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Old 09-23-2014, 04:56 PM   #1
Artemus Gordon
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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!
 
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:20 AM   #2
DQDick
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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.
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Old 09-24-2014, 02:18 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:11 PM   #4
Joe in Texas
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Where is the best place to buy 2 - 6 volt batteries?
will the original battery box work?
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Old 09-24-2014, 04:57 PM   #5
CORattler
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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.
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Old 09-25-2014, 04:43 AM   #6
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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.

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Old 09-25-2014, 08:22 AM   #7
Art-n-Marge
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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.
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Old 09-25-2014, 12:36 PM   #8
Ozz
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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.
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