Adding batteries to the FR3

[RV Pilot]

The first change I did to the coach was to change my two 12 Volt house battery's to two large 6 V golf cart batteries. If it's quite cold during the night and the heating system runs frequently the two batteries seem very low by morning. I want to add two more in the compartment. Has anyone else done this and what type of mounting tray solutions did you come up with?

Thanks


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[lornav]

I sure hope someone can answer your question as we recently picked up a 2015 FR3 30DS (So far its been great) and would like to do the same. Were you able to use the existing battery tray for the golf cart batteries? And what G.C. batteries did you use? Thanks in advance!

[RV Pilot]

Hi lornav, congratulations on the new coach. I installed to Trojan T105 6V. ( T-105 | Trojan Battery Company ) they fit on the try just fine. They were slightly taller, so I had to turn the plastic cover over and drill a new hole for the wing nut. I really have no idea how much I gained from this change. I do know I would like to have at least twice the battery Power I have now. BTW, I also installed 2000 watt 110v Inverter.

[lornav]

Thanks RV Pilot for the good info! I'm a big Costco fanboy and I've seen that they carry Interstate GC2 batteries for about $84.00 so with your info I'll be able to figure my best options. Still going through a steep learning curve but of course that's half the fun I hope someone can shed some light about adding a couple more in the same area along the frame. In the mean time I'll be beating the bushes of the great internet knowledge base and I'll let you know if I find anything good.

[Big Dog 1]

Just upgraded our two 12 volt batteries to two six volt heavy duty. They provide faster recovery time in recharging. They also work better with our 300 watt solar panels.

2015 30DS
Monterey CA


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[Bpenn]

Originally Posted by Big Dog 1

Just upgraded our two 12 volt batteries to two six volt heavy duty. They provide faster recovery time in recharging. They also work better with our 300 watt solar panels.

2015 30DS
Monterey CA


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Do you find the two 6 volt batteries and the 300 watt solar work good together? I have been trying to figure out the right setup. Thanks

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Bpenn

Do you find the two 6 volt batteries and the 300 watt solar work good together? I have been trying to figure out the right setup. Thanks

We use two 6 volt flooded Interstate Deep Cycle Extreme (232 Ah) in our fifth-wheel with the Solar Elite system. We are currently in Mexico with our rig and in November - December we were camping on the beach for 6 weeks with no shore power, only solar, and it all worked fine, including Nespresso machine, wife's hair dryer etc. Driving down the Baja Peninsula over 2 days, in full sunshine, the solar system ran the fridge just fine.

However, another bank of batteries will be installed when we get home for extra storage and we will use more power next trip with the addition of a satellite dish. I will have to do some modification to make sure the batteries are vented properly.

[Technorick]

I've stared at the battery compartment many times wondering how to (eventually upgrade) and get 4 six volt golf cart batteries in there. Although there is plenty of open space in there, With the battery control center hanging on a steel plate off the frame there seems to be little space to weld or bolt a larger battery tray without removing the factory install and a totally custom Hanger retrofit.

I've seen here that a member has place two six voters in but If anyone has already (fit 4-6volt GC batteries) I'd love to see pics of the install.




2014 FR330 DS

[ScottBrownstein]

While I can't tell how your battery bay is configured, I sent these pictures to another forum member who wanted to expand their capacity to 4 deep cycle 6 volt units. This is from my 335DS with a residential refrigerator. (Sorry about the rotation)

[Technorick]

Good example. Thanks. That deeper narrow battery tray would definitely work in my space. The support arm in the first pic must go up to the floor would be necessary in my case as the outer side wall (skirt) where the door is would not support the weight.

If I could find a factory made tray of those dimensions I think I could install myself. As for now my current batteries are fine.


2014 FR330 DS

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by Technorick

Good example. Thanks. That deeper narrow battery tray would definitely work in my space. The support arm in the first pic must go up to the floor would be necessary in my case as the outer side wall (skirt) where the door is would not support the weight.

If I could find a factory made tray of those dimensions I think I could install myself. As for now my current batteries are fine.


2014 FR330 DS

That is exactly where it goes. The outer shell cannot support anything like the weight of 4 batteries. The gusset at the frame helps a lot but the box section does a lot of work.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

Hi lornav, congratulations on the new coach. I installed to Trojan T105 6V. ( T-105 | Trojan Battery Company ) they fit on the try just fine. They were slightly taller, so I had to turn the plastic cover over and drill a new hole for the wing nut. I really have no idea how much I gained from this change. I do know I would like to have at least twice the battery Power I have now. BTW, I also installed 2000 watt 110v Inverter.

Well we are in So Calif where it is hardly cold and mostly sunny for solar, but our 200 watts of solar support us fine with three Group 24s which is about equal to the two trogans at roughly 240 amps.

WE have a 2000 watt Pure Sine Wave inverter but turn it off when not needed, due to the 2+- amp ambient load when on but not in use. We have a 200 watt plug in HF inverter that runs the Direct TV and the TV itself is 12v.

I would have Four 6's and 400 watt solar if I could figure out how to mount two more batteries

[RV Pilot]

I gave up trying to find a welder to build me a custom tray. Today I started building one out of steel from Lowe's. Hopefully I will finish tomorrow and post some pictures.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

I gave up trying to find a welder to build me a custom tray. Today I started building one out of steel from Lowe's. Hopefully I will finish tomorrow and post some pictures.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

Anxious to see what you do as we noted that IF WE GET THE FR3 we like, there is no where for the two extra batteries we would want. Thanks

[RV Pilot]

Well I didn't finish today but I got pretty close. I just need a few more brackets to stiffen things up. Later I will paint it black.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[Technorick]

Pilot.
Very nice start. Plywood for the base? Or some sort of heavy duty extruded aluminum?


2014 FR330 DS

[RV Pilot]

Yes tomorrow's agenda is some added bracing and a plywood bottom. Then install the batteries and I'm hitting the road on Wednesday.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[ScottBrownstein]

That's a great start! The Dexion is strong enough to hold 120 lbs of batteries. I you could, however, I would look for a way to add some type of fore and aft bracing to the existing battery holder. 120 lbs on what looks like a 3 foot level arm is a lot of leverage to your attachment points and I would worry about the effects of the momentum over time. A tie to the existing battery tray would eliminate the moment arm when stopping and starting.

[RV Pilot]

Thanks, that's just what I'm looking at today. I will be adding two or three more braces. It may not come out looking that clean but it will be strong.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

Yes tomorrow's agenda is some added bracing and a plywood bottom. Then install the batteries and I'm hitting the road on Wednesday.


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

How much Solar in the roof?