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2018 2 Battery Setup
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KarlHavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KarlHavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 2018 2 Battery Setup
    Posted: 17 Mar 2025 at 3:00pm
Hello, I'm needing to replace the battery in my 2018 rpod and am upgrading to 2 batteries. My original idea was to connect these batteries with a switch like this switch https://g.co/kgs/bAMJwfR.  I used this type of setup on one of my boats and it worked out great. I currently use a small solar panel that I plug in to the side of the rpod and move around manually. The solar panel does have a controller built in so it doesn't over charge the battery.

I guess my question is, is this a good idea for a 2 battery setup? will having my switch set to both batteries still charge both batteries equally with solar panel and the aux power from my pickup?

Thanks in advance
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3393 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2025 at 5:17pm
Since this setup worked well on your boat, it should work equally well on your rpod.  As long as your  vehicle and 7 pin Bargman plug is setup for charging, you will be good to go.  I have batteries of different ages so I use one at a time, changing out when the voltage drops to 12.2.  I carry two 12v, they are: 14 year old Interstate deep cycle and a 4.5 year old Trojan T-1275.  Without using solar or generator I can go off-grid for 6 days when night temps are in the 40's with day temps in the 50's or better.

Having both batteries of the same age is critically important and you will have that setup - good to go.



Edited by jato - 17 Mar 2025 at 5:20pm
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KarlHavoc View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote KarlHavoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2025 at 1:03am
I spoke to a local RV dealer today and they made it sound like it was going to be an issue with switching to both batteries. 
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3393 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2025 at 5:31am
I don't understand their reason why.  If you are using a pair of 6v and wire together in 'series' to get 12v you are set.  If you wire a pair of 12v together in 'parallel' you still have 12 volts.  I would entertain their thoughts as to why either of the above scenarios would not work for you.
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Posts: 431 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2025 at 9:06am
Originally posted by jato

.. I carry two 12v, they are: 14 year old Interstate deep cycle ...


jato, if that battery gets any older it's going to be eligible for Social Security.
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3393 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2025 at 5:37pm
Originally posted by gpokluda

Originally posted by jato

.. I carry two 12v, they are: 14 year old Interstate deep cycle ...


jato, if that battery gets any older it's going to be eligible for Social Security.


LOL  I would like that.  Seriously though, it has had an impressive run.  I last charged in November 1, it received a 2 amp trickle charge for 24 hours.  Since then it has been sitting directly on the concrete floor in our unheated garage in northern Michigan.  Checked it just a few minutes ago, so it has been about 140 days since getting the charge - reading is 12.39v with ambient temp of 36.  So it doesn't have the oomph it used to have, but last year it would still last 2 days when we ran the furnace in 40 degree weather.  The more robust Trojan T-1275 reads 12.63v but it is nearly new at 4.5 years of age.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1221 		Post Options Post Options   Quote mjlrpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 3:04pm
I don't understand using a switch. If you put two batteries in parallel, they should draw down equally (within reason), and charge equally. At least thats the way it works in my camper. My batteries stay within about 3 % of each other
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 431 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 3:18pm
Originally posted by mjlrpod

I don't understand using a switch. If you put two batteries in parallel, they should draw down equally (within reason), and charge equally. At least thats the way it works in my camper. My batteries stay within about 3 % of each other

Me neither. This is big on the Escape forum as well. Folks will have two battery banks with a switch between them to switch from one bank to the other. Seems to be a thing in the boating world, but I'm not a boater so I guess I am missing it.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6472 		Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 4:38pm
It makes sense for a boat. If you accidentally run down your battery while out fishing, you can switch and still start your engine to get home.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2025 at 10:52am
Might be why they put two separate ignitions in airplane engines too.
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