6v Battery(s) in Rockwood 8289WS

Appalachian Ed · 11-27-2015, 05:15 PM

I would like to put two 6v batteries (in series) in my 8289WS. My question is placement. The 5er came with 1 12v battery in a box with a vent hose. How have you mounted yours (and I assume you stayed in the front compartment where the original battery was placed)? How important is the venting? Did you find a single battery mount box that would hold 2 6v's you could vent with the existing tube or did you add a second box and second vent tube?

Any specific battery brand/size recommendations are appreciated although I know there are plenty of posts discussing that subject.

Thanks

kcjoe1 · 11-27-2015, 05:44 PM

Appalachian Ed, I put a second 12 volt battery next to the original one in it's own battery box with the vents tied together with a tee. I plan on changing over to 6 volt batteries when my 12 volt batteries die. It did make a huge difference when I added the the second battery and should make a big difference when I go to the 6 volt batteries. I also plan on a solar panel setup down the road. I'm not sure which one yet though because they keep getting better all the time. By the way, the plug I used to tie the batteries together was bought at NAPA.

Witch Doctor · 11-27-2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appalachian Ed

I would like to put two 6v batteries (in series) in my 8289WS. My question is placement. The 5er came with 1 12v battery in a box with a vent hose. How have you mounted yours (and I assume you stayed in the front compartment where the original battery was placed)? How important is the venting? Did you find a single battery mount box that would hold 2 6v's you could vent with the existing tube or did you add a second box and second vent tube?

Any specific battery brand/size recommendations are appreciated although I know there are plenty of posts discussing that subject.

Thanks

I added a 12v to mine and put it on the opposite end, I wanted to even out the load, still tee them together to vent. If you use wet cell you need a box, other then that you would take the chance of any gases in the compartment which could eat stuff up....

Appalachian Ed · 11-27-2015, 06:24 PM

Thanks. Mine is new and the thought of simply adding a second 12v is still running through my mind, then like you Kcjoe1 switching to 6v when they fail. The battery that came with it is a Interstate 24. I hate to purchase a second battery that is not high up on my respect list. It seems like both of yours are holding up well. What brand and type do you have? Have either of you installed an inverter to power a/c devices when not on shore or generator?

Witch Doctor · 11-27-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appalachian Ed

Thanks. Mine is new and the thought of simply adding a second 12v is still running through my mind, then like you Kcjoe1 switching to 6v when they fail. The battery that came with it is a Interstate 24. I hate to purchase a second battery that is not high up on my respect list. It seems like both of yours are holding up well. What brand and type do you have? Have either of you installed an inverter to power a/c devices when not on shore or generator?

I have not and use the interstate. If I was going to install an inverter I would use 6 volt. I'm a so called glamper not a camper. My batteries are 4 years old and after 48 hrs not plugged in I'm still reading betwwen 12.6 and 12.7. I like the 12v system if one go's out I still have power to where with 6 v your just dead in the water. Just my opinion....

Appalachian Ed · 11-27-2015, 09:16 PM

One more question. Where did you find the materials to split the venting tube? Is that something I can pick up at Lowes?

kcjoe1 · 11-27-2015, 09:59 PM

Menard had it here in Minnesota. It was a tee that was made to use with sump pump tubing.

tahoe1840 · 11-28-2015, 05:55 PM

Hi, I just did this in our Flaggstaff 8528RKWS 5th wheel. First the six volt batteries are taller so you'll have to replace your boxes. I bought generic golf cart battery boxes and modified them to adapt to venting using PVC pipe etc. All of which is available at Lowes or Home Depot. Tubing to attach to the boxes for venting are also readily available. I mounted the 2 boxes side by side in the fron compartment. I then went the distance and bought high quality Trojan Golf Cart 6 volt batteries. What an amazing difference from my dealer supplied 12 volt batteries! Venting is important considering you are sleeping directly above these batteries.
Further we bought a Renogy suitcase solar panel system that works great too. Do a Google for them. Any questions I'd be glad to answer.

Appalachian Ed · 11-28-2015, 10:31 PM

How about your chargers? Do you all use the original factory chargers? The Rockwood 8289ws comes with a 55amp charger. This seems middle of the road from what I am reading. Is this still efficient and is this a "smart charger"? I have not been able to find out from Internet research.

I am leaning towards a hard wired inverter with the transfer switch (no charge, keep using the OEM charger). What inverter do y'all use?

OldBob · 11-29-2015, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appalachian Ed

I would like to put two 6v batteries (in series) in my 8289WS. My question is placement. The 5er came with 1 12v battery in a box with a vent hose. How have you mounted yours (and I assume you stayed in the front compartment where the original battery was placed)? How important is the venting? Did you find a single battery mount box that would hold 2 6v's you could vent with the existing tube or did you add a second box and second vent tube?

Any specific battery brand/size recommendations are appreciated although I know there are plenty of posts discussing that subject.

Thanks

Ed,

I totally agree with another poster about replacing your 12v batteries with 2 6v Trojan Golf Cart Batteries. We seem to have the lowest prices in the country for Trojan Batteries here in the Tampa Bay area. A Master Distributor is next to the St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport. I bought my 6v Trojan T-105s for $105 each. If you get down our way you can some money on your battery purchase. We got ours at:

Recreational Golf Carts
8801 66th St N
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
727-548-8460

blynds · 11-29-2015, 01:00 PM

Hi I have a 2010 CC 5th which i changed over to 2- 6v golf cart batteries and it made all the difference. I got a battery box made for 2- 6v end to end..... worked perfect for my location in the CC 5th . vented the new box by cutting out the vent connection on the old 12v box and screwing it to the top of the new box . No need for the y connection for the vent hose. this is a great mod and wish I had done it earlier
Bear

Witch Doctor · 11-29-2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blynds

Hi I have a 2010 CC 5th which i changed over to 2- 6v golf cart batteries and it made all the difference. I got a battery box made for 2- 6v end to end..... worked perfect for my location in the CC 5th . vented the new box by cutting out the vent connection on the old 12v box and screwing it to the top of the new box . No need for the y connection for the vent hose. this is a great mod and wish I had done it earlier
Bear

That's interesting:

silverback 35ts · 11-30-2015, 05:22 PM

Placement is not of any concern for the batteries, as for venting "VERY IMPORTANT" with the gasses coming out of the batteries all the time while charging, and all the electric wiring and relays and controls that run all over RV's there is to many issues with (explosions) which is why they are vented!
If you are going to move the batteries to a different location also be aware of the length of cable as you might need to upgrade the cables, there is a good amount of power going through the cables, so you need to remember that also.
Hope this helps Happy Camping

Blackhat6mike · 11-30-2015, 08:30 PM

If venting your batteries is a potential problem, you might want to give AMG batteries a thought. I have 5 AMG batteries and don't have to worry about venting them. Gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to know I'm not corroding away my frame or going to blow it up when I turn my inverter on. Just a thought. They ARE more expensive.
I stuck with the 12vdc bats as a personal preference over the 6vdc units.

Kenny kustom · 11-30-2015, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhat6mike

If venting your batteries is a potential problem, you might want to give AMG batteries a thought. I have 5 AMG batteries and don't have to worry about venting them. Gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to know I'm not corroding away my frame or going to blow it up when I turn my inverter on. Just a thought. They ARE more expensive.

I stuck with the 12vdc bats as a personal preference over the 6vdc units.

Absorbed glass mat.

AGM

Brentf · 12-03-2015, 10:35 PM

AGM batteries still require venting in case of an overcharge condition. They vent at 2-3 psi. In other words they do not need venting EXCEPT when you really need venting because something has gone wrong. Hydrogen gas is easy to vent, mixes readily with air so you don't heed a big vent but you need one. Overcharged conditions are usually accompanied with heat and an electrical problem which is probably when you don't want a confined explosive gas.

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