Community Forums

DartmanK · 03-19-2013, 05:43 PM

Hello All,

Been searchingfor over three hours to no avail; so I will just ask you all directly what I am trying to find out!

Background: I recently purchased a 2003 Monaco Lapalma and it currently has 2 Interstate U2200 6V house batteries that have seen better days! So, after measuring the battery compartment and the fact the DW wants to do alot of boondocking; I realize I can get four 6V'ers in the compartment with room to spare.....off to Sam's we went. Just purchased 4 Duracel GC2 215Ah (please, no lectures on the brand; the $79.88 sold the DW!) and before the hook up is attempted I have just a few questions. I know how to wire them and what guage wire to use but what I cannot find is this:

1. The MH is equipped with a 145A alternator; will this be able to handle the additional batteries or will I need to upgrade the alternator to a larger one?

2. The MH is also equipped with a InteliPower 9100 Comverter/Charger, Model PD9160A with an Input of 105 - 130 VAC 1000W and an Output of 13.6 VDC 60 Amp (Charge or Load) rating. Can anyone tell me where I can find information if the charger can handle the extra load or will I need to upgrade it as well?

Any and all information will be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.

Cheers,

Ken.............................

halfwright · 03-19-2013, 05:59 PM

This opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

I think that whether or not you upgrade is dependent on how quickly you
want the system to recharge and your useage. It is not good to drain your batteries below 50% of a full charge on a regular basis. Your useage will determine what goes out and either charging sytem will put that back in. A higher amp system will put it back faster.

J Birder · 03-19-2013, 06:02 PM

Any size alternator and any size charger will "handle" any group of batteries. The difference is that a larger charger or larger alternator will charge your batteries faster. Conversely, for a given alternator or charger, 4 batteries will take twice as long to charge as 2 batteries.

Joel