Comments on: Our Portable Battery Bank.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:03:52 +0000

I also find that my Airstream ’06 Safari SE 28ft rear bed, which is also equipped from factory with 2 group 24 Batteries is well under powered for the amount of electrical equipment onboard, especially if boondocking, even overnight. When we purchased the trailer we bought a 3500i Generator, but to charge the 2 batteries off the convertor takes all day, so one must use a rapid battery charger, and that still is hours of generator noise not to mention you still don’t have enough juice to do much after dark. We try to avoid boondocking because we don’t want to disturb the quietness of the surroundings with the noise of a 65db generator. My current plan now that I am a little more mobile (another story) is to set up a 3 bank battery system, 4 if you include the tow vehicle battery. I will replace the group 24 12volts with a pair of 6volt batteries in series for 12volt total. The existing battery box is just big enough for that, next I will add a high output alternator to my Dodge truck, I can get a good quality 225volt highout put with proper voltage regulation for the truck systems and marine style switching for the 2 battery battery banks I will set up in the bed of the truck, along the sides of the bed slide tray that is installed to load and unload gear. My plan is to install 1or 2 size 8D industrial 12volt baterries on either side of the bed slide. From my measurments I have enough room. I also have heavy duty wiring form the engine compartment to the inside of the canopy from a prior camper 7 way plug that had been installed which I thing can be reused to route the wiring. this should give me close between 800 and 900amp/hrs of stored power between the 2 banks which I will connect to the trailer with a 12 volt quick connect to the existing original battery bank. I have not run this by my trailer mechanic but I think it will work, and we will back it up with both a solar power bank and the generator when and if needed. Which should give us more then adequate boondocking ability for camping off grid and away from the crowds. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Am I overshooting the mark. BTW my dodge has plenty of load capacity for the batteries so weight is not an issue in the truck. and the canopy has a full 12 foot expanded steel mesh covered ladder rack that solar panels can be attached to.

By: Good news, bad news | Nuestra casa rodante - Our Airstream, travels and such...

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:34:54 +0000

[...] has done a great job in conserving. As far as power, I created my extra battery box similar to this one so we have had 4 batteries for the duration. However we have been running the generator regularly [...]

By: Roger

Roger — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:13:03 +0000

I really like this idea and I have a place to store it on trips (the bed of the truck). Another thing that is fun to have is a switch for your running lights. I have a female connector that loops two wires with a fuse. I believe it is the brown and black. That way I can have my running lights on for some ambiance when we are parked. It helps the drain if you have all LED’s in the lights.

By: Mali Mish - Let Go. » Blog Archive » The Never Ending Debate: Generator vs. Solar Panels.

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:07:22 +0000

[...] « Our Portable Battery Bank. [...]

By: Rich Luhr

Rich Luhr — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:51:08 +0000

Very clever, Dan! I always advise people to install extra battery power before they go with solar, or buy a generator. It’s the best bang for the buck overall. The only issue is weight, and where to put the batteries. Looks like you’ve solved those problems by making the batteries portable.