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Old 10-20-2017, 08:07 PM   #1
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6 volt battery trickle charge

I switched to 2 6 volt deep cycle batteries for the Kodiak this summer and it was a great upgrade. However, over the winter, can I use the old 12 volt trickle charger I used on the old 12 volt battery on these 6 volt deep cycle batteries?
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Old 10-20-2017, 09:38 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Adair1965 View Post
I switched to 2 6 volt deep cycle batteries for the Kodiak this summer and it was a great upgrade. However, over the winter, can I use the old 12 volt trickle charger I used on the old 12 volt battery on these 6 volt deep cycle batteries?
Sure, as long as they are still paired for 12 volts.
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Old 10-21-2017, 01:07 PM   #3
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Sure, as long as they are still paired for 12 volts.
So I would put the negative connector on one battery and the positive connector on the second battery?
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Old 10-21-2017, 01:18 PM   #4
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So I would put the negative connector on one battery and the positive connector on the second battery?
The battery that has the cables that feed the 12 volts to the fuses or whatever is where you would attach the charger.
If unsure use your VOM to check your voltages.
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Old 10-21-2017, 09:17 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by sundancer 87 View Post
The battery that has the cables that feed the 12 volts to the fuses or whatever is where you would attach the charger.
If unsure use your VOM to check your voltages.
No, the cables don't both go to the same battery, in a 2X6volt system. Like he guessed earlier, the positive goes to the battery positive feeding the vehicle, and the negative goes to the OTHER battery negative, which should be going to chassis ground. Your description of wiring the charger to one battery would be true if he had 2 X 12 volt batteries in parallel.
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Old 10-21-2017, 10:10 PM   #6
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No, the cables don't both go to the same battery, in a 2X6volt system. Like he guessed earlier, the positive goes to the battery positive feeding the vehicle, and the negative goes to the OTHER battery negative, which should be going to chassis ground. Your description of wiring the charger to one battery would be true if he had 2 X 12 volt batteries in parallel.
Yeah, my bad. I should have specified to use the vehicle ground for the negative charger cable.
Hopefully he used the VOM to verify hookup as suggested.
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:16 PM   #7
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Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated
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Old 10-22-2017, 10:18 PM   #8
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not sure if in correct thread ....
I have a 2013 202 RBS...
does anybody know it it had a battery shut off for storage ??
I don't see one ?
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Old 10-23-2017, 11:59 AM   #9
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not sure if in correct thread ....
I have a 2013 202 RBS...
does anybody know it it had a battery shut off for storage ??
I don't see one ?

I'm installing a solar panel and a battery shut off today!
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Old 10-23-2017, 12:56 PM   #10
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Another Question

Hi all, I thought I'd add onto this thread rather than start a new. I have (2) 12V batteries on my TT. We are going to be storing it for 2 months in the Grand Junction, CO area while we take a trip overseas. In the past I've been able to plug in while gone but not this time so I'm thinking of trying a solar charger to keep the batteries topped up. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-...ustomerReviews
I assume my batteries are wired in tandem and I'd just hook the cables to one battery and it will charge both, correct?
Any other suggestion? I do not have the option of removing them and storing them in a garage, etc. They have to stay on the camper.
Thanks!
Randy
Kodiak 240 BHSL
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Old 10-23-2017, 01:31 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by rcharrette View Post
Hi all, I thought I'd add onto this thread rather than start a new. I have (2) 12V batteries on my TT. We are going to be storing it for 2 months in the Grand Junction, CO area while we take a trip overseas. In the past I've been able to plug in while gone but not this time so I'm thinking of trying a solar charger to keep the batteries topped up. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-...ustomerReviews
I assume my batteries are wired in tandem and I'd just hook the cables to one battery and it will charge both, correct?
Any other suggestion? I do not have the option of removing them and storing them in a garage, etc. They have to stay on the camper.
Thanks!
Randy
Kodiak 240 BHSL

I installed (attached with EternaBond) a 100W flexible solar panel to the roof of my RV to keep things topped off when I am not using it. I had to take into account the things that are on when no one is there, the stereo, the CO2 detector, vampire taps, etc. Running the wires (cables) down the the battery proved to be problematic.
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Old 10-23-2017, 05:02 PM   #12
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The quick shut off should be on the inside of the frame near the battery.
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Old 10-23-2017, 05:47 PM   #13
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ok thanks I will look
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:29 PM   #14
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It looks like a big dial. If its there you can't miss it.
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Old 10-24-2017, 12:38 AM   #15
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nope don't have one thanks
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Old 10-25-2017, 02:27 PM   #16
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6 volt battery trickle charge

OP, not necessarily trying to avoid your specific question but why not use the quick disconnect? Your batteries should have no problem sitting disconnected for 2 months unless your batteries are done.

Lots of theories on batteries but in general if you keep your rig plugged in all the time you are likely diminishing your battery capacity anyway. They should be deep cycle batteries that can drain way down and charge up again but if you only drain them a little and keep them fully charged that is not good because capacity decreases.

My old rig had built in solar so my batteries were always full but they very quickly drained and they would very slowly boil out water too with the constant charge on them.

You could drive yourself crazy reading on battery maintenance but IMO the best practice is to avoid constantly charging them as even a trickle charger can overdo it. Maintenance or float charger maybe but I doubt your rig has that capability built in. You would likely need an external charger for that.


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Old 10-27-2017, 02:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rcharrette View Post
Hi all, I thought I'd add onto this thread rather than start a new. I have (2) 12V batteries on my TT. We are going to be storing it for 2 months in the Grand Junction, CO area while we take a trip overseas. In the past I've been able to plug in while gone but not this time so I'm thinking of trying a solar charger to keep the batteries topped up. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-...ustomerReviews
I assume my batteries are wired in tandem and I'd just hook the cables to one battery and it will charge both, correct?
Any other suggestion? I do not have the option of removing them and storing them in a garage, etc. They have to stay on the camper.
Thanks!
Randy
Kodiak 240 BHSL
Correct.
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