We purchased a Rockwood 2514g this spring, and we are taking a trip to Wyoming this summer, with lots of dry camping. We are thinking about adding a second battery for more storage, but I had a couple of questions. First, can the built in charger have enough punch to charge both batteries? Is there a better way to wire them up, one is just straight parallel fine? Is the extra tongue weight a real issue if you are pulling with a 1/2 ton truck? Anything else I'm not considering?
We purchased a Rockwood 2514g this spring, and we are taking a trip to Wyoming this summer, with lots of dry camping. We are thinking about adding a second battery for more storage, but I had a couple of questions. First, can the built in charger have enough punch to charge both batteries? Is there a better way to wire them up, one is just straight parallel fine? Is the extra tongue weight a real issue if you are pulling with a 1/2 ton truck? Anything else I'm not considering?
Thanks in advance!
The built in converter should be fine.
There are rules to building battery banks for longest battery life.
The goal is for the resistance path through each battery to be as identical as possible. Interconnecting wires exactly the same size and length, battery manufacture, size, in service date, number of charge discharge cycles, etc must be the same.
Battery banks are always replaced as a set for that reason. Adding a brand new battery to an old one will kill the new one as it will cycle far more often.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
The battery we have was new less than 3 weeks ago, and hasn't really even been cycled yet, so I'm not going to replace it. The second one will be identical to it.
Thanks for the hook up tips! That is kinda how I thought it should be, but wasn't sure. Now I just need to find someone to make me some heavy cables.
Thanks for the hook up tips! That is kinda how I thought it should be, but wasn't sure. Now I just need to find someone to make me some heavy cables.
We did the same thing - added a second, identical 12v battery when we took delivery of the camper. Very pleased with it. Here is a source for pre-made cables if you want to go that route...
Nice. So, where in WY? I'll be up there the first part of July; west of Cody.
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Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
Yea, I'll be in Yellowstone, but spending quite a bit of time in their headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs area. Also in Cody and down in Lander BLM offices for a while. (Actually thinking of moving up to northwestern WY.)
Camping in the Wapiti campground, between Cody and Yellowstone's east entrance/exit.
Highly recommend a drive down Hwy 212, beartooth parkway, from the northwest entrance/exit to Yellowstone down into Red Lodge MT.
It's a great place, you'll love it. If hiking, take bear spray. I can vouch that it works.
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Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
I ran two strips of 3" x 1/4" flat stock between the two angle iron supports under the battery box. Drilled a 1/4" hole in each corner, through all 3 pieces, and then ran a bolt through. The factory one is only mounted with two drill screws, so mine is mounted a lot more secure.
I can vouch that it works.
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