Extra Leisure Battery? (1 Viewer)

[johna]

I am reasonably new to Motorhomes, my current vehicle has one 85amp battery, I read where a lot of vehicles actually have 2 batteries or even 3. I believe that I could get another 85amp battery along side my exsisting one under the passanger seat. Is this something I should be doing? Would the std battery charger currently fitted be able to cope with 2 batteries, and how do I connect the batteries together? Some people I read just have the 2nd battery to power a Tv etc through an inverter, it seems like a mine field at the various ways you can do things and the gadgets available. All I want is to be able to not worry about power for 2 - 3 days if I do not have hook up. recently I flattened my battery over a wk end of having to have the heating fan running most of it. Thanks Johna

 

[Bulletguy]

I am reasonably new to Motorhomes, my current vehicle has one 85amp battery, I read where a lot of vehicles actually have 2 batteries or even 3. I believe that I could get another 85amp battery along side my exsisting one under the passanger seat.

All I want is to be able to not worry about power for 2 - 3 days if I do not have hook up. recently I flattened my battery over a wk end of having to have the heating fan running most of it. Thanks Johna

Any decent 85amp battery will provide power for the short amount of time you are talking about, but run a heater fan, fridge or TV for any length of time and it won't be up to it.

A second battery connected in series to the current one will help. You still have to realise though that there are limitations and they will need regular charging if you are running a heater, TV or fridge.

 

[Brisey]

A second battery connected in series to the current one will help.

Shouldn't that be connected in parallel, + to + and - to - or have I got it wrong.

 

[shortcircuit]

Shouldn't that be connected in parallel, + to + and - to - or have I got it wrong

Connected in parallel is correct. if you connect in series then it will be 24 volts and burn out electrics.

Batteries should be located near to each other with connections in heavy cable

 

[dazzer]

And while your at it and if youve got room chuck out the 85 a/h and buy 2 x 110 :thumb:a/h, they are not lat much bigger and will increase your power output by another 50a/h

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[Wildman]

A second battery connected in series to the current one will help. .

It sure will if you want 24Volt, but if you want 12v it should be connected in parallel, + to + and - to -. With the positive lead connected via a relay which is powered from the ignition switch and the charge coming from your charge regulator, terminal A+ That makes sure the main vehicle battery remains charged when you run the leisure battery flat, but both batteries charge when the engine is running. a couple of small solar panels will help top up the batteries when left standing. For heating use gas or diesel powered heating. and make sure you have carbon monoxide detector fitted. Be safe or be dead!!!!! Make sure you know what you are doing or get it done for you. There is bad advice as well as good on here so beware.

 

[Bulletguy]

A second battery connected in series to the current one will help.

Shouldn't that be connected in parallel, + to + and - to - or have I got it wrong.

Ooops!! oh:

Well it was 7.30am just coming off another long night shift!!