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Old 08-17-2017, 07:47 PM   #1
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Adding a 3rd Battery

I do a lot of boondocking, and therefore have installed a 3rd battery on my 2018 Cardinal as I have RR.
Must I make changes to the converter to compensate for the additional Ah?
I have an onboard Onan 5500 LP.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:55 PM   #2
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You do not have to. It will just take a little longer to charge them.
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Old 08-17-2017, 07:59 PM   #3
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When you say a third battery, there is an implication that you already have two 12-Volt batteries in parallel ???

If you have all three in parallel, the same considerations would apply as to when you put the first two together - make sure the state of charge / resting voltage is at a similar point so they don't do destructive things trying to equalize.

Another thought, all three discharged would present a large charging current draw when you fired up your inverter or generator if they have been sufficiently depleted.
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Old 08-17-2017, 08:04 PM   #4
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Is there a way to modify the existing (factory) converter to charge as fast as I was before installing the 3rd battery? Or must i purchase a new Converter?
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Old 08-17-2017, 08:21 PM   #5
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Math ...

You would have to figure out the current demand of trying to charge the three parallel batteries at the same time, versus what the converter is capable of pushing out. If you were already seeing a "fast" charge, that is a good thing, means plenty of current is getting from converter to the present batteries.

Do you know the Amp-Hour ratings of your existing, and proposed new batteries ?? Also, current spec of the converter (sometimes as simple as hidden in the model number.)
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Old 08-18-2017, 01:50 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniellekristopher View Post
Is there a way to modify the existing (factory) converter to charge as fast as I was before installing the 3rd battery? Or must i purchase a new Converter?


On our old TH I just added a single AGM INSIDE with heavy cables to the tongue. 2 wet gr24s and one gr 24 AGM. You are not supposed to pair m I s matched batteries, but even with my not so smart 2004 35 amp converter/charger it all worked fine for years. Now for all to be told we were mostly off shore power and operating on 200 watts of solar with the charge controller set for wet batteries, but they were always fine.
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Old 08-18-2017, 02:06 PM   #7
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You might consider adding some solar to your system. That should keep the converter from working too hard and shorten the time to fully recharge. We are running 200watts solar into 2x12volt flooded batteries and have been very happy with the results. The solar really helps to keep them pretty full during the day.
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Old 08-18-2017, 03:11 PM   #8
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new to sight and just got news that our new 35ik camper just came off production line YAA.
Just wondering where to get solar panels and what they might cost camper is wired for
solar panels thanks in advance.
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Old 08-18-2017, 04:59 PM   #9
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new to sight and just got news that our new 35ik camper just came off production line YAA.
Just wondering where to get solar panels and what they might cost camper is wired for
solar panels thanks in advance.
Most trailers that say they are "wired for solar" are usually set up for small ones that are really only battery maintainers. They will normally not give you enough juice to do anything else.

If you want to run things in the trailer, you really need a system which includes a controller ( controls the power of the solar panels and how much gets sent to batteries). Also an inverter (changes battery power to normal household current).

Panels can be permanently mounted or they can be portable.

We are using (2) permanent mount 100 watt panels from Renogy, a 1000 watt inverter for (2) 12 volt batteries and a 40 amp MPPT controller.

It works well for us.

You should size your batteries to your system.

Renogy is just one company out of many. You can buy from them direct or off Amazon.

Remember that YouTube is your friend and check out the manufacturers web sites as well.

It took me about a year to figure out my needs and I wanted a system I could expand in the future if need be. Good luck and congratulations on your new trailer.
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Old 08-19-2017, 05:44 PM   #10
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3 battery`s system

I would add a marine switch to control witch battery to use or to charge.
Since you dont have 3 brand new battery`s , your chance of over charging one or tow battery is eminent and eventuely dry somme battery cell and kill one battery.
Usely charging 2 battery`s of same age, in parallel is the norm, not 3.

see Diagram.
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Old 08-20-2017, 08:53 PM   #11
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Adding a 3rd Battery

Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle View Post
new to sight and just got news that our new 35ik camper just came off production line YAA.
Just wondering where to get solar panels and what they might cost camper is wired for
solar panels thanks in advance.


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I recommend that you ask a moderator to move your post to its own thread. That way you are not hijacking this one for your solar question when this thread is about adding a third battery. It will also help you keep track of responses related to your need
Happy camping when you get your unit.
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Old 11-05-2017, 10:39 AM   #12
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UPDATE: two marine batteries is not enough to run a residential fridge during night. The RR pulls 7.5 AH. Which is great for the first night when batteries are 100%. But the sequential nights when batteries are are 90%, you get below 12.0V if the heat pump turns on, or if you watch TV in the Inverter.
I now have four (4) Trojan T-105 batteries installed (450 Ah), 300 watts of Solar, and a 30 Amp Controller.
I can now run the GenSet from 7pm-10pm. Watch TV for up to 4 hours afterward. And the heat pump can turn on for 30% of the time during the night. And batteries are above 12.2V in the morning.
Plus, I no longer have to run the GenSet in the morning with batteries at 12.2V.... with solar making 11-19Ah and RR only pulling 7.5 Ah during the day.
Thanks for all the replies!!!
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Old 11-05-2017, 11:28 AM   #13
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Batter Drain Examples

Just to help others size their solar and battery requirements, attached are examples for a 2-battery and 4-battery system. I used Trojan T-105 batteries.

With 4 batteries, the batteries are 12.2V in the morning with RR running all night, TV on from 10pm-2am, and heat pump on periodically throughout the night (top photo). Assuming batteries are at 90% by 10pm when you stop the GenSet.

With 2 batteries, 300W solar array, and GenSet. The batteries get below 50% if I watch 2 hours of TV at night, no Heat Pump (bottom photo). Assuming batteries are at 90% at 10pm.
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Old 11-05-2017, 03:58 PM   #14
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just off hand, where did you end up putting 4 batteries on a cardinal? I don't know know your model but on ours there is room for two in the up front compartment next to the generator. where did you put 4?
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