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Topic ClosedWeight distribution and brake control

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Weight distribution and brake control
    Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 11:59am
Originally posted by CharlieM


Don't pay for sealed or no maintenance batteries; get the one with caps and check the water periodically.


...and carry a jug of distilled water with you when you travel so you can top off the cells if needed. I usually have distilled water anyway for my CPAP.
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 11:31am
If you have a AAA card check with them.  Out in the Pacific North West, one gets a nice discount at NAPA.  Usually around $10 on a battery.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 11:25pm
IMO, and that of most experienced others, the 12V option on the fridge is less than worthless. Run the fridge on propane or shore power, even when towing. Perfectly OK as all larger trailers don't even have a 12V mode.

For short stays on shore power any battery will do. Don't pay for sealed or no maintenance batteries; get the one with caps and check the water periodically. True 12V deep cycle batteries are available but they cost more. Ultimately the dual 6V golfers are cheaper AmpHour for AmpHour because every golf course has 2 jillion golf carts, all requiring batteries. Sam's Club lists a Group 24 twelve volt marine battery for $75.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 10:59pm
Wow. I guess the moral is don't use your fridge with battery power. What is a gc24? Sorry for all the questions but I'm almost clueless on this stuff. Can I buy an inexpensive battery at Walmart to get me by? If it's not too much more I'll go deep cycle. Do they sell those? 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 10:47pm
Originally posted by cjscinta

Ok. 12 volt true deep cycle battery. Got it thanks. Initially, I only plan on using Rv sites with shore power and short 2 day trips but just out of curiosity how long can the battery last before it needs a charge?

No good answer to that. It depends.
Totally disconnected from the trailer - several months.
Connected with only the parasitic propane detector load - 2 weeks.
Connected and running fridge on DC - 5 hours.
Normal use with a Gp 24 battery, fridge on propane, some use of the furnace - maybe 2-4 days.

Camped with shore power any battery will do. You do need a battery but it's totally non critical.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 10:03pm
Ok. 12 volt true deep cycle battery. Got it thanks. Initially, I only plan on using Rv sites with shore power and short 2 day trips but just out of curiosity how long can the battery last before it needs a charge?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 9:22pm
Originally posted by cjscinta

I really like the idea of 2 gc2s which I will probably do in the near future but so I understand then just starting out a 12 volt battery will suffice? Any idea what kind? Too many to choose from. 

You want a true deep cycle battery, not a "marine" battery or "starting" battery. Any battery rated in reserve capacity or reserve minutes or cranking amps is not a deep cycle battery regardless of what the label or salesman says. Interstate makes a usable battery, SRM24, but it's not a true deep cycle.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 9:10pm
My 180 came with two group 24 batteries.Longest I've camped off grid is 4 nights ( no heater use) and it was still ok. I plan to run them til they die before I replace them with something better. If you plan to boonedock often and long go with the 2 6volt set up. If you camp with hookups 1 group 27 will suffice.
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2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 8:55pm
I really like the idea of 2 gc2s which I will probably do in the near future but so I understand then just starting out a 12 volt battery will suffice? Any idea what kind? Too many to choose from. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Dec 2016 at 8:41pm
Originally posted by cjscinta

Ok Charlie. The p3 it is. I am buying a new 179 from the dealer and I decided against paying for all the dealer prep fees which would have been almost 2000 extra.  Therefore I don't get a battery with it or a walk through, wash, systems check, or a full tank of propane. I can deal. But what is the best battery to buy for it? I thought I read something about a golf cart battery? Are there any other concerns I should have when I pick it up?

Not getting a battery from the dealer is a good thing as long as you don't pay for one. Usually they give you a cheap Group 24 battery. The best solution is a pair of 6V GC2 golf cart batteries wired in series. The only issue might be the size of the rack on the 179. It used to be OK for the pair of GC2s in boxes but I don't know what's rolling off the factory floor now. Either way it's an easy fix if needed. Electrical hookup is the same as the 12V battery but gives you about 2.5 times as much stored energy.
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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