Adding batteries to the FR3

[RV Pilot]

None yet. I started with the batteries to first determine how much power I will be using per day (approximately). That way I will know how much solar to add. I'm thinking between 200 and 400 watts.

[RV Pilot]

All done for this trip. I'll do some cleaning up and painting when I get home. It's now probably one of the strongest things on the RV.




2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

None yet. I started with the batteries to first determine how much power I will be using per day (approximately). That way I will know how much solar to add. I'm thinking between 200 and 400 watts.

They say about 100 watts per 100 amps of battery so I guess 200 plus for two golf cart 6's and with the second set, at least 400. We run three group 24s and so about 240 amps of battery with 200 watts of solar and our camping partners have 400 on the roof with 4 6's. We both have the Onan 4.0 gens but hardly use them unless we need the AC, lengthy use of the microwave (it warms stuff fine just on the inverter) or use of the convection oven.

Are you running a residential frig in the 30DS? Absent that, you should have a ton of power with the 4 batteries for now, but the solar brings it all together. Gone with the WINNS on YouTube have a great video on how their 6 panels were installed. They used the rather pricey GoPower 160 watt panels but seeing it get installed is interesting. We used a WindyNation.com 200 panel set for just over $300 and it has been great and with their slightly upgraded charge controller there is capacity for 200 watts more.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

All done for this trip. I'll do some cleaning up and painting when I get home. It's now probably one of the strongest things on the RV.
Central Coast of California

Oh those are 12 v batteries! Are they 24s or 27s?

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by RV Pilot

All done for this trip. I'll do some cleaning up and painting when I get home. It's now probably one of the strongest things on the RV...

Without a doubt!! When you get ready to consider a solar addition, drop me a private message. I have done a lot of research and also spent time in the solar power monitoring business. Everything that I have discovered and designed for a solar upgrade for my 335DS should be equally applicable to your FR-3, as they are laid out and wired virtually identically.

[PeteAndEd]

Before we upgraded the original two 12v house batteries to 2 6v deep cycle batteries, I had a 2nd battery tray installed. It was a tray for a Jeep, but it holds 2 6v deep cycle batteries with no room to spare. Robot Check I like this tray as it has a higher bracket on the back. I drilled holes for the 3 bolts into the I-Frame and had a welder weld around the back part for extra protection. After putting the 6v batteries on it, I felt it was still wobbly, so I added a support piece on the left front of the tray to give it additional stability. The 3rd pic shows the welder guy inside that compartment!

[RV Pilot]

Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein

Without a doubt!! When you get ready to consider a solar addition, drop me a private message. I have done a lot of research and also spent time in the solar power monitoring business. Everything that I have discovered and designed for a solar upgrade for my 335DS should be equally applicable to your FR-3, as they are laid out and wired virtually identically.

I sent you a pm.


For everyone else this is what I'm considering. Any input welcome.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E0YBL0K?psc=1