Batteries

[Golfinscorp]

winnebago 2001 journey 36ld
I currently have 3 group 31 130A/H batteries.
We never dry camp or use appliances that drain the house batteries. Question is can I get by with 2 group 31 130A/H batteries instead of 3 ???
Thanks
John

[Ray,IN]

Yes, but adjust your battery charger accordingly, otherwise you'll boil the cells dry.

[twinboat]

Sure, 2 will work. If you find some situations where you can't, add the 3rd battery.

You should set your absorb time to a lower setting, but even if you don't, you'll just get a half hour more absorb time then recommended.

The bulk charge is the same, as is the float voltage. Not a big deal.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Sure, 2 will work. If you find some situations where you can't, add the 3rd battery.

You should set your absorb time to a lower setting, but even if you don't, you'll just get a half hour more absorb time then recommended.

The bulk charge is the same, as is the float voltage. Not a big deal.

That depends upon the inverter/charger. If mine is not manually changed the bulk charge is 100A, far too much for 2 100A batteries. The maximum bulk charge should be 30% of lead-acid battery capacity.
reference: https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...eters-1913.pdf

[Mark_K5LXP]

Huh, I hadn't seen a battery spec 30% bulk rate until now. Trojan spec's 13% FLA and 20% AGM.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[Golfinscorp]

Thank you guys, I will give it a try with 2 batteries.
I just read I should turn off the inverter when not plugged in to shore power as this will deplete the house batteries, isn't that what the disconnect switch on the dashboard does?, and can I leave it off when driving?.

[Skip Y]

The disconnect switch probably does not normally turn off the inverter. Go to the inverter control panel and it should give you at least two setting - "off" and "override by charge". Use the "off' setting. Leave the batteries connected while driving, but you can leave the inverter "off"

[Golfinscorp]

Has anyone replaced 130AH flooded batteries (like mine) with these 100AH gels. What is the downside?

https://www.mightymaxbattery.com/sho...h-sla-battery/

Cheers
John

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Golfinscorp

Has anyone replaced 130AH flooded batteries (like mine) with these 100AH gels. What is the downside?

https://www.mightymaxbattery.com/sho...h-sla-battery/

Cheers
John

They are AGM , not gel batteries.

The downside is a net loss of 30 AH of capacity per battery.

[Golfinscorp]

Originally Posted by twinboat

They are AGM , not gel batteries.

The downside is a net loss of 30 AH of capacity per battery.

We don't dry camp so should I care about a loss of 30AH per battery?.
My concern is that they are suitable for my rig/inverter/charger.
Yes, after looking at dozens of battery makes/types I see I mistyped gel for agm.

Thanks
John

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Golfinscorp

We don't dry camp so should I care about a loss of 30AH per battery?.
My concern is that they are suitable for my rig/inverter/charger.
Yes, after looking at dozens of battery makes/types I see I mistyped gel for agm.

Thanks
John

They will work, just make sure you don't charge them at more then 27 amps per battery, somewhere around 80 amps for 3 of them.

If you never dry camp, just by 1 or 2 batteries.

[Golfinscorp]

Thank you, appreciate the help.

[Golfinscorp]

Boy, the more I look at possible replacement batteries the more confusing it gets!.
My rig has a Heart Interface Freedom 20 Inverter/charger P/N 81-0150-12
and a xantrex Freedom remote. (looks like this)
https://www.solar-electric.com/lib/w...ners_guide.pdf

My questions are: Which 3 (or maybe 2) batteries would work best, Wet, AGM or Gel. Would love to get away from maintenance if poss.
Here are some I have looked at in addition to those mentioned in my post above: (we dont dry camp)

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Max-Ba.../dp/B079YL15T2

https://www.walmart.com/ip/VMAX-MR13...OATS/449836041

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Batter...2845528&sr=8-6

Advice gratefully received.

[Mark_K5LXP]

Originally Posted by Golfinscorp

My questions are: Which 3 (or maybe 2) batteries would work best, Wet, AGM or Gel. Would love to get away from maintenance if poss.

You can narrow your search to AGM. Wet cells aren't maintenance free and gel's are not suited to RV storage use.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM