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Old 02-14-2015, 09:15 AM   #1
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Adding Second Battery to 21FBRS

Looking to pics and ideas for adding a second battery to the tongue of my 21FBRS. Space is a little tight on this small-ish travel trailer and two group 24 battery boxes simply do not fit. Trying to use the existing battery rack but starting to think this project will involve having something larger welded up.
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Old 02-14-2015, 09:20 AM   #2
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I have the 2109s and I did fit two battery boxes on the front. You need to make sure your battery box is all the way over to one side before fitting the second. Also you might have to slightly trim the boxes to fit.
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Old 02-14-2015, 09:23 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by ddrockwood View Post
I have the 2109s and I did fit two battery boxes on the front. You need to make sure your battery box is all the way over to one side before fitting the second. Also you might have to slightly trim the boxes to fit.
Yep, the boxes will just barely fit with the handles cut off; but the tops I have are way too large. Maybe I can fabricate some sort of cover. Hmmmmmm
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Old 02-14-2015, 09:29 AM   #4
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I have the factory box tops on its tight but works. I have plans of locking the battery's down also. Haven't had time to do that yet.
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Old 02-14-2015, 01:27 PM   #5
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Make sure the batteries are the same and they are hooked up properly. Battery "B" positive to battery "A" positive and battery "A" positive to trailer positive wire. Battery "A" negative to battery "B" negative and battery "B" negative to trailer ground. It will work if both positive and negative from the same battery are attached to the positive wire and the ground but it is better if hooked positive from one battery is to trailer positive wire and the other battery negative is the ground.
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Old 02-14-2015, 01:48 PM   #6
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You could purchase a marine double battery holder and it should just squeeze between the rails of the A-frame where the battery perch is. You can also get a Torklift A7708 if you have the cash or make one up if you know someone who works in sheet metal. We did a lot more dry camping/boon-docking in our last camper so I made something like the Torklift, but large enough to hold our four 6V batteries.
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Old 02-14-2015, 02:10 PM   #7
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I did it with mine, just had to trim the handles off the boxes. I knew I was going to be doing some boon docking on a long trip between stops and wanted the extra power, however, I didn’t hook them together. I brought a charger with me and when one got low, I switched wires to the other and used an outlet in a nearby hangar to charge the other.
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Old 02-14-2015, 02:46 PM   #8
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you guys must do a lot of dry camping.Y not take a small generator like the Honda EU 2000 or Ryboi 2000
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Old 02-14-2015, 02:54 PM   #9
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I have a Honda EU 3000 I load into the bed of the pickup truck on longer trips. However, if I’m just stopping for a night or two, I don’t mess with it. I get along fine with 12v, it’s my wife who needs the 110!
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:23 PM   #10
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Easy Mod.

With the second battery we have boondocked 7 days without a charge. (We do have two generators.) The 21FBRS with LED lights puts little demand on the batteries.
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Old 02-14-2015, 03:48 PM   #11
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With the second battery we have boondocked 7 days without a charge. (We do have two generators.) The 21FBRS with LED lights puts little demand on the batteries.
When (or if?) this snow every quits, I might just grind off the two fore and aft L pieces of the existing battery bracket. That should get me another two inches or so of overall width to accommodate two regular battery boxes. Plan B will be to build a plywood box to fit.

Thanks for all they replys!
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Old 02-14-2015, 04:00 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by danking49 View Post
When (or if?) this snow every quits, I might just grind off the two fore and aft L pieces of the existing battery bracket. That should get me another two inches or so of overall width to accommodate two regular battery boxes. Plan B will be to build a plywood box to fit.

Thanks for all they replys!
We used the battery box that came on the trailer and bought the other standard stock off the self from Menards (like Home Depot). Did not need to cut or grind handles or box. More or less a drop-in.

BTW: you can see the snow in the background of battery box photo. More on the way.
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Old 02-14-2015, 06:07 PM   #13
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Doubling up Batteries

I don't know if this will help but we added two "Interstate" 6-V Batts (GC2-XHD-UTL) to our Flagstaff V-Lite 26WRB. Our dealer supplied the heavy duty opaque plastic box which has inside dimensions of 21" X 7,1/8" X 11,1/2"deep. The batteries are 10,1/4" (2) X 7" X 11,14"high O/A. They are a very nice tight fit but require a battery carrying strap to remove. I am attempting to attach photos but have not got the hang of exactly how to do this from a Mac but will give it a try.Click image for larger version

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If they attached they are mostly self explanatory but the open box does show just one 12 Volt batt. This is just an old one I use just for storage. The two 6 Volt units are showing on floating charge in storage.
I modified the lid closing arrangement as the dealer had just used plated sheet metal screws. It can be seen that I used 1/4" stainless threaded inserts. On the lid I use four SS 1/4" bolts with flat and lock washers.
Hope this is of some help.
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Old 02-14-2015, 06:13 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danking49 View Post
Looking to pics and ideas for adding a second battery to the tongue of my 21FBRS. Space is a little tight on this small-ish travel trailer and two group 24 battery boxes simply do not fit. Trying to use the existing battery rack but starting to think this project will involve having something larger welded up.
I think a couple day's ago this guy built a battery box to fit on his tongue and did a great job. and bolted it to the frame. used plated steel
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Old 02-14-2015, 08:16 PM   #15
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Do you run 2- 6V golf cart batteries, or just carry a spare 12volt??
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Old 02-14-2015, 08:53 PM   #16
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I use 2 X 6V Golf Cart Batteries ("Interstate" GC2-XHD-UTL) and just carry an older 12V Deep Cycle in the back of my truck as a spare.
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Old 02-17-2015, 01:49 PM   #17
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You want to Connect in Parallel. Both batteries should be the same type and capacity.
By connecting in Parallel you are doubling the capacity (amp hours) of the battery while maintaining the same voltage of one of the individual batteries.
A jumper wire between the positives of both batteries and another jumper wire between the negatives of both batteries. Connect your positive and negative wires to the same battery to run to your application.
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Old 02-17-2015, 01:57 PM   #18
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You want to Connect in Parallel. Both batteries should be the same type and capacity.
By connecting in Parallel you are doubling the capacity (amp hours) of the battery while maintaining the same voltage of one of the individual batteries.
A jumper wire between the positives of both batteries and another jumper wire between the negatives of both batteries. Connect your positive and negative wires to the same battery to run to your application.
All good info from "pauljackie". I would only make one further point (from bitter experience). In addition to both batteries being of the "same type and capacity" I would also like to add that they should be from the same manufacturer and have the same manufacturing date or lot number.
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Old 03-06-2015, 06:15 PM   #19
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I turned one battery box front and one back. The tops miss each other then.
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Old 03-07-2015, 07:47 PM   #20
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The first thing I did when I bought my 21FBRS was purchase two Trojan deep cycle 6 V batteries and put them in series. Trojan batteries are the best, used in golf carts and lots of industrial equipment. I have gone a week with out charging my batteries.
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