Add 2 additional coach batterys

[kenh0001]

I have a 2007 Dolphin 34 ft.and would like to install 2 additional coach batterys. My present batterys are located under the entry step and not enough room for any more. If I install them in the first compartment [under the inverter] what about battery gasses? Can someone tell me where National would have put them? Thanks

[kenh0001]

I have a 2007 Dolphin 34 ft.and would like to install 2 additional coach batterys. My present batterys are located under the entry step and not enough room for any more. If I install them in the first compartment [under the inverter] what about battery gasses? Can someone tell me where National would have put them? Thanks

[Mike H 2004 Dolphin 5342]

That is where National put them. I have the two batteries under the step and two more under the inverter. I dont think battery gases are a concern.

[Belgian]

I think NRV installed them in the inverter compartment on a slide out tray. There is ventilation in that compartment in the rear. I have plans to add 4 6V batteries to the rear of our MH between the gas tank & the trailer hitch. After talking with the people in-the-know here at IRV2.com they suggested running a #6 cable to the front batteries with a 60 amp breaker at each end. That's my project for this winter.

[kennersonf]

My coach came with the 2000 watt inverter package which includes four Trojan 105 coach batteries. All four are in the front compartment on a slide-out tray under the converter. It has never been a problem.

[wa7hra]

Ken, I added four additional Trojan 105's to my 2003 Dolphin 5342. In that year, National installed
four 105's in the comapartment ahead of the passenger entry door and none under the step on the LX
version. The four batteries were on a slide out Kwickee battery tray. The compartment had two cutouts
in the back wall about 4 x 6 inches for ventilation.

I followed their lead when I added batteries. I put them in the same compartment with some modification.
I built a shelf of 3/4 inch plywood surrounded with steel angle to set them on, rather than placing them
directly of the floor of the compartment. The floor is made from the cutouts for the windows of the coach.
I did not feel that the material was strong enough to support the weight of the batteries. The shelf is
attached to the sides of the compartment with 1/4 inch bolts.

In addition, I built a second shelf to be installed about 17 inches above the battery shelf to support
inverters, etc. I sealed the front edge of the shelf with the same material that the compartment doors
are sealed with, and caulked the other three edges. This effectively keep the lighter than air hydrogen
from moving into the area where relays closing can create sparks. "Remember the Hindenburg". The only
problem this created was that the door could not close over the air struts, which I now have to remove
to get them out of the road. It's also a little tight when I check the battery fluid level. I have to
use a mirror to look into the batteries.

Other than adding some hardware cloth over the ventilation cutouts to keep the mice out, the system is
still in place without modification.

Bob, wa7hra

[M&EM]

Ken look here; http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showga...500&ppuser=337

I added 4 105 batteries in the forward compartment below the inverter in addition to the 2 under the step.

I tried adding 4 105 s on my last MH a class C behind the fuel tank and found them heavy enough back there to affect steering.

If these extra batteries are for a inverter of any significant power level, pretty heavycables will be needed.

Marty

[two2go]

When I was on my back under my coach reinforcing the floor of the OEM battery compartment (due to degradation of the fiberglass), it seemed to me that with some creative fabrication and welding, a slide-out tray could be built under the inside step well to hold multiple batteries. There is plenty of open space behind the rear wall of the current battery compartment between the frame and the coach floor. I don't want to sacrifice my storage compartment space. Maybe someday??

[kenh0001]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That is where National put them. I have the two batteries under the step and two more under the inverter. I dont think battery gases are a concern. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you Mike H,Belgian,Fred K,Wa7hra,M&EM, and two to go. Ireally appreciate the numerous feedback.I will purchase a Kwikee battery tray and install them under the inverter Thanks again everybody Ken

[KTM Camper]

I don't think it is safe to put batteries in the same compartment as the inverter (or other electrical devices) without them being properly isolated/sealed and ventilated.

Does anyone actually have the condition from the factory of batteries and an inverter in the same compartment?

[kenh0001]

Hello KTM, It seems that National put them there as an option from what I am told. Perhaps some others will reply Ken

[Jeff H]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">My coach came with the 2000 watt inverter package which includes four Trojan 105 coach batteries. All four are in the front compartment on a slide-out tray under the converter. It has never been a problem.


Fred Kennerson
Yucaipa, Ca
2003 Dolphin L/X 6320 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
So does ours! And that's under the "inverter".

[kenh0001]

Thanks Jeff, for the additional information Ken

[coulter6]

I know this is an old post, but I recently bought a 2005 Sea Breeze LX on a Workhorse W22 chassis and want to add additional batteries. I have 2 house/1 chassis batteries under the stairs and a 1000W inverter on a shelf in the forward passenger side compartment. Currently there is a storage area in the compartment under the inverter shelf that is 17" deep and 34" long.

Does anyone have pictures of the optional National RV battery compartment arrangement that held the 4 batteries and 2000w inverter?

I'd also be interested in pictures of your conversions that added additional batteries.

Is the inverter "isolated" from the batteries, meaning is there a seal in the compartment between the inverter and batteries?

Thanks,
Bob C.