I am in the process of planning to install (3) 160watt solar panels on my new WGO Adventurer and I want to change out and upgrade the (2) 12v house batteries with (4) 6v AGM batteries. I would rather not use the cargo space for the add'l two batteries and wondering if anyone has attached a tray/cabinet, etc underneath the chassis. Since AGM's are mtc free I would think installing them out of the way would be a good way to save some cargo space...?
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2009 WGO Tour 40TD
2012 Honda Fit Sport 5sp
Saddlebrooke, AZ
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Does the 5-battery installation result in overheated batteries or excessive temps leading to shortened battery life?
Thanks in advance for any experiences &/or advice in this subject matter! (I'd thought about doing this myself - the physical tray space allows for it - but I wasn't sure about required spacing for ventilation/heat issues!)
The space in the step well looks too small, short, and hot for good AGM batteries like Lifeline L16s. If you have enough space between the chassis frame rails floor above in a wide enough compartment to you could lay 4 L16s like I did. My 2012 Newmar Bay Star 2901 had an 11"H x 25"W space over the frame rails to hold the 500 pounds of 4 Lifeline L16s and cables plus the space in front for the solar and inverter/charger controllers. I added fans for ventilation and AGS & DDM gear too. See the pictures for ideas and the 4/0 cable size.
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2012 Bay Star 2901, 2 ACs, 5.5KW Onan, 765W solar & Outback FM-60, 800 AH Lifeline AGMs & Magnum MS2812 + AGS + BMK, Koni FSDs, Safe-T-Plus, Super Steer Rear Track Bar, MCD Duo shades w/powered cockpit, remodeled galley, Sumo springs and 2008 Tacoma 4x4 toad.
Does the 5-battery installation result in overheated batteries or excessive temps leading to shortened battery life?
Thanks in advance for any experiences &/or advice in this subject matter! (I'd thought about doing this myself - the physical tray space allows for it - but I wasn't sure about required spacing for ventilation/heat issues!)
No problem with putting bats together, as long as they are vented. Ventilation generally refers to preventing hydrogen buildup. AGM bats do not vent hydrogen so no problem there. Minimal venting is need to dissipate heat during charging but solar charging is usually pretty low level over several hours and less an issue than a large alternator or charger.