Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-23-2014, 04:56 PM   #1
Artemus Gordon
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
2 6 volt batteries installed.

I assume three years of heavy use on my two 12 volts gel batteries was more than acceotable. One battery died, while the second, will come to some use in garage. Decided on 2 six volts and upgraded the battery venting. So far so good! Will be testing them outside my house this weekend, lights etc to get idea how they will last dry camping!
 
Artemus Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 03:20 AM   #2
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
You should like them. Many folks here have added the trimetric system to properly monitor the batteries. The monitor that comes with the rig is not very good.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 02:18 PM   #3
CORattler
Montana Master
 
CORattler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
X2
My twin 6 volt golf cart batteries have served me well. I got them when I got the Montana new.

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick

You should like them. Many folks here have added the trimetric system to properly monitor the batteries. The monitor that comes with the rig is not very good.
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
CORattler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 03:11 PM   #4
Joe in Texas
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Terrell
Posts: 353
M.O.C. #10881
Where is the best place to buy 2 - 6 volt batteries?
will the original battery box work?
Joe in Texas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 04:57 PM   #5
CORattler
Montana Master
 
CORattler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
Ozz just had some recent experience with batteries. Go to: http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=59602
Perhaps he will read this & chime in.
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
CORattler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2014, 04:43 AM   #6
jlb27537
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
I want to second the Trimetric battery monitor. The only way to really monitor the amps out or amps in your bank.

http://www.bogartengineering.com/products/TriMetric

Sam's has them for about $82. Your local battery store, Interstate, Batteries Plus, Golf Cart shop, will have some for $100-$130 ea.

I have had decent luck with Sam's batteries GC-2, while others swear by Interstate or Trojan.

You will need 2 golf cart batteries, so no the OEM battery box will not work. Just google "battery boxes" Remember if you are using lead/acid batteries you want them vented to the outside.

Jim
__________________

2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
jlb27537 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2014, 08:22 AM   #7
Art-n-Marge
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
Send a message via MSN to Art-n-Marge Send a message via Yahoo to Art-n-Marge
I don't have 6v but I've also heard that the 6v are different dimensions than 12v so that the 12v battery box won't fit them anyway so just plopping a 6v into the existing battery box and adding a second box for the other 6v would probably not work either.

Someone with 6v batteries should be able to verify that a 6v battery might require different boxes altogether. I've read posts where some owners rebuild boxes to fit the new 6v batteries.

You must get two and tie them in series to satisfy 12v. Then be careful that if you add a second "bank", or two more 6v batteries in series, that these are connected parallel to the first bank. The wiring must be done right in order that the banks are connected and used equally. If not, there's a chance one bank gets more load than the other and then there are problems I won't cover here.

Then there's accommodating for size and knowing these will probably be heavier. In my case, if I go this route and I have rig weight considerations, I must be conscious of this. Just sayin'. But I hear it's worth the effort.
Art-n-Marge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2014, 12:36 PM   #8
Ozz
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
Congrats Artemus! it will be comforting to have the extra 'horsepower', have fun monitoring them and enjoying them.
You don't have to worry about running them down overnight now with that energy-hog furnace blower motor.
Hi Joe in Texas
Keep in mind that all 6 volt 'Golf Cart' batteries are not alike, the newer Sam's Club batteries are much less 'powerful', a way to put it..
At least the Sam's club close to our Casa. They are the same size, but not the same amp hrs as the old ones we all were comfy with. I liked Sam's club because they are everywhere you go, so warrantee issues would be simplified. But, because they don't have the 225 AH batteries, (a minimum I would say) My suggestion is to go to town and find a battery company and have a nice talk with them, what fits your space available is a big part of it, what you feel comfortable lifting in and out of the compartment is another factor. I was able to get 240 AH from a local battery company. Same size, I guess heavier plates.
Good luck and do your homework.
A great read is 'The 12 volt side of Life' both chapters one and two. Google them and study up.
Ozz
Ozz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
6 volt batteries poloace Additions & Improvements 11 04-08-2016 08:46 AM
6 Volt Batteries illapah General Discussions about our Montanas 5 12-05-2012 06:28 AM
Adding 2 6 Volt Batteries to existing 12 Volt mainer General Discussions about our Montanas 10 12-21-2011 03:45 AM
6 Volt batteries Ozz Tow Vehicles & Towing 7 11-27-2010 05:41 PM
Batteries 12 volt or 2 6 volt in series ???? Bear Hunter General Discussions about our Montanas 10 03-13-2005 05:05 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.