Thanks a ton for all the responces. Great info!

 

Katoom:<br><br>Here's a link to a page that's part of a series that will give you all the info you ever wanted to know about deep-cycle batteries!<br><br>http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/dcfaq4.htm<br><br>I just added two size 27 Wal-Mart batts, in parallel, to my trailer. <br><br>Each one is rated 115ah (ampere-hours), so in parallel, I've got 230ah to use.<br><br>The suggestion is not to run the batteries down, because that can be very damaging to them; 50% use is about the most you'd want to go before recharge. <br><br>Happy reading -<br><br>Rene

 

ps - don't forget to check out the links at the bottom of the page.<br><br>R

 

What is the best way to tell if you are running down the battery. The trailer has a battery gauge but it fluctuates a lot with lights, TV, ect. When I drive is it supposed to charge the TT battery too? Should I charge it by itself? When I bought the trailer I hooked up and towed it home and the first thing I smelled was the nasty smell of a bad over charged battery. Dont know how the previous owner treated his battery though. How do I tell if the invertor is doing its job? Thanks for you help.

 

Katoom:

Here's a site that tells you everything you might want to know about deep-cycle battery care-

http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html

At the end of the page is a very good list of battery voltage compared to state of charge. You need a digital voltmeter, since the difference between 100% (12.65v) charge &amp; 50% (12.25v) charge is only a fraction of a volt!!

Read the page; it's got great info on it!

Rene

 

KATOOM,

Almost all trailers come from the factory with a CONVERTER. The Converter changes AC, 115 volts to 12 volt DC. this will charge the batteries and run the Direct Current 12 volt appliances and lights in the trailer.

An INVERTER takes DC, 12 volt battery power and changes it to 115 volt AC, alternating current. Inverters are not usually installed on trailers at the factory. These are after market installations and to operate efficiently for more than a few minutes require extra 12 volt deep cycle batteries. ( I have 3 batteries with my 1000 watt Inverter.

A Converter charges batteries, most Inverters discharge batteries.

An easy way to tell if a Converter is working. Have someone unplug the shore power. If the lights dim, the converter is operating properly.

 

Katoom:<br><br>I added a photo of the two batteries to my last post; here's a shot of the mounting platform.<br><br>The original angle-iron was too small, so I fit a couple of pieces of wood to bridge the angle-iron, screwed down some aluminum angle to hold the batts in place, &amp; strapped down the two with nylon webbing...<br><br>Hope this helps!<br><br>Rene

 

<br><br>Thanks for clearing that up.<br><br><br><br><br>If it wasnt working what would happen? Would they just go off? When I asked if the convertor is working what I ment was how do I tell if it is charging the battery correctly? I was under the impression that the convertor not only supplies power but charges the battery when plugged into shore power.<br>

 

[quote author=KATOOM link=board=11;threadid=15911;start=15#153025 date=1056510762]<br><br><br>Thanks for clearing that up.<br><br><br><br><br>If it wasnt working what would happen? Would they just go off? When I asked if the convertor is working what I ment was how do I tell if it is charging the battery correctly? I was under the impression that the convertor not only supplies power but charges the battery when plugged into shore power.<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>All of your DC, 12 volt, appliances, accessories and lights are powered by the batter(ies). The converter is a charger plus. Asyou draw power from the batteries that demand is sensed that the batteries need more power so it puts out 13 plus volts to keep the batteries at a full charge. When there is no 12 volt power being used, the Converter slowly tapers its power output to keep the batteries fully charged.<br><br>&quot;An easy way to tell if a Converter is working. Have someone unplug the shore power. If the lights dim, the converter is operating properly.&quot;<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br ><br>

 

[quote author=Sierra Phil link=board=11;threadid=15911;start=15#153071 date=1056517877]<br>All of your DC, 12 volt, appliances, accessories and lights are powered by the batter(ies). The converter is a charger plus. Asyou draw power from the batteries that demand is sensed that the batteries need more power so it puts out 13 plus volts to keep the batteries at a full charge.[/quote]<br><br>Maybe I am missing something here, but if this were the case, wouldn't the 12 volt appliances stop functioning if the battery were removed from the circuit?<br><br>In my trailer, I believe the Converter supplies 12 volts to a power distribution center. This has multiple outputs, such as the 12v lights, the 12v controls on the fridge, etc. One of the outputs is a charge circuit to the battery. In my trailer, if the battery is disconnected, the 12v appliances still function. The power distribution center can get its voltage source from either the converter or the battery, with the converter being the preferred source.<br><br>One of my concerns is that most trailers do not come with an intelligent charge circuit controller. The charge circuit from the converter is not adequately sensitive to the battery's charge level and can easily overcharge the battery if plugged in for long periods. Also, with the converter plugged in, there is no drain on the battery from the power distribution center to counter the constant charge. This is why it is recommended to check the water frequently on batteries that are plugged in a lot.

 

That overcharge issue is something I'm worried about, too, especially on those cheaper chargers.<br><br>I'm going to see if I can put a switch into the charge circuit to shut off the charge if I'm fully charged, because I know the built-in charger is too stupid to shut off by itself, &amp; will just fry my new batteries!!<br><br>The expensive ProSine inverters come with very intelligent chargers, &amp; that's going to be my choice down the road...<br><br>Rene<br><br>

 

How long is plugged in to long for the convertor to be overcharging? <br><br><br>I hear what you're saying but those two statements kinda contradict eachother. So if my battery isnt in will it still work if plugged in to shore power? Plus you didnt say what would happen if the convertor wasnt working properly.

 

[quote author=KATOOM link=board=11;threadid=15911;start=15#153512 date=1056605372]<br>How long is plugged in to long for the convertor to be overcharging? [/quote]<br>This depends on a lot of variables, like the charge level of the battery when you plug in, the number of batteries, ambient temperature, and more. If your batteries are fully charged, like after a long drive home, when you plug them in they will start to overcharge pretty quickly. I'm not saying don't plug in, just that you will need to watch your water level.<br><br>The manual that came with my converter says to check the water level in the batteries at least weekly if plugged in continuously. The typical reason for water loss is overcharging - the plates heat up and the water boils off. An intelligent charger that adjusts to battery charge level will not boil off the water. So, the converter manufacturer is basically stating that the converter will overcharge the batteries. Really good converters won't do this, but most stock ones will.<br><br><br>[quote author=KATOOM link=board=11;threadid=15911;start=15#153512 date=1056605372]<br>So if my battery isnt in will it still work if plugged in to shore power?[/quote]<br>Mine does. Every trailer I have ever tried it with did. To be sure, try it and see.<br>[quote author=KATOOM link=board=11;threadid=15911;start=15#153512 date=1056605372]Plus you didnt say what would happen if the convertor wasnt working properly.<br>[/quote]<br><br>If you are plugged in and the converter is not working, you would not see the 12 volt lights dim if you pulled the plug. You would also not see a charge indicator if you have a monitor panel with battery monitor indicators. You would see a progressive dimming of the 12 volt lights whether shore power was connected or not because the battery voltage would be dropping since there was no 12 volt power or battery charge being supplied by the converter.<br><br>The reason the lights will dim is because you are switching power supplies from the converter to the battery. The voltage level is not exactly the same.

 

Here's another good site about batteries. http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

 

Just think of a flashlight and how the batteries are stacked <br>+ to - the voltage adds up. <br><br>If you can find a way, do the golf cart (6 volt X 2) battery method.....you won't regret it! They are heavier (63 lbs. each) but worth the trouble. I have left the lights on (incandesent) inside for over a week and the test light still show good!<br><br>Michael