Adding a Second Battery

[davesid]

Our 25' Safari has the battery case w/ room for one battery mounted side-to-side behind the propane tanks. Is there a way to make modifications so that we can add a second battery? We'd like to do more dry camping and one battery just doesn't last long enough--so we have to run the generator more than we want. Thanks.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by davesid

Our 25' Safari has the battery case w/ room for one battery mounted side-to-side behind the propane tanks. Is there a way to make modifications so that we can add a second battery? We'd like to do more dry camping and one battery just doesn't last long enough--so we have to run the generator more than we want. Thanks.

Davesid,

Bestconvertor.com offers battery boxes in several sizes. Take a look and see if one of them might fit.

Bill

[RDM16CCD]

Hi davesid

If you use the search tool you'll find threads about your question - some people have had custom boxes built and welded on to the frame, and some have added sealed batteries into the inside of the trailer.

My 16' CCD also only has one battery, which isn't enough for dry camping very long, or even overnight in cool weather if I need the furnace. Since I wanted to keep my trailer in original condition, I just take a second battery along in the back of the truck when dry camping - I can either switch them when needed, or hook them together with some battery jumper cables (I removed the spring clamps and crimped on some ring terminals) with the second battery sitting in its battery box under the A frame.

A side benefit of this is that I don't have to have the extra weight on trips where I go to a campground with hookups - total weight is probably more of an issue with my 16' than for your 25'

Bob

[BDandTTs]

I assume the current battery is recessed into the A frame, and consequently there is not enough room to mount an additional one beside it. Alternatively, and cheaply, the batteries could be moved on top of the A frame, if there is enough height available before they bump into the curve of the front wall. Metal battery trays are available to fit many standard battery sizes. A group 24 tray at a local RV store was $7, and black or white vented plastic battery boxes run $7-25. These plastic boxes will never win a beauty contest against a shiny metal box, however.

[davesid]

Thanks for the info. I assumed that this had been discussed many times in the past but apparently my searching skills are not good--as I couldn't find a discussion thread.

[boblind]

I moved the propane tanks right behind the hitch jack like the later models, welded angle iron where the propane tanks were to support two deep cycle group 27 batteries installed a battery selector switch in the front on the cabinet supporting the bed. This is on our 22' AS international. With the battery switch I can use them separately or individually, or completely disconnect them.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by boblind

I moved the propane tanks right behind the hitch jack like the later models, welded angle iron where the propane tanks were to support two deep cycle group 27 batteries installed a battery selector switch in the front on the cabinet supporting the bed. This is on our 22' AS international. With the battery switch I can use them separately or individually, or completely disconnect them.

I like this idea. I wanted to go to 6V batteries, but there is not enough room between my propane tanks and the front of the trailer. The only problem is trying to charge two independent batteries. I think I would have to use a battery isolator like they have on boats, or kluge up something myself.

Al