Boondocked: How long should battery power last??

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by babock

Yep...it would take literally a month.

It all depends on your tow vehicle, how it is setup, and the status of the batteries involved. There is no hard and fast rule that covers all vehicles. My truck came with 2 alternators, one has an isolated circuit for snow plow, trailer, etc. It charges non TV batteries much faster than a one alternator setup.

[babock]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

It all depends on your tow vehicle, how it is setup, and the status of the batteries involved. There is no hard and fast rule that covers all vehicles. My truck came with 2 alternators, one has an isolated circuit for snow plow, trailer, etc. It charges non TV batteries much faster than a one alternator setup.

I am talking about the guy who is getting 12.9 volts.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by babock

That isn't even up to a float level voltage. Probably just a few mA at best so while it is charging, it is barely charging at all.

A couple mA is better than nothing but I suspect it's more than that.

Say what you want about TV charging systems and their output.
I've seen on more than one occasion where a dealer has hooked their lot vehicle to a stock unit in the lot and run the jacks and opened the slides using nothing but the 7 pin output of the truck. No battery at all.

[babock]

Originally Posted by 5picker

A couple mA is better than nothing but I suspect it's more than that.

Say what you want about TV charging systems and their output.
I've seen on more than one occasion where a dealer has hooked their lot vehicle to a stock unit in the lot and run the jacks and opened the slides using nothing but the 7 pin output of the truck. No battery at all.

And many TVs would be that way and will charge the battery. Depends on that particular TV, how much voltage drop that TV has at all it's connectors, wire gauge...

A couple mAs is pretty much worthless and the person who has 12.98V at his battery with his TV connected has that exact scenario.

[quicky06]

Just to add more actual data to the conversation. My 2016 f 150 3.5 eco boost with max tow package. I also have a victron battery monitor with Bluetooth capabilities. While towing this weekend I had 1.3 amps measured going to the batteries. My cameras, Wi-Fi, and fridge draw under 2 amps. So the truck was supply about 3 amps to the batteries.

[babock]

Originally Posted by quicky06

Just to add more actual data to the conversation. My 2016 f 150 3.5 eco boost with max tow package. I also have a victron battery monitor with Bluetooth capabilities. While towing this weekend I had 1.3 amps measured going to the batteries. My cameras, Wi-Fi, and fridge draw under 2 amps. So the truck was supply about 3 amps to the batteries.

You recall what the charge voltage was?

[quicky06]

Originally Posted by babock

You recall what the charge voltage was?

No I donot. Just glanced while driving. I’ll have it out again in 2 weeks and can check then. If I have time tomorrow I’ll hook it up see in the driveway but I can’t just take it out for a spin.l it takes me getting the neighbors across the steeet to move cars and another set of eyes to back in. I’ll

[babock]

I have a whole list of tech goodies I am going to install on my new trailer and the Victron is one of them including the bluetooth dongle. Can't wait. I am a EE and I love tech gadgets.

[Jstaud63]

Buying a 2019 XL377TS. It has 4 flooded coach batteries (2 under the stairs/2 in the compartment behind the stairwell).

Thinking they are 6V but not sure. Took a couple of pics to figure the wiring. Looks like they are in parallel to me but not sure.

Trying to figure the AMPs to draw from in this config. Any help would be appreciated.

Also, in this configuration, the batteries look like they are exposed to road debris and moisture being kicked up from under the chassis. Is that a concern for them being uncovered?

Thanks for your help.

[A32Deuce]

They are 12 volt each one and are wired in parallel. You will have to pull to see what the amp is.

[camaraderie]

They are 12 volts wired in parallel If they are group 24 then 75 amp hours each for 300 total and 150 USABLE without battery damage before recharging.
If they are Group 27 then add another 60/30...If Group 31 add another 100/50 usable. You have a nice 70 amp 4 stage converter that take good care of them and I wouldn't worry about exposure. Big things are:
Keep em watered..check monthly till you KNOW how often you need it. Distilled only.

Keep the charger on for at least 6 hours after you've boondocked ...don't partially charge. Overnite is better.
Don't drain below 50% for maximum life.

If you're gonna boondock...suggest you invest 150 in a true battery monitor like the Victron or Trimetric. It will quite literally pay for itself.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Jstaud63

Buying a 2019 XL377TS. It has 4 flooded coach batteries (2 under the stairs/2 in the compartment behind the stairwell).


Thinking they are 6V but not sure. Took a couple of pics to figure the wiring. Looks like they are in parallel to me but not sure.


Trying to figure the AMPs to draw from in this config. Any help would be appreciated.



Also, in this configuration, the batteries look like they are exposed to road debris and moisture being kicked up from under the chassis. Is that a concern for them being uncovered?

The batteries are 12V wired in parallel (+ to +, - to -). 6V batteries have only 3 cells instead of 6, and have to have 2 batteries in series to give 12V.

Your converter is rated at 70A max. You could actually use a bigger converter (80-100A) to charge all 4 batteries a little faster, but would need increased wire size to support the increased amps.

I can't tell anything about the battery ratings or condition. I'm assuming they are something like the Group 24 80AH 12V Interstate RV/Marine batteries most RV dealers around here provision with. Pretty cheap in comparison.

How well they will hold up depends on your usage. If you are running a residential fridge or similar loads, and not recharging every day for 4-6 hours, your batteries aren't going to last very long. OTOH if your usage were kept to 40AH/day (unlikely), you could theoretically go 4 days without recharging. The question really comes down to how fast will you use the 160AH of usable battery.

The PD converter is a good one, but of limited capacity. If you take your batteries down to 50% (use 160AH), it's going to take at least 8+ hours of being plugged in to fully recharge the batteries. Even with an unlimited converter and optimum charge schedule, it would take 6+ hours.

hope this helps
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[TitanMike]

Late to the conversation and I'm the original question has been adequately addressed.

I'd just like to say that when it comes to "Battery(s)" and Boondocking there are only two kinds.

SOME battery and MORE battery. There is no such thing as ENOUGH.

Boondocking and batteries follow a variation of Parkinson's Law which states that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion".

The boondocking variation is that battery usage expands to consume the amount of battery capacity available. Bigger battery bank? People tend to just use more.


As for me, a group 24 battery is only good enough to provide the legally required emergency braking when breakaway switch is activated and run a few lights. Most are lucky if it keeps the furnace running overnight if it's chilly. IMHO a group 27 is minimum and preferably two of them. Unless one only camps when the furnace isn't ever required.

[ejohnson1144]

I have to batteries , I charge in the morning, and again in the evening .