Installing all new battery bank

[AKwanderer]

Ok, so I have a smaller Class C mh and I'm looking to add a battery bank and inverter. Now I know about wiring in a bank and all that jazz, but what I was wondering about was how to get the bank to charge properly and not over charge. So what would be the safest and simplest way to wire in power to charge the new bank?

[RJay]

What size battery bank do you have? A lot depends on how you will use your batteries. Are you a regular boondocker or only use your batteries while traveling from point A to B.

[AKwanderer]

Currently I have no bank and one deep cycle for the house. I'm looking at adding two batteries, on their own separate circuit, to run an inverter in there. I will be full time boondocking once I get everything squared away.

[RJay]

So if I understand correctly, you have one 12 volt house battery and you are going to add two more. Since your going to be boondocking I would suggest maximizing your battery storage area and install the largest battery bank it will hold. Also get an inverter with a battery charger and connect it so it uses the capacity of all your coach batteries. To determine the size of your inverter you will need to decide what AC load(watts) you want to run from your batteries.

[wa8yxm]

If you wire the new bank in parallel with the existing house batteries, it will be charged (properly one hopes) by the existing charger systems, however it will take longer both to recharge and to stop charging.

Now the "one hopes" is a reference to the converter/charger in your unit.. If the inverter is a combo unit (Inverter/charger) then odds are very good it will do it properly.

If it's a Magnek 6300 or somethign like that.. I'd recommend an upgrade, perhaps a Progressive Dynamics 9200 type.

[AKwanderer]

I was considering having the new batteries on their own separate circuit but I've decided on adding a kill switch between my house and vehicle so I don't run the vehicle dead by mistake. So rather than have one battery for the house 12v and 2 for the 110v inverter I'm just going to have 3 run the 12v and inverter. I currently don't have an inverter on there and I'm already looking at some 1500-2000w inverter as my needs are fairly small.

[FLYTYER]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKwanderer I was considering having the new batteries on their own separate circuit but I've decided on adding a kill switch between my house and vehicle so I don't run the vehicle dead by mistake. So rather than have one battery for the house 12v and 2 for the 110v inverter I'm just going to have 3 run the 12v and inverter. I currently don't have an inverter on there and I'm already looking at some 1500-2000w inverter as my needs are fairly small.

I strongly suggest you check this LINK and read the FAQ's and check this LINK before you go too far and waste money on the wrong items. How do you intend to power the charger when boondocking? You also need to make an assessment of just how many amp-hours you need each day & night. That will tell you what size battery bank you need and what size inverter you may need. Do not forget those phantom 12 volt loads that suck small amounts of current...thermostats, furnaces, radios, refrigerators as well, propane leak detectors, TV antenna amplifiers, etc, etc..Think also about preventing fresh food from spoiling. Have you read thru the Boondocking section near the top of the IRV2 forum?

As a suggestion you need to balance your estimated boondock time and electrical power needs against what you may need to have a rewarding experience. I know of people who boondock 100% of the time, but they invested $2500 in solar power systems and a propane powered refrigerator/freezer

[John Hilley]

From what you are saying, it sounds like you currently have only one battery that is both for starting and the house. Most Class Cs have two batteries with an isolation solenoid to prevent discharging the starting battery while using lights and etc., yet still allow charging while driving.

[garym114]

The battery cable sizes will be determined by the inverter and charger size. Cable runs as short as possible. A proper three stage charger will not overcharge the battery bank. You have many decisions to make first. inverter, converter or inverter charger combination. How to connect the AC loads, sub panel or other methods. Your existing converter is to small. and on and on