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12-28-2011, 09:10 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kansas City, MO./Pollock, LA.
Posts: 1,556
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Battery Upgrade
I just upgraded my batteries from (2) 12V 115 Amp/HR batteries to (4) 6V 220 Amp/HR golf cart batteries. This almost doubles my output power from 230 to 440. I got the batteries from Sams Club for $78 each plus $9 core charge. I made a new battery tray with a 2" lip to keep the batteries in place. And pinned the tray to keep it from sliding when traveling.
I also installed a Trimetric 2025RV battery monitor. I can now see exactly how much is going in or coming out of my batteries. You can see the brass shunt in the left side of the battery compartment.
Solar panels are next, once I know exactly how much power I really need.
__________________
06 Hurricane 34FT WH W20 Chassis 8.1L 132K, Steersafe, Koni Shocks, DIY Trac Bar, Tri-Metric 2025RV Battery Monitor, 4-6V Batteries, Scan Gauge 2, Crossfires, 735W Solar Morningstar MPPT-60, WG T4 In-Motion Sat, XM Radio, 07 Chevy Malibu Maxx Toad, Falcon 2, Brake Buddy, Escapee
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12-28-2011, 03:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Western
Posts: 324
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Looks like a great first step
Always something to do when you have a Motor Home - Some times too much
How much PV solar wattage are you considering?
Have you decided on a controller?
The 2025RV lets you monitor the starting battery voltage in addition to the new battery bank.
Enjoy the new batteries - they should last many years
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12-28-2011, 03:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgscott4
I just upgraded my batteries from (2) 12V 115 Amp/HR batteries to (4) 6V 220 Amp/HR golf cart batteries. This almost doubles my output power from 230 to 440. I got the batteries from Sams Club for $78 each plus $9 core charge. I made a new battery tray with a 2" lip to keep the batteries in place. And pinned the tray to keep it from sliding when traveling.
I also installed a Trimetric 2025RV battery monitor. I can now see exactly how much is going in or coming out of my batteries. You can see the brass shunt in the left side of the battery compartment.
Solar panels are next, once I know exactly how much power I really need.
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Actually with your 12V batteries you had 115 amps available and even that was pushing it since they probably weren't deep cycle batteries. With the 4-6V you have 220 available since they should never (for best life) be pulled down below 50% charge.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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12-28-2011, 03:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,589
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Good Job. I would recommend you find a way to secure each battery to the tray. I've been over a few road construction stretches that would definitely rearrange those batteries. Better safe than sorry. 
__________________
2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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01-03-2012, 01:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Commercial Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Erath, Louisiana
Posts: 155
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MgScott4
Good looking battery tray. If I was you I would move the inside spacers a little bit and then have the tray linex sprayed. I had mine done and very happy, No rusting and if the batteries spill over. It will wipe off. I too think you need to strap them in like RJay said.
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01-03-2012, 10:16 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kansas City, MO./Pollock, LA.
Posts: 1,556
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I agree with both RJay and Paw John, and have added bungee cords (black Rubber) to hold them down.
When I made the tray I sprayed it with truck bed liner from a can I bought at Autozone. It has a thick coat and rough surface and should hold up well.
Thanks for the input.
__________________
06 Hurricane 34FT WH W20 Chassis 8.1L 132K, Steersafe, Koni Shocks, DIY Trac Bar, Tri-Metric 2025RV Battery Monitor, 4-6V Batteries, Scan Gauge 2, Crossfires, 735W Solar Morningstar MPPT-60, WG T4 In-Motion Sat, XM Radio, 07 Chevy Malibu Maxx Toad, Falcon 2, Brake Buddy, Escapee
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01-11-2012, 05:09 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,144
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Bungee tie-downs seem risky to me. There is a chance that battery acid will eat them. Also, there may be too much flex in them to keep the batteries in place when you hit a big bump.
__________________
2004 Tiffin Allegro 27.5 ft. P32 18,000 lb. GVW. 8.1 liter. Workhorse chassis built May 2002. 35,500 miles. 2012 Jeep Liberty Toad. RVi2 brake unit.
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