Local source for an RV dual battery box?

[Martinjmpr]

Does anyone know of a local source for an RV dual battery box? What I'm looking for is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VAUG5A...d=29PHGCD6GGEP

Local Camping World does not seem to have it.

I'm looking to mod our trailer's current single 12v battery to a 2 x 6v golf cart battery setup for a longer lasting power solution (230ah vs the current 78ah.)

I know I could call every RV dealer in town but would they even normally stock something like this? My thought is that if Camping World doesn't have it, nobody else is likely to either.

Would rather source it locally than order from Amazon if possible.

Thanks in advance!

[crays]

Solar shop?

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[Colorado Osprey]

Be aware that just about every camper and trailer dealer as well as every auto part store is now using the same supplier for most camper accessories and parts. Keystone. They are a wholesale distributor only and it is that fun book you look through at the auto parts store. That said Amazon is looking to put all of these type of suppliers like "local" out of business and sells for less than dealer cost direct to you. So if you are looking for someone to bring in this product be aware that you will probably be paying quite a bit more than you see it listed on Amazon since their cost will be more than you see it listed for.

Personally not a big fan of 6v batteries on campers. Lots of people hook them up wrong as well as for the cost of 2-6v you could just have 3-12v group 27's and switch out to LED lights for longer life for less money. Bulk LED light bulb conversions are CHEAP on Amazon as well. If you are using up 3 group 27's you need to learn how to conserve energy and turn off the inverter and TV and Satellite dish... you are camping, or maybe Glam-ping.

[Martinjmpr]

Be aware that just about every camper and trailer dealer as well as every auto part store is now using the same supplier for most camper accessories and parts. Keystone. They are a wholesale distributor only and it is that fun book you look through at the auto parts store. That said Amazon is looking to put all of these type of suppliers like "local" out of business and sells for less than dealer cost direct to you. So if you are looking for someone to bring in this product be aware that you will probably be paying quite a bit more than you see it listed on Amazon since their cost will be more than you see it listed for.

Personally not a big fan of 6v batteries on campers. Lots of people hook them up wrong as well as for the cost of 2-6v you could just have 3-12v group 27's and switch out to LED lights for longer life for less money. Bulk LED light bulb conversions are CHEAP on Amazon as well. If you are using up 3 group 27's you need to learn how to conserve energy and turn off the inverter and TV and Satellite dish... you are camping, or maybe Glam-ping.

Our trailer is too small for a 3 battery setup (and it wouldn't be necessary anyway.) We are already on LEDs (came with them from the factory) so the biggest power draw is the 2 way fridge (which we rarely use in any case.)

The reason I'm going to the 2 x 6v setup is that our current 12v battery is shot and rather than replace it with another 12v/78ah battery, it makes more sense to just go ahead and do the dual 6v conversion (which gives me 230ah) as many others with our type of trailer (T@B) have done.

[brutal]

Our trailer is too small for a 3 battery setup (and it wouldn't be necessary anyway.) We are already on LEDs (came with them from the factory) so the biggest power draw is the 2 way fridge (which we rarely use in any case.)

The reason I'm going to the 2 x 6v setup is that our current 12v battery is shot and rather than replace it with another 12v/78ah battery, it makes more sense to just go ahead and do the dual 6v conversion (which gives me 230ah) as many others with our type of trailer (T@B) have done.

My 2-way fridge is AC/LP. Is yours DC?

[fairrpe86]

Try Titan RV and Trailer, 303-903-6808. Talk to Matt. See if he has one in stock, if not I bet he would know who does.

[Martinjmpr]

My 2-way fridge is AC/LP. Is yours DC?

Yeah, it's a T@B Clamshell (has the rear kitchen like a teardrop.) T@B makes two basic models, one has the inside kitchen and the other one is outside. The inside kitchen models get a 3 way (120vAC/12vDC/LPG) but because of the way they're vented (through the back), the Clamshell models only get the two way (120vAC/12vDC.)

https://nucamprv.com/



Starting in 2018 the new Clamshells will have a 3 way but I'm not going to spend the $$ to try and get ours retrofitted.

We normally don't even use the fridge in the trailer unless we are hooked up to shore power. I have one of these that I carry in the Suburban:

http://www.truckfridge.com/store/product23.html

Last year I put a 2nd (house) battery in the 'Burb and a dedicated 12v port so the fridge is hooked up to a battery that's not the starter battery. In previous years with the truckfridge I have had a couple of instances where the fridge drew the starter battery down far enough for me to need a jumpstart. With the dual battery setup that's no longer a worry, the fridge draws from the 2nd battery (a deep cycle RV battery.) The RV battery is connected to the starter battery via a solenoid - when the engine is running the two batteries are connected (which charges both batteries - especially since I have a 145a alternator) but once the engine shuts off the solenoid opens and the two batteries are isolated. So even if the house battery goes totally dead, my food might spoil but the truck will still start.

Try Titan RV and Trailer, 303-903-6808. Talk to Matt. See if he has one in stock, if not I bet he would know who does.

Thanks! I'll call him tomorrow!

[brutal]

Yeah, it's a T@B Clamshell (has the rear kitchen like a teardrop.) T@B makes two basic models, one has the inside kitchen and the other one is outside. The inside kitchen models get a 3 way (120vAC/12vDC/LPG) but because of the way they're vented (through the back), the Clamshell models only get the two way (120vAC/12vDC.)

https://nucamprv.com/



Starting in 2018 the new Clamshells will have a 3 way but I'm not going to spend the $$ to try and get ours retrofitted.

We normally don't even use the fridge in the trailer unless we are hooked up to shore power. I have one of these that I carry in the Suburban:

http://www.truckfridge.com/store/product23.html

Last year I put a 2nd (house) battery in the 'Burb and a dedicated 12v port so the fridge is hooked up to a battery that's not the starter battery. In previous years with the truckfridge I have had a couple of instances where the fridge drew the starter battery down far enough for me to need a jumpstart. With the dual battery setup that's no longer a worry, the fridge draws from the 2nd battery (a deep cycle RV battery.) The RV battery is connected to the starter battery via a solenoid - when the engine is running the two batteries are connected (which charges both batteries - especially since I have a 145a alternator) but once the engine shuts off the solenoid opens and the two batteries are isolated. So even if the house battery goes totally dead, my food might spoil but the truck will still start.




Thanks! I'll call him tomorrow!

Understand. I installed a similar setup in my 20' SeaDoo boat so I always have a fresh start battery but it uses a manual battery shutoff/isolation switch (start or combined). Start battery/House battery and auto charge switcher thingy got installed with a customer circuit (diode bridge) due to the twin motors. Works well except the stereo amp that's wired straight to the house battery seems to draw it down a bit even when everything is off. FWIW, I bought a replacement interstate (deep cycle) battery today at costco. I have been thinking about investing in a real deep cycle battery but can't bring myself to pay the outrageous cost.

[Martinjmpr]

No joy on any place in the metro area having one in stock, so I threw in the towel and ordered from eBay.

Thanks for the assistance anyway, though!

[NukeRJ]

My coach has 6 x 6v deep cycles and I've never had an issue with 6v batteries. Definitely worth the upgrade for your camper. Just keep them topped off (electrolyte and charge) and don't charge them faster than C/5 - if you do charge them that hard check the temp often.