2 - 225 AmpHour 6 V Golf Car batteries hooked in series? Or a choice not listed.

[bryanl]

see http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/ow...ry-config.html

for information about the series vs parallel question.

[AccessMaster]

I am posting a reply to my own question. Golf Car 6V batteries in series is the best choice according to a book I am reading on batteries. The problem is that they are too tall for the battery compartment. In fact the 12 V batteries grounded out against the frame when I installed them. For those who have the room and understanding on hooking them up go for the 6 V in series.

[dienst1]

I had the battery box lowered in my 1981 Excella motorhome so that the space was deep enough for the Trojan T-105 batteries. I moved the starting battery forward into the storage compartment and cleaned off all battery positioning angles from the battery compartment floor. The picture shows the proper wiring for series/parallel connection (two "banks" of 6v in series, paralleled for two banks of 12v).
As the picture shows the two outside batteries need to be dropped in first then pushed to the ends of the box. The two inside batteries need to be literally "shoehorned" in between the outside batteries. The new battery configuration powers everything 12v for two days and nights with power to spare.

[markjoandall]

What does the gravel do?

[dienst1]

That's the gravel on the RV space where I'm parked. Good depth of field huh?

[AccessMaster]

So the batteries are no longer enclosed in a compartment? Isn't exposing them to the elements potentially a problem?

[davidz71]

I guess you don't have to worry about outgassing. As long as the batteries are protected from being hit by road debris which might crack a case then you are probably OK. I looks like terminals are covered and I'm going to assume that all terminals have been sprayed with a corrosion inhibitor.

[Phaedrus]

Would this be the reason why none of my 110 wall sockets work, the battery does fine on everyhing 12volt (car). Wheree the inverter be, oh were oh were???//Is there one?

[dienst1]

There never was a battery "compartment". The box that the batteries sit in surrounds them on three sides. The pneumatic steps fold into the area where you see the ground (gravel). Yes, the terminals are sprayed with corrosion inhibitor.

[Astrodokk]

Are those batteries in the above pic sealed ones or can the caps be taken off and filled with water? I'm looking to replace my two coach batteries and the one engine battery. The engine one is sealed, but the two coach ones are re-fillable. The two coach ones are not even the same size or brand, and all three are corroded as heck. What brand do you all recommend. I've heard Interstate is good. All three are in the battery compartment under the wooden trap door at the entrance of my MH.

Edit: What is the switch I see in the pic for? Some kind of battery saving disconnect?

[zduke4x]

Will try to tell you what I have as 310 mh takes 3 batteries as I think yours may.

One regular battery to start motor with a knife switch you asked about to separate it or when switch closed put it in parallel with coach batteries. This is to safeguard starting battery being drawn down.

Two coach batteries that are deep cycle for longer life when depleting and recharging as coach batteries are subjected to.

I have found MH's to have a few little phantom draws that discharge things when sitting up, electric steps seem to be one, so a 2 amp trickle charger or a solar charger to keep up batterries if sitting for an extendended period recommended.


I also put a thin rubber layer under batteries as I personally think this helps.....jem

[zduke4x]

Locally here in Tampa, have friends in the same factory that makes Diehards and Intersates.....Specs are obviously different as far as materials on different levels and qualities of the same battery. Get what you pay for ....Quality Interstates have been found to be amongst the best.

[Astrodokk]

This is how it is now. I need to clean this up. I want 2 deep cycle and one sealed batts. Hopefully all the same brand.

Please tell me if the image showed up. Having trouble with my camera software.

[wingsofgold1]

Hello guys,
I'm new to the forum, so no one will recognize the name. I did some extensive research concerning batteries, and there is so much 'information' out there, some good, most is supposition rather than fact. I ended up going with a DEKA group, they make MANY,MANY different sizes and use a variety of materials. they specialize in deep cycle batteries, and they are indeed used for many, many things. the Interstate deepcycle/marine battery is actually a hybrid of a true deep cycle and a starting type battery. Expect cost to mirror quality, however, if you are buying 3,4, or 5 batteries (mine uses 6) then an industrial supplier normally would be more than happy to sell them to you at a large discount from retail.
Go here to read excellent info:
http://www.voltex.com/rvmarine.htm
jerry

[gvanman]

See my post under the thread 'Maintaining Your Batteries'
Cheers,
Dave Harris

[wingsofgold1]

Though not written with a lot of technical detail, your 101 is very good. It's a shame to have hidden it in a maintaining batteries threaf rather than a 'buying batteries thread'
jerry

[Astrodokk]

Did the pic of my battery set up show up in the above previous third thread? I wanted to show the wiring set up it has.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally posted by Astrodokk
Did the pic of my battery set up show up in the above previous third thread? I wanted to show the wiring set up it has.

If you can't see, we can't see it.
With other words, No.

[Astrodokk]

...but I finally got my pics to show.