Posted 2010-01-12 8:50 PM (#115178) Subject: Batteries 1 or 2???
Member
Posts: 27 Location: South Dakota
Putting a LQ together myself... How long can a guy camp with only one battery or should I go with two? And another question, am looking at deep cycle marine NC-24 120min and NC-27 160min batteries. The measurements are different in the two so I need to decide what kind and a single or double setup before I build the battery shelf. Thanks
Posted 2010-01-13 12:47 AM (#115185 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
If you decide on two batteries, Consider very hard on two 6 volt in series vs two 12 volt in parallel. The series connection doesn't have the self discharge issues between the batteries.
Posted 2010-01-13 6:23 AM (#115189 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Veteran
Posts: 236 Location: Little town in Pa
Just to reiterate what Gard said, I have also found that the blower fan on the furnace seems to eat batteries a lot. I can camp several days using just the pump and lights but once you start using the furnace the batteries seem to drain pretty fast. My trailer is a small 6ft LQ that is well insulated but the 2 batteries will only last about 2 nights at 30 degrees.
Posted 2010-01-13 7:57 AM (#115193 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
I would go with 2 batteries. Its always better to have too much than too little. Also remember you can take a generator and recharge your batteries during the day.
Best bang for the buck is the Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries -- if you have space for them. They are considerably taller, and won't fit in some compartments. 2 6s in series is better than 2 12V batteries. Longer life, more forgiving, will last twice as long. Cost in range of $125.00-$165.00.
Posted 2010-01-13 8:18 AM (#115198 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
2 are nice, but keep in mind if one shorts out it will take the other one down with it. Cost of replacement is double most of the time. I have had it both ways. If you don't pull a lot in the winter I would definitely go with the one group 27 battery. If you go a lot in cooler climate and are going to be running a heater I would look at 2. I've had both and will say that 2 batteries will not last twice as long as one good one. The 6 volt series thing may be worth a good look also and may be cheaper I don't know. I just never liked the fact that one battery starts getting bad and you have a hard time figuring out which one it is ,so you end up replacing them both for peace of mind.
Best bang for the buck is the Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries -- if you have space for them. They are considerably taller, and won't fit in some compartments. 2 6s in series is better than 2 12V batteries. Longer life, more forgiving, will last twice as long. Cost in range of $125.00-$165.00.
That right there is the ticket....of course it's what I run as well.
Posted 2010-01-13 7:09 PM (#115252 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
I use 3 batteries.
2 type 24's (because type 27 won't fit in the box) and a type 27. I use the standard dial RV battery selector and have the two type 24s on one selection and the type 27 on the other. Of course I can run all three on the both selection but the 24's will drain the 27 down to the level of the 24s. I have the 27 separated for two reasons. First it is a direct feed for my electric jack. I never want to worry about my jack not working. And if in a pinch I can flip to it and run the house systems as needed. I have never had any weekend dry camping issues and we seem to run the heat with blower quite often up here thru the spring and fall. Most all of our camping is dry camping.I do carry a generator for AC and morning coffee. I have the Progressive dynamics converter with charge wizard add-on so when I run my generator I can boost the voltage to a 14V+ charge state while making morning coffee.
I think the best battery set up GC or 12v would include a solar charging system. You then would not need a generator and could go green.
Posted 2010-01-13 8:07 PM (#115254 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Member
Posts: 27 Location: South Dakota
Thanks for all the replies... If I go with the two 6 volt setup can they be charged with a regular 12 volt charger and or charge with a converter that has a charger built in? I am looking at getting this charger Intelli Power Converter 45 Amp"Mighty Mini" The Compact All-In-One System 45amp...AC/DC Distribution Panel and Inteli-Power Converter with Charge Wizard®
Posted 2010-01-14 12:47 AM (#115260 - in reply to #115254) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by tralbos on 2010-01-13 5:07 PM
Thanks for all the replies... If I go with the two 6 volt setup can they be charged with a regular 12 volt charger and or charge with a converter that has a charger built in? I am looking at getting this charger Intelli Power Converter 45 Amp"Mighty Mini" The Compact All-In-One System 45amp...AC/DC Distribution Panel and Inteli-Power Converter with Charge Wizard®
The two six volt batteries in series is electrically identical to a single 12 volt battery. So... the 12 volt charger will do fine (the batteries are in series to the charger)
PS ... The two batteries must be identical for proper charging and use. Can't have a little battery in series with a big battery. Or old worn out battery and a new battery.
Posted 2010-01-14 11:17 AM (#115268 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Veteran
Posts: 229
trailbos, Definately go two batteries. I have a small LQ but big fridge and I read at night. I just barely make it on a long weekend (3 nights) with two 12 volt newer batteries. My early warning in that the fridge shuts down. Must be the fan because the fridge is switched over to propane. If you don't have solar (I don') or if you are not carrying a small generator to recharge (I do now!), you will probably have one of those incidents where your battery runs low and one of your safety alarms, sensing no power, starts beeping and wakes you up in the middle of the night and then you have to get up and hit the kill switch, leaving you with no power and no operable safety sensors. I'm thinking to go solar. Some of my friends can extended camp with out using a generator. They have the 2 6 volt system and a newer solar panel. I asked how big the panel was and they said around 18"by 36".
Posted 2010-01-19 2:15 PM (#115460 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Probably should be another post but since the battery folks are gathered here. Anyone run a CPAP breathing machine off of 12 V with a small inverter. Does it drain the batteries like a furnace fan? Any experiences would be appreciated.Barry
Posted 2010-01-19 3:47 PM (#115467 - in reply to #115178) Subject: RE: Batteries 1 or 2???
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Now this is something I can personally talk about!!! Hubby has a CPAP, with a 12v adapter to run off the 12v (think cigarette lighter) receptacle in the LQ by the TV. We have 2 batteries, and it runs fine off that hookup (it doesn't have the humidifier part on during this type of hook up) and we have been gone 20 days or so hunting, running the builtin generator for coffee, microwave when we were at camp etc. but all off while we were gone riding/hunting, Worked the whole time....have done this at least 4 different hunting seasons......if we pack in, a 12v battery with roll up solar charger goes, along with the CPAP.....he loves that thing about as much as he loves me!!!! it does not drain the batteries anything like the furnace does....
Batteries 1 or 2???
