I spy...
Moderator: TJDave
- White trash
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- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:38 pm
- Location: El Pasco
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- Peak Putters Member
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 7:23 am
- Location: in a van down by the river
Yeah, I got a tip: dont skimp when buying batteries! Once you get a good set, keep them charged. The battery is the heart and soul of the RV, so I wouldnt recommend taking a chance on durability.
I have heard good things about the ones from Costco, but dont have any personal esperience. We have been selling the NAPA batteries and they have been rock-solid for us. We used to sell Interstate batteries, but they weren't so reliable. And if you ever have a problem on the road, there is usually a NAPA nearby.
...and stay away from Walmart batteries!!
You can go with 2 6v in series or 2 12v in parallel. The 6v setup typically has more AH capacity. If you have a generator, you really dont need 2 batteries. I know when I go dry-camping, I could typically get about 2 days out of one 12v group 24 running everything. The furnace will have the largest draw, so you should get more out of your batteries if it is warm enough that you dont have to run it.
You currently have one group 24 battery. You may want to look into replacing it with one group 27. It's a little larger, but will fit in there just fine.
No matter WHAT you buy, they will all die a drastic death if they freeze when they are dead. When a battery is dead, the electrolyte is actually water, swells when frozen, and physically splits the plates apart and destroys the battery. If it is kept charged, the electrolyte will not freeze and swell like that.
Do you dry-camp alot for extended periods of time?
I have heard good things about the ones from Costco, but dont have any personal esperience. We have been selling the NAPA batteries and they have been rock-solid for us. We used to sell Interstate batteries, but they weren't so reliable. And if you ever have a problem on the road, there is usually a NAPA nearby.
...and stay away from Walmart batteries!!
You can go with 2 6v in series or 2 12v in parallel. The 6v setup typically has more AH capacity. If you have a generator, you really dont need 2 batteries. I know when I go dry-camping, I could typically get about 2 days out of one 12v group 24 running everything. The furnace will have the largest draw, so you should get more out of your batteries if it is warm enough that you dont have to run it.
You currently have one group 24 battery. You may want to look into replacing it with one group 27. It's a little larger, but will fit in there just fine.
No matter WHAT you buy, they will all die a drastic death if they freeze when they are dead. When a battery is dead, the electrolyte is actually water, swells when frozen, and physically splits the plates apart and destroys the battery. If it is kept charged, the electrolyte will not freeze and swell like that.
Do you dry-camp alot for extended periods of time?
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL
'84 XJ, '19JL
95% of my camping is dry camping. And when it is cold outside the heater drains the battery almost completely. That is a 2 season old Schwabby battery that is in there. I might try the group 27 since it will fit in there without any modifications. But I have heard that 2 golf cart batteries is the way to go from many people. I should of taken the battery out and stored it in the garage since I have one now.
How hard is it to make something to hold two smaller 6V batts? My battery location is kind of open and out there.
Thank-you for the info.
How hard is it to make something to hold two smaller 6V batts? My battery location is kind of open and out there.
Thank-you for the info.
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
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- Peak Putters Member
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 7:23 am
- Location: in a van down by the river
I cant remember exactly, but I think your battery tray has enough room for two 6v. If it does, it's a real tight fit, and you will have a heck of a time servicing the battery water.
If they DO fit, spend the extra money and get one of those 6v battery servicing kits that allows you to service both of them simultaneously from a small hose/pump. OR, spend the big bucks and get gell cells that you dont have to service. (like Optima's)
Either way, dual 6v ARE the best bet for extended dry-camping. And if you dont have a solar panel, you may want to look into that also.
There are a few other things that may help also:
-propane system pressure. LP regulators tend to slowly drop operating pressure through their life. If your regulator is not adjusted to peak, your furnace will not put out full BTU's and will run longer to reach thermostat temp. I cant remember where yours was at, but I think it was a little low.
-battery cable connections. They are critical to proper charge and battery life. They MUST be kept clean, tight, and corrosion-free.
If they DO fit, spend the extra money and get one of those 6v battery servicing kits that allows you to service both of them simultaneously from a small hose/pump. OR, spend the big bucks and get gell cells that you dont have to service. (like Optima's)
Either way, dual 6v ARE the best bet for extended dry-camping. And if you dont have a solar panel, you may want to look into that also.
There are a few other things that may help also:
-propane system pressure. LP regulators tend to slowly drop operating pressure through their life. If your regulator is not adjusted to peak, your furnace will not put out full BTU's and will run longer to reach thermostat temp. I cant remember where yours was at, but I think it was a little low.
-battery cable connections. They are critical to proper charge and battery life. They MUST be kept clean, tight, and corrosion-free.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL
'84 XJ, '19JL
- White trash
- Posts: 1763
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:38 pm
- Location: El Pasco
Lurch wrote:How good are you with propane generators? Mine has starting issues.
Propane is stone simple. If it doesn't want to start check the fuel filter first. Is the fuel supply shut off by vacuum or by an electric solenoid? If the engine is getting tired (I doubt yours is worn enough to have the issue) pulling the vacuum line off the engine and sucking on it will get it to start faster.. Yes you'd be suck starting your engine, don't you feel manly now?
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- Peak Putters Member
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 7:23 am
- Location: in a van down by the river
Lurch wrote:Probably I'd have to go look at it, Doesn't matter if the airbox is on or off. still starts hard, If it's cold out it wont start at all
Sounds like maybe your propane regulator (at the tanks) is out of adjustment and pressure is low.
Is it hard to get it started in the first place, or is it dying soon after it fires for a couple seconds?
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL
'84 XJ, '19JL
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- Peak Putters Member
- Posts: 1237
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 7:23 am
- Location: in a van down by the river
TJDave wrote:Yep that's mine. Not suprizing on the battery. Planning on doing a double golf cart battery conversion before camping season. Any tips??
Your current battery tray is 9.5 X 16 inches, the longer side running side to side. To fit dual six volts, you will need one that is around 10.5 X 14.5, and it will need the longer side to run front to back instead of side to side like is currently does to be able to slip the batteries into place through that little door. You can fabricate a tray using 2" angle iron and use the existing bolts that run through the floor to mount to. If it were me, I would build a bigger rack and install a larger access door.
I also checked, your current battery is a Group 27. That is about the best you can put in your current setup without modification.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL
'84 XJ, '19JL
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