Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 01-12-2017, 07:15 PM

Hi, Has anyone added extra house batteries to a Damon Daybreak?

Unplanned Tourist · 01-12-2017, 10:21 PM

Not a DD, but I added 2 more group 31's to our old rig and it was great!! Could dry camp for near a week in summer and still had lots left. Just remember that was another 120+ pounds to pack around.

hawkeye1995 · 01-12-2017, 10:59 PM

Have not done it, but it can be done. Just have to watch the weight factor. Plus, I would have to weld some battery boxes onto the frame. Thinking about doing it myself, but just do not boondock that much.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-13-2017, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Not a DD, but I added 2 more group 31's to our old rig and it was great!! Could dry camp for near a week in summer and still had lots left. Just remember that was another 120+ pounds to pack around.

I also did a complete switch-over to LED's. Another great dry-camping tool!

Unicorn Driver · 01-13-2017, 07:51 AM

I switched all but two of my interior lights over to Leds and the patio light.

Welding another tray on would be out for me. Adding a couple of Agms to the nearby storage might be worth it. I already have my Solar charge controller in their. I have two 226mah 6volt deep cycle batteries and 200w of portable solar so it's a mediocre boondocking setup. It's OK as have an on board genny.

tompen · 01-13-2017, 01:21 PM

Not good to mix battery technology. AGM batteries charge and discharge different than flooded cells.

Unicorn Driver · 01-13-2017, 02:04 PM

Good call. If I did get Agm batteries I would not use the tray as I it's really hard to remove batteries from it for winter storage.

Unicorn Driver · 01-19-2017, 07:57 AM

I spoke to my truck shop, they said to move the wiring to a storage compartment is a big job and would be expensive (including the cost of Agm's). I am not going to bother with this, when I get my next rig battery location ease of access and type will be high on my list.

Sent from my SM-N910V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Oldrod 47 · 01-21-2017, 10:45 AM

Look for this thread in this forum "The Damon Project...aka the Diamond in the Rough!" Many mods to a 1999 Daybreak 3270 including adding additional house batteries. Thread ended about a year ago, always have wondered what happened to Damon Diva and the project

Unicorn Driver · 01-21-2017, 10:47 AM

Thanks for that, I will go check it out.

Sent from my SM-N910V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

PulShrk · 09-03-2017, 11:20 PM

Curious if anyone has an opinion on using "heavy equipment" batteries in stead of the typical
House batteries? Like if the 12v batteries for henhouse batteries are low draw, long-lasting. Wouldn't the camper have more sustained battery over all if the batteries were larger and could hold a larger charge for a longer period? I have one solar panel and two house batteries.
1998 Damon intruder 349
This is just the beginning of my investigation. No changes have been made yet and so far. I'm pleased with battery longevity, but haven't had a week out without power thus far.

twinboat · 09-04-2017, 05:04 AM

Spent my career repairing heavy equipment. The batteries in them are designed for high draw and short duration, to start big engines. Lots of cranking amps but short duration. The bigger the engine, the more batteries they use.
Our V12 Cat engines had 2, 24 volt starters with 2, 8D 12 volt batteries in series.

For a constant low draw use, electric golf car batteries are what you want. They are designed to supply a lower amount of power all day, on the course and then be charged at night.

PulShrk · 09-04-2017, 05:08 AM

I just finished reading the 12volt life and yes. It's opposite what you think. Instead of More voltage you want less over long periods. Found a place backwoods something or other (I've got it bookmarked) what a cool place. I am going to call them right after the holidays.

twinboat · 09-04-2017, 07:41 AM

Your comments are confusing, Voltage is a constant, around 12 volts nominal.

Amps drawn over time, ( Amp Hours or AH ), is what determins how long your battery will last before it needs recharging.
You recharge them when they drop to just under 12 volts, until they read 12.6 volts again.

Deep Cycle batteries have more AH per cell then start batteries.

Deep Cycle batteries have thicker plates, so they can be charged and discharged many more times, then start batteries.

Just installing a larger battery will increase capacity, but start batteries will have a shorter life, in deep cycle service.