Community Forums

tradition 1 · 06-25-2015, 10:11 AM

I have a 2011 American tradition with 8 AGM house batteries. I never dry camp so is it nesserity to have 8 batteries in place. can I use 4. ?.

Skip426 · 06-25-2015, 10:29 AM

Welcome to iRV2.

Simple answer , yes you can go down to using 4 batteries ( I'm assuming 4; 6volt batteries

) provided they are hooked up correctly to provide 12volt power to the coach.
Many coaches out there using only 4 , including my own.

However, if you are in a situation , where you are parked for a lunch break , lets say , and your coach is set up with an inverter that powers a major draw item ; like the microwave; using the microwave could overheat the 4 batteries by a very rapid draw down and shorten their lifespan.
Important to understand all the , possible situations , that the manufacturer was accounting for , when the 8 batteries were installed in the first place.

tradition 1 · 06-25-2015, 10:48 AM

I think I can adjust my charging system to 4 batteries on!y when running my generator. thanks

Skip426 · 06-25-2015, 10:57 AM

Coach charging system may have adjustment for AGM , or wet cell, on the converter/charger/inverter, if it's an all in one.
Don't know about your coach, but my gen set doesn't have 12v output.
Gen set powers the converter/charger with 120v power and the C/C, charges the batteries, same as when on shore power.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-25-2015, 12:30 PM

Since you have 8 batteries, I'm guessing you have a residential fridge and probably 2 inverters, one for the fridge and one for everything else. If so, i may take some wiring changes to get both inverters on one set of batteries, but it should work fine. No worries about lunch stops - 4x batteries are plenty for several hours of routine use. My entire coach runs on 4 Group 31 AGMs.

tradition 1 · 06-25-2015, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Since you have 8 batteries, I'm guessing you have a residential fridge and probably 2 inverters, one for the fridge and one for everything else. If so, i may take some wiring changes to get both inverters on one set of batteries, but it should work fine. No worries about lunch stops - 4x batteries are plenty for several hours of routine use. My entire coach runs on 4 Group 31 AGMs.

Thanks.