Do I need two batteries?

BigGrover
BigGrover Posts: 450
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Picking up my new 400 Saturday, dealer wants to know if I want two batteries.  Not planning to boondock camp so I am thinking 1 should be adequate.  Am I missing something?
BigGrover
2019 T@b 400 Boondock Lite
2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi
Central Alabama

Comments

  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Posts: 10,035
    The 400 already comes with a giant AGM battery, can't imagine you would need more than one, especially if you are not planning on boondocking.  Pretty pricey too.  Confirm that an AGM is installed and ask about the capacity in amps.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Posts: 4,437
    I agree with @SAM. If they're asking if you want 2 batteries, I'd make sure they're installing the AGM. 2 of those AGMs would certainly be overkill, and SPENDY, I'd think.
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


  • knoxville1915
    knoxville1915 Posts: 60
    We have two (got the second one thrown in) which provides us with over 350 amp hours!

    2018 T@B 400 (Rol@nd) towed by 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (C@lgon)
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Posts: 10,035
    Knoxville, I thought the original batteries for the 400 were 225 amp, no?  How did you manage 350 amps with 2?
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Posts: 6,424
    SAM said:
    The 400 already comes with a giant AGM battery, can't imagine you would need more than one, especially if you are not planning on boondocking.  Pretty pricey too.  Confirm that an AGM is installed and ask about the capacity in amps.
    As a matter of fact, If I started from scratch, I would consider going with the AGM battery that comes in the 400. It's a very good solution.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • BigGrover
    BigGrover Posts: 450
    Thanks, it does have the AGM so I won't let them sell me another.
    BigGrover
    2019 T@b 400 Boondock Lite
    2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi
    Central Alabama
  • knoxville1915
    knoxville1915 Posts: 60
    @SAM That is the figure that was given to me by the engineer. The 2nd battery is smaller than the primary and is located next to the LP in the tub. I know it’s 12v; not sure if the full power capacity. I plan on using it more as a backup and failsafe.

    2018 T@B 400 (Rol@nd) towed by 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (C@lgon)
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Posts: 10,035
    Knoxville - is the smaller battery connected?
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • knoxville1915
    knoxville1915 Posts: 60
    @SAM Yes, it is. It has its own cutoff switch located in the tub. It is also charged via the 7-pin connection by out truck's alternator when towing.

    2018 T@B 400 (Rol@nd) towed by 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (C@lgon)
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Posts: 10,035
    Nice back up battery.  So, you only use 1 at a time?
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • knoxville1915
    knoxville1915 Posts: 60
    @SAM Yep. So far, so good. Looking at adding an Inergy Kodiak generator to provide AC power. The Kodiak is a powerful lithium battery (1,100 Watt Hours; 90 Amp Hours, 12.6 Volts) that has 30-amp connection and can be charged via solar, house AC current, or DC current from a vehicle. It also has a 1,500 watt pure sine inverter.

    2018 T@B 400 (Rol@nd) towed by 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (C@lgon)
  • TerryV6
    TerryV6 Posts: 1,101
    Sorry, coming into the middle of the conversation...  I just have a generic battery my dealer gave us two years ago.. What is a AGM battery?  Is that like a heavy duty c,d,9volt battery that is heavy duty?  Is this a good alternative to the double battery route for us when the time comes?  
          :s 
    Terry & Jody...  2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL
    2016 NuCamp 320 T@B Max S
    T@bbey  Road   
    Appleton,  WI





  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Posts: 4,645
    Here is a link to Arizona Wind and Solar that "splains AGM and some they have for sale:

    https://www.solar-electric.com/learning-center/batteries-and-charging/agm-battery-technology.html

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • knoxville1915
    knoxville1915 Posts: 60
    @TerryV6
    Absorbed Glass Mat battery; provides more efficient power with little to no maintenance as compared to traditional flooded batteries. You would probably still want the double batteries (assuming you have series connected 2x6V right now) to provide the needed 12V of power. Or, you can parallel connect two 12V batteries and up your amps. Either way, AGM batteries will provide you with greater efficiency at far less maintenance and longer life.

    2018 T@B 400 (Rol@nd) towed by 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax (C@lgon)
  • jgram2
    jgram2 Posts: 1,522
    I know Mike has referenced this battery resource in the past : http://batteryuniversity.com/ and here's another: http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/batteryschool.cfm?TID=18#ANC18.
    John, Judi, Guinness & OD in PDX
    T@Bit@t 2015 S Max Outback, ‘18 V6 4Runner 


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