Community Forums

semretired15 · 08-28-2015, 03:13 PM

Looking for advice in adding another battery to my new to me 2004 Thor Four Winds Chateau 24-T RV. Would it benefit me to add another battery, want to do boondocking camping trips. Also looking for a company that sells battery slider shelfes (my battery would be end to end). Thanks for any inputs.

BatteryPro · 08-29-2015, 05:02 AM

Adding another battery is complicated in your RV. Because the batteries will be physically separated, each battery will need to be fused, the power distribution wiring will need to be extended and very large wire usually needs to be installed depending on your charger and loads. If you use a flooded battery, you will also need to install a vented box to contain it.

You may want to look into a high capacity battery to replace the one you now have. Also make sure the battery is properly charged and you will get much more satisfaction from it. Your RV does not have a proper battery charger so after 1-2 years your battery capacity will suffer. The best cure for that is to use PV solar charging that can take the battery through proper charging each day. This will double or tripple your battery life.

Larry

semretired15 · 08-30-2015, 01:48 PM

Larry If I decide to add another battery. Both will be located end to end. In the same outside basement compartment. Just want to know if I attach the inside battery cable to the ground, and then attach a small cable the hot battery cable of the inside battery, then attach the same small cable to the ground of the the outside battery, then attach the hot battery cable to the outside battery will this work? If it does work, will I have to buy bigger cables leading from the battery to the house fuse box? Thanks for any reply.

BatteryPro · 08-31-2015, 12:24 PM

Hi,

I'm sorry but I can't follow all that you are describing. Can you make a drawing of what you are asking?

It's good that you can put both batteries together. For 12 volt batteries, the two battery positive terminals must be tied together. Same with the negative terminals. Your chassis frame is grounded to the battery negative so if you are asking if you can use the frame at any location as the ground for the batteries, yes you can. You must use the proper size cable everywhere for the loads and charging current your system can produce.

Larry