Is there anything wrong with adding a second stock battery, like the one that came wit

[Summer2Go]

I'm pretty sure I can't put two different batteries together. The camper was new last spring, and I'm hoping to have this done when the Roo goes in for warranty work in a couple of weeks.


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[wharfrat48]

Is your plan to wire in parallel or to use the second one as a back-up? Generally, it is not a good idea to wire a newer and older battery together, as the weaker one drains the newer one. Not sure how much use your older one has seen, but if it is still in relatively "new" condition, it probably wouldn't be such a bad idea, just not ideal. If using as a back-up battery, does not make any difference at all.

However, most of the batteries supplied by RV dealers are not true deep cycle and you would probably be better off going with a single true deep cycle battery and use your original as a back-up.

[bikendan]

I waited until the cheap OEM battery from the dealer went bad.
Then I bought two new deep cycle batteries and installed them.

[KMP44]

If they have the exact match, you could give it a shot. I did this when we picked ours up. I think with the battery box we were in it for an extra $95, which is a pretty cheap way to extend your battery capacity.

Don't have any specific data to reference, but a few months difference in age for identical batteries shouldn't be a huge deal, or you run them individually with a selector switch, but that's more of a hassle.

[Terier]

When I had a second battery added to my TT I upgraded the original one at the same time. I found out that not all batteries are created equal which took some consideration in determining what would be the right choice for my camping style.


I knew that the battery the dealer gave me ranked low on battery power life so I opted to replace.

[Summer2Go]

So is the battery box going to be the same size? I see people with solar power using batteries that are taller, and not golf cart batteries.


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[KMP44]

Originally Posted by Summer2Go

So is the battery box going to be the same size? I see people with solar power using batteries that are taller, and not golf cart batteries.


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If you want to just match the original then no. Same size. Just add a twin. Usually the dealer gives you a group 24 marine battery. On the tongue of our Roo, the 2 group 24's would just fit on the tongue.

You can go bigger, either with 6V golf cart batteries or with bigger 12 volts like a group 27 or 31. When its time to upgrade, whether you stick with the same size or go bigger, consider getting a good quality, true deep cycle battery like a Trojan. Going bigger might require some adjustments to get them on the tongue. You can also buy a battery box big enough to hold 2 batteries which neatens up the wiring.

But for the quick and inexpensive upgrade, you can get an identical battery & box and make or buy the cables to connect them up.

[Iwannacamp]

Interesting info here...

DEEP CYCLE BATTERY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

[CaptnJohn]

Will be doing as I have done in the past on my new 5er ~~ 2 batteries used individually. I use a Perko switch that will select battery 1, battery 2, both, OFF. I only use one at a time.

[ablindmule]

When we bought our 19' Roo this past year, we replaced the new group 24 battery with 2 new 6v deep cycle batteries, which fit the battery platform perfectly. This gives us 200+ amp hrs, and we paired them up with an installed 1500W inverter and 200 watts of Zamp portable solar panels. We use the replaced group 24 battery with a simple 400 watt inverter as a mobile power source to power outside lights and other electronics when dry camping.
Don't mix a new and old battery. If you want to expand your battery capacity consider moving to 6V for just a few dollars more. Additionally, if adding an inverter make sure to use as heavy a gauge wiring as possible along with a cutoff switch.

[phillyg]

It's a good idea. Both batteries should be the same type/brand and nearly the same age.