What battery to put in enclosed trailer with heater

[ndmtnsledder]

I can't seem to get into the old forum and the couple great threads it had about setting up trailers. Anyway I working on finally getting started on my project I've been planning since last winter. I will have a 30000btu forced air heater and some lights running in the trailer. I don't plan to camp in it just use it for repairs and such. I know everyone recommends 2 6volt golfcart batteries but for the prices I've seen I don't really need that much capacity. If we have a major break down I can plug the trailer in to an outlet or run a generator. What batteries is everyone using and were are you finding the best prices either 12volt deep cycles or 6volt golf cart batteries.

Also my trailer is a united express and the lights inside are about a 4" round white cover with a bulb inside. Is there any lights that are brighter that don't take a huge draw. I've found RV florescent lights that seem like they would be bright but how do they work in the cold. Thanks for any information.

 

[Good to Go]

We've got florescents in ours. Never had a problem due to the cold.

Old forum is gone. So are those good threads..

 

[F-Bomb]

Keep in mind that you can't run that heater furnace fan without 12v so if your battery discharges it isn't going to operate on the generator or plug in 110. You have to either recharge the 12v batteries or run off of a "converter" power source driven by shore 110 or the generator. Opposite of trying to run 110 from your battery that requires inverted power.

Our furnace runs a solid 24hrs on 12v single deep cycle marine battery. BIG trailer and running steadily. It's fully recharged by the tow vehicle in a 2 hr drive for another days use. I've never had to put an outside charge on that battery. On multi day stays without running the tow vehicle we charge it up with a charger and the generator. The furnace fan draws like crazy compared to simple 12v lighting. Inverting and running 110 flourescent lighting in a small 4 place trailer (2 or 3 banks of lights) doesn't draw much at all.

 

[mattymac]

Im getting ready to install a forced air furnace into my 4pl inclosed. I have one 12v deep cycle battery, plenty of 12v lighting, and complete sound system throughout the trailer. The battery will hold for a long time on a single charge, I just recently installed some solar pannels that are good for like 6" of snow and still create power, reverse diodes, so it doesnt back draw at night, and overcharge protection. It can recharge the battery in "sufficient light" in a few hours.

 

[DallanC]

A good deep cycle battery is going to cost you around $100. Why not spend a tad more and get this? Then you have 12volt along with 110vt to run power tools for your maintance and other needs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94678


-DallanC

 

[ndmtnsledder]

The trailer already has a 110v to 12v converter installed along with a switch. sounds like you guys are getting plenty out of a 12v deep cycle for my needs so I think I will stick to going that way instead of the 2 6volts which will cost quite a bit more.

What batteries are you guys using and which series I found a chart showing approximate AH for different sizes and the series 27 looked pretty decent at 105AH on average. I've heard alot of good things about the optimas with a decent price compared to some others but on the other hand I found the local CarQuest can get me a Series 27 AGM deepcycle for $120.

As far as the generator I don't really want to always have to hook up a generator just for lights and the noise and gas of the generator don't sound as good as pulling power off the pickup on the drive to charge a battery.

 

[BigT]

I totally agree with the 6 volt batteries. Not necessarily golf cart ones but deep cycle. If you do the math with their outputs you will find that they will last significantly longer per charge than comparable 12v batteries.

BigT

 

[SLEDtv.org]

No matter what go with a Deep cycle battery. If you want the ultimate setup run 2 6v Golf Cart batteries together.

Personally on my boat a I have 2 banks of 4 6v golf cart batteries each and I can run an 8000BTU ac unit and water pump for hours just on one bank, it will even start and run my other 15,000btu ac as well for some period of time.

 

[John]

Travel trailer here but...

I just converted from two deep cycle to the golf cart set-up because I needed more AH for extended dry camping. $430.00 for the whole thing installed (box, cable, bats, install) and it works great! That said, it sounds like you have your draw figured and have decided you don't need that much. If I was you I'd go with the red top Optima, zero maintenance and they last almost twice as long as a standard deep cycle. We have one in our little battery powered lift here at work that has been abused (run for 3-4 hours and put up for 6 months) that I picked up 4 years ago and it hasn't failed yet. I think there is a 3 year warrantee as well.

 

[douglascountyrider]

I realize this is a snowmobile forum, but you should really just go talk to a good camper dealer. They are all set up for 12 volt and they should be able to give you the tricks.

 

[Midge907]

check some of the RV forums for extra info. I run 2 6V golf cart batteries, but I fun a 110v rv furnace rather then a 12v rv furnace. I run the generator more often then I want, but I do have 2 more 6V batteries I plan on installing.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

i use a interstate truck battery and hook it up so it charges off my truck when running--i also hook a switch in the truck to the thermostat so i can turn it on i 1/2 hr before we get to the parking lot and i leave it on while riding just turned down to 50 degrees--have never had to charge battery---

 

[ndmtnsledder]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I ended up going with a 12volt AGM deep cycle battery has a 3yr warranty so I should be in good shape. WyomingTA you have any pictures of the inside of your trailer. I know you had some on the old forum but couldn't find any on the new one.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

here you go

 

[mysledblows]

Ever have a problem with the tank being inside the trailer??

 

[Wyoming T/A]

Ever have a problem with the tank being inside the trailer??

nope==have installed 8 heaters just like mine and no problems--these heaters draw external combustion and are about the safest i could find

 

[Supplicate]

hey T/A, how much do you charge to install one of those heaters? Going to be picking up a newer trailer and need a heater for this season.

 

[Sako7STW]

hey T/A, how much do you charge to install one of those heaters? Going to be picking up a newer trailer and need a heater for this season.

Ditto on that ?