Can I separate 2 pairs of batteries?

[Steveeeg]

I recently purchased a 10 year old Class C Bornfree. On the drivers side there is space for two deep cells, but no more. I'd like to add two more deep cells. There is a storage bay on the passenger side of the coach that I am going to put a Magnum inverter in. I'd like to add two deep cycles so that I would have a total of four. My plan would be to buy 4 new 6 volt golf cart batteries. There would be about 6 feet of separation between the two sets of batteries. The problem is that I am getting answers all over the map about whether this is a good idea. Several RV tech and sales people have said I can do it if I use suffeciently heavy wire. The Magnum tech guy told me that it is not a good idea because even with really heavy gauge wire, the batteries would drawn down differently.

What do you all think? Is this something that can be done in such a way that I am not harming the battery set and in such a way that I am not reducing the power available from the battery set?

Thanks,

Steve

[wa8yxm]

Short answer: YES

Longer answer: I have read of others on here doing it. Though the distance is different I do it myself. Just make sure you use nice heavy cable to link them.

[GaryKD]

Hi Steveeeg,
Welcome to iRV2. My vote is for what wa8yxm said.

[ralper]

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INSTALL ANY ELECTRICAL UNIT IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT WITH BATTERIES !!!!! Not solar controler or inverter or charger. Hydrogen gas can and does explode and burn.

Yes you can separate the batteries but run 2/0 wire to connect them.
Put the inverter and any other electrical unit in another space from the batteries.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INSTALL ANY ELECTRICAL UNIT IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT WITH BATTERIES !!!!! Not solar controler or inverter or charger. Hydrogen gas can and does explode and burn. Yes you can separate the batteries but run 2/0 wire to connect them. Put the inverter and any other electrical unit in another space from the batteries.

Agree..

And.. make sure there is some sort of ventilation for the batteries..

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INSTALL ANY ELECTRICAL UNIT IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT WITH BATTERIES !!!!! Not solar controler or inverter or charger. Hydrogen gas can and does explode and burn. Yes you can separate the batteries but run 2/0 wire to connect them. Put the inverter and any other electrical unit in another space from the batteries.

Right on! Furthermore, the compartment containing flooded wet cell batteries should be vented to the outside to prevent the buildup of hydrogen gas. Most storage compartments are too well sealed.

[Ray,IN]

Consider using welding cable instead of standard electrical wire, it is more flexible and easier to work.