House Battery replacement

[RV4us2]

I am needing to replace my Group 29 batteries in my 6 mo. old 38GK which we have only used 2 months. The battery to the rear of the compartment was dry! I had to disconnect all leads and vent tubing to even get to the cell caps.
I am confused with connections as I was under the assumptions one of the two was dedicated to the residential fridge/inverter. Mine were connected together in parallel. This sort of makes sense to share the amp-hours. I'm considering to replace these two with 4 batteries as some of you have done. I can get a Interstate Group 27 from Costco for half the price of a Group 29 from Interstate directly. Costco does not carry the 29. Redwood informed me my original batteries were from World Wide Batteries. I asked them as these were not labeled. Whatever I decide to do, I am going to modify/change the cables and battery box so I can check the water levels without having to disconnect which was absurd to have to do. I looked into Wally batteries, but reviews were somewhat negative. Would appreciate advice of others and pictures of modified battery configuration.

[riciren]

After being a interstate fan for over 30 years and after my last 2 only lasted about 18 months, went to our local distributor and he offered no explanation other than that they only have a 1 year warranty, so I was SOL!!! After reading good reviews for the exide AGM sealed battery I bought those and so far doing well. Exide gives you 2 year warranty.

[brenkco]

Ken,


I went with 4 6-volt Costco batteries. It will give you more than double the amp hours of 4 12 volt batteries and perform much better. When connecting the 6 volts in series, it doubles the voltage (to 12), the amp hours remain the same. When you attach the second set of 6 volt batteries in parallel, you double the amp hours. Depending on the batteries, that's 416 - 440 amp hours....

I don't have a photo of the wiring of the batteries, but have attached a photo of the box. The cables are routed such that the batteries can be serviced.


Ken

[Shane Wood]

I went with interstate AGM after the cheap batteries that came with it crapped out at 3 mths old. Working in the electrical field I have been adding water to batteries for 43 years. Bin there done that. I will just add more batteries if I need them.

[830hvacman]

My inverter owners manual, it said it requires 200 Ah for proper operation.. But mine only came w/ one Group 27 - apx 80Ah, same thing that goes in a new pop-up camper - Dealers these days...... I have been looking around at maybe getting a pair of T-105's, but I do like the picture above w/ the 4 6v batteries and a Great battery box (Who was the supplier?) Best of luck and let us know which way you finally go. Thanks

[brenkco]

Here is where I got the battery box:
Dyno Golf Cart Battery Box - 4 Battery Version


Ken

[RV4us2]

Ken, Great and clean installation! It does appear you do not have a gen-set which I do. I would question if I have room for this box. Will check.

[ted 95]

you might want to look this one up.
6V 420 amps for 20 hours--
size 17"H - 7 1/2 W - 11 3/4 L
weight 113 LBS
Trojan manuf
Retail aprox $300
put 2 in series and you will have
12v and 840 Amps for 20 hours.
if you really want a bunch of power
4 units series / paralel will give you
1680 amps for 20 hours.

that is what we had in the MH years ago.

[brenkco]

Ken,
The battery box was installed to the right of the gen set box. Shouldn't interfere.

Ken

[Jim161]

Originally Posted by 830hvacman

My inverter owners manual, it said it requires 200 Ah for proper operation.. But mine only came w/ one Group 27 - apx 80Ah, same thing that goes in a new pop-up camper - Dealers these days...... I have been looking around at maybe getting a pair of T-105's, but I do like the picture above w/ the 4 6v batteries and a Great battery box (Who was the supplier?) Best of luck and let us know which way you finally go. Thanks

Do you have a magnum inverter? I looked at my manual and could not find any requirements

[mhs4771]

My Magnum has three settings, 200 Amp Hr (60 min Absorb time), 400 Amp Hr (90 Absorb), 800 Amp Hr (120 Absorb), selectable from the Remote.

[830hvacman]

I looked the book again - and on page 15 - talks about installation.. My model is the MMS1012. And it looks like I was wrong, Not sure what I was reading into it.. Anyway, my future upgrade from the 85Ah to 220Ah should be a huge improvement to run time!

[bergeman]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

My Magnum has three settings, 200 Amp Hr (60 min Absorb time), 400 Amp Hr (90 Absorb), 800 Amp Hr (120 Absorb), selectable from the Remote.

The default setting for the magnum is 400 Amp Hr. Mine was set to the default setting and since I had the original batteries, the wrong setting may have had something to do with their short life span.

I have replaced them with 3- 100AHr AGM batteries and threw away the battery enclosures.