What battery type for camper trailer?

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:11
ThreadID: 129599 Views:2071 Replies:6 FollowUps:10
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Hi, what battery type should I be looking for to go on my camper trailer? It has the wires to connect and inside has the bits you plug into.. and what is the best way to charge it? it has a cord that goes from the battery to the car but the previous owner showed me that it had been broken, who would I look at to repair it? and will I need a cover/box for the battery? Thank you
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Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:18

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:18
Ash, it depends on what you want to run from the battery? As to a cover, depends on where the battery is mounted? An auto electrician can look at system and advise what you need to fix the charging system, or if you have a mate that is electrically savvy, will be cheaper that auto electrician....... Good luck. John
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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:34

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:34
Just an Engel fridge/freezer and some lighting :)
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Reply By: evaredy - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:57

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 15:57
The typical camper batteries are AGM, it will depend on what you want to run and how you intend to charge them as to the size.

Others can explain in more detail, there are simple systems and very detailed systems.

Typical system might be 200ah (Amp Hours) and a 120W to 150W solar panel to charge it when camped. You can get the "cord" repaired and then charge the batteries while driving.

As mentioned, talk to an auto sparkie about what is needed.

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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:08

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:08
Would I need to have it charging while driving and solar panels or just one or the other?

Thank you
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:32

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:32
Ideally, yes.

A suitable dual core wiring from the main battery and isolator to an anderson plug at the back of the car.
Then anderson plug on the trailer to the AGM.
You can also do it with a DC - DC charger, others with that sort of set up might explain the difference, but either way would be fine.

Solar top off is really for extended stays, if touring with the charging system from the alternator, you wouldn't need to set up solar at all with a decent AGM battery, say min 100 amp/hr to whatever you can afford, 200 amp/hr ?

My arkpak (100 amp/hr) charges fully with half a days driving when touring, or will run the fridge and led lights for a couple of nights no problems when we ever stay anywhere that long.
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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:42

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:42
I'm finding it all to be quite costly, the local battery guys in town said I was looking at $300 for the battery and near $200 for the box.. plus then the plug fixed. How much would I be looking at for the isolator and solar as well? I've seen solar panels around mostly at the $400 mark if not more.
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 19:12

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 19:12
YEah mate, good AGM not the cheapest, but best for what they need to do . . . mine was $350.

You can start with anything really though, just get it set up right, and later ou can get a good battery on special etc.
Isolator typically around $100, heavy dual core wiring not cheap though, maybe $10 a metre if you shop around ?

Battery box, only need a basic one with a couple of 12v ciggy outlets, USB outlets are handy, but you can get a ciggy one with 2 usbs to charge phones etc.
These can be got for well under $100.

I have this solar panel Ridge Ryder 100w folding . . . plenty to keep me topped up as long as reasonable sunshine.
Wait for the 20% off, this is then under $320.
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Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 19:15

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 19:15
To keep costs down, why not set up 2nd battery in the engine bay, and run wire at camp to the trailer set up ?
If the fridge is in the camper, then obviously that won't work out.

Just keep in minf voltage drop when running wiring a fairly long distance, whether charging 2nd battery, or running wire to power things.
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Follow Up By: Colcam42 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 20:16

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 20:16
A 100AH Marine battery might be a better choice than AGM, the construction supports the plates better and therefore better on a camper to handle corrugations etc; Cheaper too!
Cheers, Col
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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Friday, Jul 31, 2015 at 10:16

Friday, Jul 31, 2015 at 10:16
So any options, very confused haha, will have to do a lot of research into them all and get some quotes and see how we go. I don't mind paying a bit more for better quality and longer lasting products but trying to keep costs down a little :)
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Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 16:26

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 16:26
Ash, If you have room for only one battery, I would be putting the biggest AGM I could fit. Do you have an auxiliary battery in the car? If not, I would make sure that the battery charging system is an auto system rather than a manual system, because one day you will forget to turn it off and possibly have a flat start battery after a day or two camping.
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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:07

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:07
I have no idea what battery is currently in the car but will look into it :) thank you
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Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:24

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 17:24
Ash, when I asked if the car has an auxiliary battery, I meant two batteries, one for starting the car and the other isolated from the start battery when the ignition is turned off. It is not a type of battery. Have a read of the articles below, from this site, and you will understand electrics a bit more, enough to ask the right questions when you get things repaired etc. Good luck.

Battery Type

Battery Charging

Solar Power
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Follow Up By: Ash H1 - Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:02

Thursday, Jul 30, 2015 at 18:02
okay, I that case I'm pretty sure it doesn't, thank you will check out the links :)
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Friday, Jul 31, 2015 at 08:52

Friday, Jul 31, 2015 at 08:52
Ash,

You may find Electricity for Camping worth a read.

Cheers

John
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Reply By: Member - abqaiq - Sunday, Aug 02, 2015 at 07:45

Sunday, Aug 02, 2015 at 07:45
Have a look at "Frig and Solar" website he has a pretty good tech section and good prices on VSRs etc. If you are at all interested in keeping the weight down then think about a LiFePO4 battery at about 1/3 the weight of lead batteries [EV Power in WA] and you can use a smaller rated capacity battery as the power output is relatively constant versus a decreasing output for lead batteries.
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