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07-24-2019, 11:06 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Topeka
Posts: 95
M.O.C. #22922
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12v batteries
Stock issue batteries that came with our 3811MS are only 1.5 years old. Now they only last 4 hours running the inverter and refrigerator.
Is it time to replace?
Also, any suggestions on what type of deep cycle battery is best?
Steve Patterson
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Steve & Ginger Patterson
2018 Montana 3811 MS
2018 GMC Denali 3500 HD Duramax
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07-24-2019, 11:32 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,774
M.O.C. #12947
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If you don't want to go with 6 volt golf cart batteries, which would give you the best bang for the buck, look for the largest 12 RV/Marine deep cycle batteries you can find, and go with at least two, or even four. With the kind of load you have running a residential fridge on batteries, you might even need to consider solar to help out.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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07-24-2019, 03:39 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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Agree with Bob! 6 volt Golf cart would be the best way to go. Or good 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Some of the dealer out there don't put in the best batteries to begin with.
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Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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07-25-2019, 04:56 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mena
Posts: 504
M.O.C. #17723
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Also, making sure the ice maker is turned off will help extend battery life.
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Ron & Rhonda
2021 3230CK Montana Legacy w/ Super SolarFlex
(old rig) 2015 Montana 3611RL 8K I.S., Disk Brakes, Sailun Tires
2015 F350 XLT Crew Dually 20K B&W Companion
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07-25-2019, 05:37 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,898
M.O.C. #9561
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go with 2 6volt batteries
depending on your price I'd just go to walmart, sams or costco.
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07-26-2019, 08:48 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Terry
Posts: 158
M.O.C. #22698
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I see postings advising to use the AGM batteries. In doing research it specifically says you must use an AGM compliant charger. Question: Is our Montana RV's charger AGM compliant?
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07-26-2019, 09:09 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,085
M.O.C. #20477
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Montana converter will charge AGM batteries.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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07-26-2019, 09:11 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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Make sure that the batteries you select are fresh. They have a date of manufacture on them. I always buy where I think they sell lots of batteries. better chance of getting a fresh one.
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07-27-2019, 06:28 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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My two 12 volt group 27 batteries are 2 years old and recently ran our residential reefer for 13 hours during a power outage and were still running it when the power was restored.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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07-27-2019, 08:31 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,670
M.O.C. #2283
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As to brand, there are only 3 or 4 battery manufacturers in the US. Almost all batterys are private label. Walmart Advance and all the rest are selling the same battery with a different label on them. This is to say shop around and choose the cheapest or most convenient for you.
Lynwood
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07-31-2019, 04:53 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Trojan makes makes a 12V Golf Cart Batteries this would be an excellent choice. I am also a Big Fan of Deka brand batteries I use a group 31. Both the Trojan and the Deka group 31 are larger and may not fit into your battery box
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07-31-2019, 05:16 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,295
M.O.C. #311
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodworker
Stock issue batteries that came with our 3811MS are only 1.5 years old. Now they only last 4 hours running the inverter and refrigerator.
Is it time to replace?
Also, any suggestions on what type of deep cycle battery is best?
Steve Patterson
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What you have identified is the power draw of the residential refrigerator and inverter. Your batteries may be fine.
What you need to do is document how much current you need when not connected to a 120 volt source ( pedestal 120 volt or generator).
I solved my problem with 900 amps of batteries and solar and/or generator to recharge.
Contact me if you want more information.
Safe travels.
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08-01-2019, 07:37 AM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Oroville
Posts: 66
M.O.C. #23396
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I switch to 4 Trojan t-105 6 volt batteries, I paid $130each delivered I also installed a self-watering option. It works great.
__________________
2018 Montana 3701LK, 2018 Dodge 3500 Laramie.
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08-01-2019, 08:16 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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I too just switched to 4 Trojan T-105s in a Series/Parallel setup, but went AGMs, more in price, but now I don't have to worry about water levels.
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Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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08-01-2019, 11:11 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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If you are saying that the batteries are not lasting while towing and resulting in an error from the inverter, the cause may have been due to no battery charging occurring while towing. If that isn't the case, then batteries are the cause. I use two group 31 agm deep cycle marine batteries to get capacity.
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2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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08-01-2019, 11:36 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Round Rock
Posts: 475
M.O.C. #17905
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I have a res. frig. and recently installed 2 Trojan 6v AGM Reliants. Just returned from a 5500 mile trip and had zero issues. Also don't have to kill my back trying to get into compartment to water them. I'm a happy camper. $280 each from local Rv dealer....maybe could have bought cheaper elsewhere?
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Pete & Joan & "Honey" fur-baby.
2015 Montana 3611RL 2012 F350 6.7 DRW Lariat
Disc Brakes & Sailun 14 ply S637
6-pt Hydraulic leveling
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08-01-2019, 11:38 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 378
M.O.C. #21337
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Just throwing the LiFePO4 aka Lithium into the mix.
Say goodbye to worries
Mike
__________________
Montana 3123RL Legacy 'Boon-docking Edition'
RAM 3500 Mega Cab Cummins Diesel DRW
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08-31-2019, 01:39 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Heber City
Posts: 129
M.O.C. #23676
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6 volt Flooded cell case
For those who have converted to the two 6 volts, have you found a battery case with the vent hole or did you have to drill the case?
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08-31-2019, 02:34 PM
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#19
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Oroville
Posts: 66
M.O.C. #23396
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__________________
2018 Montana 3701LK, 2018 Dodge 3500 Laramie.
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08-31-2019, 04:05 PM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Heber City
Posts: 129
M.O.C. #23676
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Thanks Charlie W - That's what I've been looking for. The place that's doing my solar designs the system to the installed batteries so I need to get this swapped. Just need to decide on flooded or AGM's. Do you happen to know if I need to do anything to the factory charger to go from a single 12v to 4 six volts?
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