1 Battery?!

[pokyjoe48]

We just bought a 2018 Rockwood 2618vs ultra lite and didn't notice at the time that the trailer only has a spot for 1 battery. I'm looking at other V nose trailers in the Forest River line and it looks like they all have the 1 Battery set-up. I like the trailer and want to put a second battery on the trailer but I'm having a tough time figuring where the heck to put it? And if there's anyone with a V nose that has already added the 2nd battery. HELP!!

[Skyliner]

Assuming you have underbed storage, install 2 AGM batteries there.

[pokyjoe48]

The only problem with that is, the trailer is a rear bedroom.

[Oaklevel]

Just curious as to the need for two batteries? Do you boon dock?

[rockfordroo]

Almost all RV's come with only one battery. I'd have been more surprised if you'd said you just noticed it could hold two.

[bruin]

Check out one of my previous posts. There are photos of mine and several others as well. We find two 6 Volt batteries useful and have a generator to top up if they run low.

[Growman]

I have a 3006WK and built a tray from angle iron for two 6V batteries. I had to leave a gap between the batteries or the boxes would hit the V nose and the jack. The tray measures 26" long inside. I had to mount it as far forward as possible to clear the nose. Plenty of room for the propane access doors to open.

[pokyjoe48]

We do boondock on several occasions and all our rv's have had 2 batts. Sorry I haven't responded to quickly, with the eclipse and a busy weekend. I'm still toying with the idea of a single 100 amp group 31 lithium and maybe a little solar to recharge during the day.

[UT_Grandpa]

We have all seen the pictures and videos of exploding cellphones powered by Lithium batteries. These little jewels can generate enormous heat when discharging and charging if not done properly.

Your charger in the trailer is not too likely going to work as a Lithium charger.

I saw the "pointy nose" trailers on the lot when we were looking at a new TT but didn't look too close as we wanted to stay in the 25' range. Any room within 3 feet of the single battery you currently have? If so, mount a box, match the battery you have and get some #4 minimum or better #2 cable to hook them together. Make sure you take the load cables from the trailer/tow vehicle and attach the positive to one battery and the negative to the other. This will equalize the drain from both batteries.

On the solar issue, be sure to calculate your approximate daily usage from your load and then figure out how much solar you are going to need to recharge it is about 4-5 hours. For example if you use 30 Amp/Hours a day then you are going to need about 120 watts of solar to recharge this load in the time. Most days are not 100% sunshine and trees and clouds can really reduce the power output of panels.

I have a Lithium jump start battery that I really love because it fits in a glove box but I don't have any experience with a large Lithium battery. They do charge totally different (Constant Current vs Constant Voltage).

Good luck.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by pokyjoe48

We do boondock on several occasions and all our rv's have had 2 batts. Sorry I haven't responded to quickly, with the eclipse and a busy weekend. I'm still toying with the idea of a single 100 amp group 31 lithium and maybe a little solar to recharge during the day.

I'm fixing to buy a set of 100ah lithium batteries from Battle Born. The great part about lithium batteries is that they can be discharged deeper than lead batteries, weigh less, and charge faster. With the deeper discharge, you can get away with fewer batteries.

They're also particularly well suited to solar charging.

If you contact Battle Born with your converter make and model, they'll tell you how well suited it is for charging these lithium drop-ins. You might need an upgrade there, but a basic converter that's compatible isn't too expensive.

Originally Posted by UT_Grandpa

We have all seen the pictures and videos of exploding cellphones powered by Lithium batteries. These little jewels can generate enormous heat when discharging and charging if not done properly.

There are multiple types of lithium batteries. The type blowing up in cell phones have nothing to do with the ones being put in campers.

[babock]

Originally Posted by UT_Grandpa

We have all seen the pictures and videos of exploding cellphones powered by Lithium batteries.

The lithium batteries for RVs are totally different chemistry than the one for handheld devices.

Personally, I don't think the lithiums for RVs are ready for prime time.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by babock

Personally, I don't think the lithiums for RVs are ready for prime time.

Why not? I've been reading reports of people using them for years now in both RVs and boating.

The drop-ins are relatively new and that's where I'm not positive about them (but am also fixing to make quite an investment in the experiment).

[babock]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Why not? I've been reading reports of people using them for years now in both RVs and boating.

The drop-ins are relatively new and that's where I'm not positive about them (but am also fixing to make quite an investment in the experiment).

That's the problem...super expensive to be a guinea pig. I have heard of many failures so not ready to plunk down all that cash on something that has way less reliability than a proven technology.

I don't want to be up on the road to Alaska and have those things fail.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by babock

That's the problem...super expensive to be a guinea pig. I have heard of many failures so not ready to plunk down all that cash on something that has way less reliability than a proven technology.



I don't want to be up on the road to Alaska and have those things fail.

Supposedly the cost to longevity and number of charges brings the mythical "unit price" down to be more in-line with AGMs. But, it's hard to swallow $900-1,300 per 100ah battery.

But- as long as the drop-ins have a respectable BMS, they should be fairly solid.

What failures have you read about? The only thing I've really read is that they are a little persnickety with operating temperatures and it shortening their usable life.

[babock]

I was in the same situation as you and ready to get them but I changed my mind. I will see if I can find where I read reviews of failures.