Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

G'day Don,

That's a bit like those "how long is a piece of string" questions.............hahaha

It all depends on what you would be expecting the battery to "run" and for how long. If it's only a couple of flouro lights and a water pump etc, then a good idea is to use a starter-type battery, compatible with your vehicle. That way, you have a back up if your vehicle battery dies, you can swap them over.

If you're gunna be running a compressor-type fridge (please don't try to run a 3way fridge off a battery for more than about 5 minutes!!!!) and a TV/VCR and an inverter for the wife's hair-dryer etc etc, then you're gunna be needing something a little better; like a pair of AGM's etc.

Whatever you do decide you need, my advice would be to have an on-board 240v charger which would come on automatically when you plug into a power source as well as wiring the battery up to your vehicle so it's being charged as you drive along.

Good luck

Roachie

guy007 replied:

For a really good run down on what you might need check out the technical advice at:
www.fridge-and-solar.net
Should have all your answers etc

Member- Rox (WA) replied:

I used a power crank 100w Deep cycle battery & got 1 year out of it b4 I sold it with out any problems. It cost around $120 compared to $270 for better brands & I figured that I could buy 2 for that price. I ran a 40lt engle & 3 - 12v fluro lights aprox 40-50 amps per day. Recharge via Anderson plug & a battery charger.
Hope this info helps. Rox

Anthony replied:

We had the Jayco dealer install “the battery option” for about $400 when we bought a Dove OB in 2003. I knew very little about batteries and charging options then … and still learning. The Jayco battery option was to only run the 12V lights when bush camping, which we got about 4 days before needing to recharge.

The battery is a 40AmpHr seal lead acid battery and still going strong (from Taiwan – the band CS ??? – I think) was supplied with a plastic battery box and was mounted in a cupboard under one of the seats. It was connected to the onboard power supply via a standard 10amp house-type light switch to isolate the battery if/when required.

The on board Jayco power supply (Setec type used in the more recent models) is able to provide 12V power to the camper and charge a sealed lead acid or AGM type battery (quoting the Setec manual go to www.setec.com.au/pages/st20-II.html for more info).

I have recently moved the battery box to the A-frame, added a second 100AmpHr battery (not connected together), upgraded to 8 gauge wire between the battery and power supply/charger ($2.50/metre at Jaycar) and replaced the std light switch setup with 30Amp 12V switches (about $4.50 each).

Grizzle replied:

We have a Jayco Swan Outback and have 2 x 100 A/H Batteries in it. If you are using for lights only, one should be ok. We sometimes run our Waeco off for a day thats why we put 2 in.

I paid about $170 each for mine. If your Swan is new and has the Setec Convertor in it you should be OK for charging. I bought mine just before they changed and have had to wire in a "Charge and Maintain" battery charger.

Good luck