Battery Help

[exav8tr]

I have to admit, I am completely in the dark about batteries. So far, I have boondocked one time at Quartzsite this winter. I know that when plugged in to CG power, my AC line charges my battery (1 OEM) and when I pull my trailer the battery is being charged by the truck battery (correct?). IF I don't boondock WHY would I want to upgrade my batteries? I know if I boondock it is important to have a good battery bank and maybe someday I will get brave enough to do that AND add solar chargers, (the, I want to be like Robbie and Dave syndrome). In the meantime, any advantage to upgrading batteries???

[simonsrf]

Phil and Cathy,

I could try? to explain it, but this website should make it very clear.

Go here: http://www.amsolar.com/

Then, EDUCATION / BATTERIES.

BTW, We have 6 Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries in the 6-volt model. They are expensive, but we love the way they work.

Hope this helps.

[ols1932]

Because we dry camp whenever we can, we bit the bullet in 2003 and went with two 12-Volt AGM batteries that give us 510 amperes of storage. Sure has helped us a lot over the smaller batteries. As simonsrf says, AGM batteries are quite a bit more expensive than the normal battery. It really boils down to "what do you want or really need?".

Orv

[rogue]

Phil, If you NEVER Dry camp/Boondock, then there is no reason to upgrade the batteries, or add a second one. If you seldom dry camp/boondock, then you probably want to add a second battery to get you by for a couple 2 or 3 nights. If you plan on dry camp/boondock for a week or so, then you need to really get educated on batteries, solar, generators, inverters etc.
Bob

[exav8tr]

Thanks folks, I guess I will wait it out until we get more experience with dry camping, (or not)!!

[tbhd2]

As we posted in another thread, it's nice to have reserve power in case you need it. I should have stated that we need power for medical equpment (cpap). Just like last year at the fall rally we had a fire at the fairgrounds and the power was out all night and into the next day. In Texas last winter the power went out for a long period. Our experience with the lead acid batteries was they were never consistent. Hoping these AGM batteries will perform better.