Community Forums

CARVAL Motorsports · 01-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Could anyone out there lead me to a page with a diagram for running batteries in series, and in particular, series/parallel. I am thinking about increasing my two coach 6v to 4 or maybe even 6 batteries. Any suggestions. Of course, there is not the room in our NRV Dolphin battery case, so I will have to locate the extra batteries nearby, possibly in one of the lower compartments. TIA

Route 66 · 01-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Mark Nemeth has some good info on his site.

TXiceman · 01-24-2009, 03:55 PM

A word of caution on locating the batteries. Batteries give off hydrogen gas which is explosive. The battery compartment needs to be vented to the outside.

Ken

Belgian · 01-24-2009, 08:19 PM

I am in the process of adding four 6V batteries to my 2004 dolphin. The original 2 6V batteries are under the entry step and vented to the outside. My plan is to add a tray for the additional batteries between the frame rails directly behind the gas tank shield and in front of the hitch. Then per some gentlemen here on IRV2 I will run a 6 gauge positve wire to the front batteries with 40 amp breakes at both ends. The ground can be at the rear of the MH on the frame rail. My plan is to make the tray removable so I can install it when dry camping and remove it to save the weight (280#). Not sure what the underside of your MH looks like, but you do need to keep them out of a closed bay like TXiceman noted.

DAN L · 01-24-2009, 10:32 PM

If you use agm valve regulated batteries such as lifeline batteries, the compartment does not have to be vented. you can install agm valve regulated batteries on their sides or even upside down if necessary.
i got my lifeline batteries from bd batteries on the internet. their price includes shipping.
my 2 lifeline 6v batteries are 13" tall and are installed under the stairs on their sides in series. they weigh 90# each.
use the find function of this forum and search for battery wiring diagrams. there are several good ones.

RV Wizard · 01-24-2009, 10:42 PM

Here are a couple links to configurations:

US Battery

DC Battery

If you do not have a vented compartment to install the new battery bank in and want an excellent product, look into AGM type batteries. They are pricey but have many advantages over the lead acid wet cell type.
Here are some other links for good battery info:

http://www.usbattery.com
http://www.dcbattery.com/faq.html#1
http://www.windsun.com/Batteri...m#Battery%20Charging
http://www.rvsolarelectric.com/sources.htm
http://www.batteryfaq.org

CARVAL Motorsports · 01-25-2009, 04:31 AM

Thanks everyone. This is just the lead information I needed. I was aware that if I chose a compartment that I would have to vent it properly. I was also hoping that like Belgian, I may find a decent remote area and I like his idea of possibly being able to remove and reduce weight when they are not needed. I am somewhat fascinated by what can be done with a good battery pack, a good charging system and an inverter. I never considered an inverter as I was always under the belief that they would draw to much current and drain the batteries to quickly. (I even have a 1000w Vector out in the garage that was gifted to me back when I owned my Class C!)
I am on this trail because we have a minor medical device (110) that needs to operate overnight, and this has caused me to uncomfortably have to run the generator all evening (while at the track), wasting precious fuel and logging hours. Of course I now realize that even with my twin 6v and a good 1000-2000w inverter I can eliminate this. Sure, my new plan is somewhat overkill, but, isn't that what we do best!!

I have been guilty also of ignoring my batteries, much like a lot of this information I have read suggests, so I have invited some problems myself.
Man, I enjoy this forum!

Forest Grump · 01-28-2009, 12:02 PM

I have room in my battery compartment for 3 size 27 batteries. I could put 6v in but that would have required 4 batteries. I do not want to use an AGM battery because of their expense and they can have charging problems too like run away.

I chose the Trojan J-185H which is a size 27 footprint but 18" tall wet cell 12v battery. My bay is 24" inches tall so they fit just fine. They are 215 AH each for a total of 645 AH and weigh 115# each.

I have a 3000 watt Zantrex inverter. At Quartzite while dry camping we used from 50 to 65 AH per day depending upon how much we used the Microwave oven etc. The evening temperature s were quite cool so the furnace was on.

I am very pleased with this setup and it performed the way I designed it too, perhaps better.