Batteries

[BigAl74]

What batteries are you using? I'm running 2 6volt Trojans linked together. They work great the first few days, but they require a long time to fully charge so at the end of the trip you need to run the gentorator a lot.

[DuneJunkie]

Do you have your wires hooked up so that you are charging them while you are running your truck when trailering to the dunes?  I have found that just that keeps my battery up and running fairly well.  I am only running 1 but, I am planning on adding a second one before summer!

[BigAl74]

Yes, they charge while in tow. I normally plug the trailer in the weekend before we go on a trip so they are fully charged when we leave. Initially they last longer than 12v batteries I've had. The down fall to the linked 6 volts is that they take a lot longer to charge so at the end of the trip you need to run the generator longer to get them back to full charge. I may switch back to 12v batteries.

[DuneJunkie]

I know there are some folks that are using a battery buddy.  With it, you can plug in your trailer @ home, and it keeps your batteries charged, but does not overcharge them.  I saw it on another forum somewhere............

its a thought for ya

[Towman 1]

I run 2 Interstate RV deep cycle batteries for my lighting, waterpump, and such. Then I have 3 more Interstate RV deep cycle  batteries that I have stored in my storage for my Power inverter. They run my tv and satalight dish. Also, I have a 12 amp battery charger hooked to one of the trailer batteries so when I use the generator it keeps them charged. I think that I have enough power.

[chocks]

I like Towmans setup. When I rolled into Dunefest at 3 in the morning, tow's trailer flood lights were like a becon in the fog.
I had to ask him the next morning if he was on shore power

[Riding Mom]

would 2 6volts on the tongue work for the main power with a 12v deep cycle in the front storage for backup and to start the genny. Also could these all be linked together?

[chocks]

would 2 6volts on the tongue work for the main power with a 12v deep cycle in the front storage for backup and to start the genny. Also could these all be linked together?

Yes and Yes, but if linked together, you will need to put an isolater in the line to keep the 12v for storage and backup. With out an isolater, all three batteries would charge and drain together.

[RTOYZ]

Does anyone else (besides me) leave their trailer plugged in all the time? If so how often do you check your batteries? Do you have anything on your trailer to prevent overcharging??

[Towman 1]

Yes and no.  I leave my trailer plugged in all the time. But, I couldn't find what I wanted, so I built my own. This is a knife switch. When I get home from a trip, I leave things alone for a week or so. Then I go out and open the knife switch to my batteries. This way, the batteries are fully charged and then I run on electric till I need the trailer again. I know that you can buy some other chargers that shut off after they get charged, but I like my idea better.

On my first toyhauler, my batteries only lasted just 2 years. They got over charged during the winter and burned up. So, I went and bought Interstate deep cycle batteries. Then I decided to do the knife switch method. I really like it, in fact, I turned the switch on today cause I am going to use the trailer next week.

[RTOYZ]

would the batteries stop charging if I turned off the 12v via the 12 volt dissconnect??

[chocks]

would the batteries stop charging if I turned off the 12v via the 12 volt dissconnect??

Yes....... at least they should, but depending on what model fridge you have, it will not work with the 12v system disconnected.