Community Forums

sadrand · 10-31-2013, 07:31 AM

Sorry to post another battery question, but there is so much conflicting information out there I want to get some specific advice to this question. I recently purchased a 2002 Beaver Monterey which is in great shape except for the batteries which are on their last legs. The coach has 2 - 12 volt chassis and 4 - 12 volt house batteries. The house batteries are all wired in parallel with a Freedom Combi Inverter/Charger. I am thinking of replacing the house batteries with 4 - 6 volt golf-cart type wired in series. Other than connecting them properly, is there anything else I need to do? Can I just put them in place of the 12 volt batteries, connect them (in series) to the coach and go, or are there other factors I need to deal with?

Luckiest Dreamer · 10-31-2013, 07:37 AM

Not a wiring expert but I believe you need to connect them in series/parallel. I also believe that you should have room for 8 6V batteries in place of the 4 12 in the same footprint.

vsheetz · 10-31-2013, 07:40 AM

series/parallel - not series

sadrand · 10-31-2013, 07:56 AM

Ok, sorry about not using the proper terms, I will be connecting each PAIR of batteries in series and then the two pairs in parallel since they will be essentially now 2 - 12 volt batteries. I get that, but, once I get them wired properly, is there anything else that needs to be considered? Any issues with the inverter/charger or the monitoring panel that I need to think about?

mel s · 10-31-2013, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadrand

Sorry to post another battery question, but there is so much conflicting information out there I want to get some specific advice to this question. I recently purchased a 2002 Beaver Monterey which is in great shape except for the batteries which are on their last legs. The coach has 2 - 12 volt chassis and 4 - 12 volt house batteries. The house batteries are all wired in parallel with a Freedom Combi Inverter/Charger. I am thinking of replacing the house batteries with 4 - 6 volt golf-cart type wired in series. Other than connecting them properly, is there anything else I need to do? Can I just put them in place of the 12 volt batteries, connect them (in series) to the coach and go, or are there other factors I need to deal with?

sadrand
One suggestion I would make is: be sure to make/change any necessary inverter/charger settings to match the new/different batteries.....(you will find that "how to information" in your inverter/charger manual, or online).

A friend changed from 12V deep cycle to 6V and did not change the charger settings on his Heart Freedom 20 inverter charger which boiled out the electrolyte and melted holes in, (aka: ruined!), his new 6V batteries in less than 3 months of constant shore power at a El Centro, CA. campground.

Mel
'96 Safari

jackfish · 10-31-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dreamer

I also believe that you should have room for 8 6V batteries in place of the 4 12 in the same footprint.

Not true. Two Group 27 batteries whether they are two 12 volts in parallel or two 6 volts in series will take up the same space and have roughly equivalent ampere hours.

Once properly wired you just have to make sure charging parameters match your battery configuration.

sadrand · 10-31-2013, 10:38 AM

Thanks. So we are really just concerned with proper charging. Fortunately I do have the Freedom manual, so I will make sure I look that over.

MattC · 10-31-2013, 11:06 AM

Are you an FMCA member?
There was a very good article about how to connect batteries a few months back (like early this year, or late last).

Lead/Acid batteries do not play well in parallel. It should be avoided.

Matt

Dr4Film · 10-31-2013, 11:20 AM

Two really good documents that you should bookmark for future reference.

They explain EVERYTHING you need to know about batteries and 12 VDC Systems.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

The 12volt Side of Life Part 2

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Ray,IN · 10-31-2013, 06:29 PM

X2 what Dr4Film said.

waroland · 10-31-2013, 07:41 PM

One suggestion is to take pictures of your current hook-up and make a list of all the wires and where they connect. I hear a lot about wires left off and things don't work.

KIX · 10-31-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattC

....................
Lead/Acid batteries do not play well in parallel. It should be avoided.
Matt

Why would you say that?

bluepill · 10-31-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIX

Why would you say that?

+1

My buddy's off grid house with a very large array of series parallel has worked fine for over 20 years.

When all are replaced at the same time with the same size, there should not be a problem. It's been done regularly all the way back to the "Delco-Light" private power plants widely used on farms beginning in 1916.