Dual 6V Batteries.....

mash2

SunT@B.  What folding panel did you get?  Had trouble matching the unisolar output to other panels.

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks Bob.  Instead of changing controllers, I can add more panels using the Wanderer as it is 30 Amp.  I also read that PWM controllers were appropriate for wattage less than 150 - 160.  BTW, we have good friends in Spencerport across from the canal.  Lovely community.

irvingj

Yes, Bob, thanks. I'm VERY new to solar panel use, so am still learning. I'll post a couple of instructional links that others may find useful. 

BTW, the panels on our Roadtrek are three ea. 100-watt panels, total of 300W.

Our T@B didn't have any panels, but if we had kept it I would for sure look into the arrangement you have on your T@B's roof! (I know that on our Roadtrek, those solar panels have been great to have; we almost never have to plug in anywhere.)

http://solarcraft.net/articles/comparing-pwm-and-mppt-charge-controllers/
https://www.solar-electric.com/mppt-solar-charge-controllers.html
And here's another, with some unusual language...  http://www.mpptsolar.com/en/how-to-choose-a-solar-charge-controller.html

Thanks again for giving me the impetus to learn some more!

And here's one more link to an explanation of "cells" in a solar panel: http://www.sungoldsolar.com/News/49.html

Normfun

6 volt golf cart batteries are wired in series. Trailer ground to the - terminal of battery A, the + of A goes to the - terminal of battery B, the + from battery B goes to the trailer positive wire. 

jgram2

If you have the battery cutoff, does B battery + go to the positive wire on the cut off?

Airliner

Which would be a better brand choice Duracell or Energizer?

Normfun

@Twojgrams yes battery B + would go to the cut off assuming it's on the positive wire. 

jgram2

Thanks Normfun, l'll check that.still thinking about the two 6 V option.

wizard1880

Airliner said:

Which would be a better brand choice Duracell or Energizer?

Go with the lowest price you can find, would be my opinion.

Airliner

Thanks wizard for the helpful tip.

Michigan_Mike

Here are a couple of photos of my two Interstate golf cart size batteries in my aluminum tub.  No modifications needed and the batteries sit tight in place and are as snug as a bug in a rug!  

Michigan_Mike

Here is a wiring diagram too.

ericnliz

Michigan_Mike, Great photos, and good wiring diagram also! This will help a lot of folks who never had to do this before. Simple description for both installs: 6 volt, and 12 volt, series versus parallel. Thanks for sharing. I noticed you have the aluminum tub. A couple questions come to mind. 1. Will this install work in the regular tub with the dual 6 volts?, and 2. Do you have a solar connect on your set-up? I don't see one. or maybe I'm just not seeing it. Thanks, Eric

wizard1880

With the stock plastic tub, you have the room to fit 2 golf cart batteries.  The stock bracket accommodates a group 24 only, so some custom bracket, plywood or welding will be necessary to safely support them.  The fit is tight but it works!

Nomad

Wizard - You got a pic of duals in the std tub? - Don't recall seeing that before.

ScottG

wizard1880, I'm also interested in seeing your configuration. Does it include space for some sort of an enclosure/box to hold the batteries?

Right now I'm doing fine with a single group 27, but when it's time for that to go the 6Vx2 will get a closer look. 

Michigan_Mike

ericnliz said:

Michigan_Mike, Great photos, and good wiring diagram also! This will help a lot of folks who never had to do this before. Simple description for both installs: 6 volt, and 12 volt, series versus parallel. Thanks for sharing. I noticed you have the aluminum tub. A couple questions come to mind. 1. Will this install work in the regular tub with the dual 6 volts?, and 2. Do you have a solar connect on your set-up? I don't see one. or maybe I'm just not seeing it. Thanks, Eric

Eric,

I can't comment on the fiberglass tub but evidently they will fit according to Wizard.  

I do have solar ports ports on each side of the tub.  One for my 200W panel, the other for my ARB.

db_cooper

Michigan Mike, do you use a battery box or have them secured any way? Or are they jammed in tight?

mash2

I had two 12v group 27 installed in a plastic tub version and while tight, they did fit.  Had to adjust the base to create enough surface to fit them.  Switched to AGM on interior for other reasons (wanted to reduce tongue weight), but they fit.  In my case, I created some cardboard cutouts of the base of the battery and then moved them around until I found a layout that worked and then custom added pieces to create strong base to hold them.  I installed some battery cord straps to hold them in place.

rfuss928

I saw a set up with a second 12v battery in a marine style case with a 7pin socket.  You could connect it to your TV when driving around then plug the trailer cord into it when at camp.  The case had a nice handle to help moving it between locations.  It seemed to solve AH capacity and recharge requirements in a nice easy to use package. 

Nomad

Here's an old pic I evidently saved (don't recall from when) that has two 6s in the standard tub. Can't recall any of the details at all...

ericnliz

Michigan_Mike, and PXL, Thanks for the info and photo.

db_cooper

Swung by Costco after work and picked up the two 6v golf cart batteries.   Michigan Mike is right,  they fit perfectly in the Outback tub.  I mean very tight too.  They won't move around at all.  Got a 1 ft. Camco battery cable coming tomorrow, and I'll be able to hook it up and check it out.  This might be the quickest modification to date.   Took longer to cut the seat cushion connectors!  Guessing I just quadrupled the capacity over the tired Group 24 we had. 

My goal was to be able to get two nights out without lugging generator or solar, this ought to do the trick.

Nomad

db - So you find hauling out the panels for just two nights is too much? Curious, what's your average stay in any one spot?

db_cooper

Still working for the man, unfortunately ,  so we are mostly doing long weekends.  I'm hoping to avoid even taking the panels or generator in the TV for these trips.  The Group 24 was low after one night of running the Alde on propane from a full charge,  no lights or other use.   Just the Alde pump and parasitic stuff.  We've been weekend boondocking in ski area parking lots, so if we can get 2 to 3 nights without recharging that will be great.  Of course, I'll be dragging the generator along until I'm comfortable with how long they last.

Nomad

db - With lights and Alde running, I usually end up at 12.2 - Seems to settle in at that and stay that way all night.

Michigan_Mike

db_cooper said:

Michigan Mike, do you use a battery box or have them secured any way? Or are they jammed in tight?

No battery box needed as both batteries fit in snug.  

ericnliz

PXL, 2.2, or 12.2? At 2.2 wouldn't that poor battery be toast? Just curious if that was a typo.

Nomad

Don't ya just love typos - Corrected :-)

T@Balong

Are all 6v golf cart batteries the same size?  It would be frustrating to purchase these batteries and discover they won't fit in the standard front storage tub after all?