Camper - New Batteries For Old

The new installation - one goes in the battery box -
the other rests under the bed. I will
install a hold-down strap.

The camper is charging in our driveway. See green cord.

What a nice way to spend Thanksgiving morning. I am thankful for the new batteries for our camper. A camper has a lot of electrical devices that need a lot of power. Campers have at least two batteries - one for the engine up front - and one or more in the back for the coach. That way - when you are camping - you can use the appliances without worrying whether your engine will start and you can drive home. 

My Roadtrek has two coach batteries. The ones I had were 5 years old - they still worked well - but they were getting a little tired. So I decided to replace them. The old batteries were simple lead/acid batteries. I wanted the newer AGM batteries because they have a few neat features. First - they are sealed so there is not worry of them leaking acid or hydrogen gas. Second - they can be stored in any position - there is no worry about acid coming out. Third - they are supposed to last longer. Finally - you can put them anywhere. 

Of course in a perfect world - I would have bought a lithium battery. They are smaller - lighter - but more expensive. Our size would have cost $2000. We have lithium batteries on our bikes. 

Sam's sells Duracell AGM Batteries with 105 amp hours of power for $179 each. I bought two giving us 210 amp hours of power to use. I was tempted to get four because we have plenty of room under the king size bed in the back. 

They were easy to install.  The old batteries are still good - they hold a full charge. I can use them for other jobs - like when the power fails in Tallahassee. 

The batteries can be charged in 3 ways. 1 - you can plug the camper into a wall outlet. 2 - you can turn on the on-board Onan generator. 3 - or the batteries charge from the engine when you are going down the road. 

Here are a few things that use battery power in a camper - light - television - furnace fan - refrigerator - water pump - smoke alarm - gas alarm - carbon monoxide alarm - vacuum cleaner - range hood vent - TV antenna booster - power converter (12 volt to 120 volt). To run the air conditioner and microwave - you still have to use the generator.

The last batteries were still going strong after 5 years - these batteries should last at least that long. They have an 18 month full replacement warranty. They can replaced at any Sam's store. 

These are the old lead/acid batteries. They are
5 years old and still hold a 12.78 charge.

I used my "crane" to lift them out.

The finished look - one battery under the carpet in box -
one battery on top - under bed.
They are wired in parallel circuit.
They deliver 12 volt DC - 210 AH