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Old 10-27-2016, 10:19 PM   #1
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Battery help for 5th whl

I have a 2016 Chaparral lite 29MKS. Currently, I have two factory installed 12v Interstate batteries. They are the SRM-27 (Specs cca 600, mca750 & RC160). I know I have to continue the batteries in Parallel Can I add one more identical battery or do I have to add two for balance? The RV guy said I have to stay in multiples of two? These batteries are around $120 ea.

I will be boondocking at 8800' The overnight lows are around freezing. I Have a Champion 3500/4000 w generator to recharge.

Your input and suggestion are appreciated.
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Old 10-27-2016, 10:26 PM   #2
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Add one of exactly the same size and brand. Your only increasing available amps, not voltage.
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Old 10-27-2016, 10:46 PM   #3
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By the way, FR doesn't install the batteries, in their towables, the dealer does.
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Old 10-28-2016, 12:23 AM   #4
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As stated, no problem with an odd number of 12 volt batteries. When batteries of different ages are put in a parallel configuration, the efficiency of charging the newer vs. the older can reduce the full charging potential. The rule is never to mix older and newer batteries in a "Bank" of multiple batteries, but if your older batteries have a date code of less than a year old and are the same size and brand, I would not be very concerned.
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Old 10-28-2016, 12:09 PM   #5
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I added a third 12V battery in a previous set up and separated them with a Perko switch. That way I would always have a backup that wasn't being used. If I was confident or had the generator setup like you you can put the Perko to "ALL" and run off all three if you want.
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Old 10-28-2016, 12:18 PM   #6
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It doesn't matter much in parallel, as long as they are the same type (same specs), capacity, and relative age. It makes a big difference in series.
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Old 10-28-2016, 04:40 PM   #7
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Here a diagram for 3 battery`s that allowed you to make any combinations you chose.
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Old 10-29-2016, 08:54 AM   #8
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Well, I'm going to add an identically 12v Interstate battery. However, I learned the way to go is 6v golf cart batteries. More amp hours and better life and deep discharge recovery. I just wasn't prepared to spend that much this weekend to convert to a 6v system. Each battery was $150 (I would start with 4) and then I'm sure I would have to invest in a different charging/converter system. Besides, adding one 12 v in parallel will only take about 30 minutes. When these batteries die, I'll think about it.
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Old 10-29-2016, 09:06 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MurphyIRE View Post
Well, I'm going to add an identically 12v Interstate battery. However, I learned the way to go is 6v golf cart batteries. More amp hours and better life and deep discharge recovery. I just wasn't prepared to spend that much this weekend to convert to a 6v system. Each battery was $150 (I would start with 4) and then I'm sure I would have to invest in a different charging/converter system. Besides, adding one 12 v in parallel will only take about 30 minutes. When these batteries die, I'll think about it.
If you are doing allot of boondocking or have an inverter running appliances then switching to 6V may be the way to go, but for most setups the 12V supplied with the rig will work fine.
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Old 10-29-2016, 09:37 AM   #10
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I bit the bullet shortly after getting my rig home. I now have 4 6V Interstates plus fed by Go Power solar.
We do a lot of boondocking so this made sense for us.
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Old 10-29-2016, 02:33 PM   #11
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I do boondocking all the time and I never run out of power with 3 Battery tipe 27. and for securety, I power my frig with inverter when I drive to the camping site.
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Old 10-30-2016, 11:11 AM   #12
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Here are the batteries. Let's label the far right as #1 and far left as #3. First pic is a close up of #1. I noticed they have the return ground on #1. I have the cables to make the parallel connection to #3. Shouldn't the return ground be on the end battery #2 (Soon to be #3) and not #1. Here is a schematic from Interstate batteries (That's what I thought should be done) To me, I think it has not been providing full amp hours, which might explain the heavy overnight draw. Thoughts??
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Old 10-30-2016, 05:15 PM   #13
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MurphyIRE that is a lot of battery`s to charge at the same time but it is find
to supply the 12 v to the trailer.
Have you look at the diagram I all redy supply aboved ?
If interested I can explane all the combination you could do and a lot more efficient.
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Old 10-30-2016, 08:50 PM   #14
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You didn't know, but I'm old. That was too small. Now that I have printed a larger version, I see there are two isolator switches. Is there merit with depleting one or two batteries vs. drawing down equally on 3?
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Old 10-30-2016, 08:59 PM   #15
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Also, I like the idea of putting the fridge on an inverter. It's always in check mode when we arrive.
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Old 10-30-2016, 10:04 PM   #16
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No there is no problem depleting one or two batteries vs. drawing down equally on 3 Battery but yes on recharging these battery`s.
With the switch you can charge one at the time so if the park have time limit for using Generator here you go.
Also you can charge one battery with a external 12 v charger and the other tow charge with the TT converter and a lot more combinations
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