Adding a 2nd battery

[jodiesel2]

While dry camping in chilly weather it became apparent that I needed a second battery. I purchased an identical battery to the existing. I'll be routing large diameter cables to connect the 2 together via the posts. These units have both automotive posts and studs. All of the trailers connections are on the studs. My question is, should I split the trailer's connectors between the two batteries or keep them all connected to one battery?

Thanks

[dedmiston]

bighog01 wrote:
You guys are correct. You know what I meant:S

[bighog01]

You guys are correct. You know what I meant:S

[Dirtclods]

dedmiston wrote:

bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

I think you mean serial, not parallel. If you connect them parallel, you'll just have one long-running 6v system instead of 12v.

When going to the 6 volters, you must wire pairs of them in (series) to produce the needed 12 volts.

[dedmiston]

bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

I think you mean serial, not parallel. If you connect them parallel, you'll just have one long-running 6v system instead of 12v.

[Farmboy666]

bighog01 wrote:
2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

You have to run them in series to get 12v.

[lincster]

2 6V's will solve your heater problem overnight.

[Dirtclods]

Great info

http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

[bighog01]

2 New 6 volt batteries ran parallel is the way to go.

[Farmboy666]

Hook the batteries together in parallel and run everything form that. I would start with 2 new deep cycles.

[nayther]

twodownzero wrote:
You should split the trailer's connectors to make them draw more evenly. Also, if your current battery is more than a year old, I highly recommend that you change both of them, and if you have space, buy a real deep cycle battery or batteries rather than another RV battery.

Everything I've read says no. Connect the two in parallel, then the ground from one goes to the trailer ground and the other battery positive goes to the trailer "load" I've heard it referred to as "balanced" that way. Also if you're first battery is very old, or has been mistreated you may not get as much out of the added one as you'd like. And like twodownzero said, buy true deep cycle batteries or two 6 volt golf cart batteries.

[Lwiddis]

Are your units true deep cycle batteries?

[twodownzero]

You should split the trailer's connectors to make them draw more evenly. Also, if your current battery is more than a year old, I highly recommend that you change both of them, and if you have space, buy a real deep cycle battery or batteries rather than another RV battery.