| Advice needed [message #138481] |
Thu, 11 August 2011 14:44  |
 |
Denis UK
Messages: 21
Registered: June 2011
Location: Norfolk UK
Karma: 0
|
Junior Member |
|
|
Hi, I'm planning on removing generator and replacing with a bank of batteries.At present i have the engine battery up front along with a house battery, in rear i have two batteries serving the generator and house systems. I dont feel the need for a generator certainly not for the A/C (i'm in the UK) i will purchase a small portable for the occasional back up. The old buzz box was replaced with a progressive Dynamics 60w charger, my question is would i be able to add 4 more batteries to the two i already have giving me 6 house batteries and rely on the charger to look after them or would i need to add some other form of charging system?
Thanks Denis.
1973 Glacier
|
|
|
|
| Re: Advice needed [message #138484 is a reply to message #138481] |
Thu, 11 August 2011 15:07  |
 |
Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Denis UK wrote on Thu, 11 August 2011 15:44 |
Hi, I'm planning on removing generator and replacing with a bank of batteries.At present i have the engine battery up front along with a house battery, in rear i have two batteries serving the generator and house systems. I dont feel the need for a generator certainly not for the A/C (i'm in the UK) i will purchase a small portable for the occasional back up. The old buzz box was replaced with a progressive Dynamics 60w charger, my question is would i be able to add 4 more batteries to the two i already have giving me 6 house batteries and rely on the charger to look after them or would i need to add some other form of charging system?
Thanks Denis.
|
Denis,
This is a very doable project. With no AC for load, there is a lot less demand. The only thing I think you may be missing is the water heater, running that from battery power could be an issue.
The only truly successful multi-part house bank I have ever done had each 12v unit attached to the main buss with a big circuit breaker. There were two reasons for this.
- First was that if a cell in one unit should fail, it will not be able to use the others units to provide power for the explosion.
- Second was to allow the units of the bank to be charged independently on some occasions to keep them all at maximum charge. Lead Acid batteries are just not happy about being charged in parallel.
I used breakers because it was a boat, but battery switches and big fuses (like 100~150 amp - available from car audio places) would do as well.
There is a good chance that you could get three more pairs where the APU lived if you cleared it out and made a dedicated battery space there. You will probably also want one of those remote battery water topping deals.
Go for it.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Advice needed [message #138511 is a reply to message #138481] |
Thu, 11 August 2011 16:26 |
rssbob
Messages: 259
Registered: January 2004
Location: La Mesa, Ca. (San Diego a...
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Denis,
On my last coach I went with 4 house batteries and one engine. I used the Ragusa trays, 2 batt tray & 3 batt tray, which got all the batteries up front under the hoods. I used Optima batteries to eliminate routine maintenance. You can see my stuff on the photo site under rssbob.
If you pull the generator you should have lots of room for a bank of batteries.
Bob
On Aug 11, 2011, at 12:44 PM, Denis ORiordan wrote:
>
>
> Hi, I'm planning on removing generator and replacing with a bank of batteries.At present i have the engine battery up front along with a house battery, in rear i have two batteries serving the generator and house systems. I dont feel the need for a generator certainly not for the A/C (i'm in the UK) i will purchase a small portable for the occasional back up. The old buzz box was replaced with a progressive Dynamics 60w charger, my question is would i be able to add 4 more batteries to the two i already have giving me 6 house batteries and rely on the charger to look after them or would i need to add some other form of charging system?
> Thanks Denis.
> --
> 1973 Glacier
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Bob Sobrito
78 Palm Beach
La Mesa, Ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Advice needed [message #138640 is a reply to message #138481] |
Fri, 12 August 2011 03:22 |
Gail Marks Cruiser
Messages: 125
Registered: August 2009
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
G'day all,
Denis, We first fitted Solar to our old Bedford Bus and never looked back.
I went Solar from the day we bought our GMC.
We fitted 4x6volt batteries in the front and 4x123watt panels on the roof, and a 1500w inverter/charger. Some photos- http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=35575&title=installing-solar&cat=5582
For hot water we fitted a gas/electric storage unit, our fridge is a Waeco 12/24 volt.
We kept the roof air as whilst working at rallies and shows they usually provide power. We prefer to camp in the bush, where the solar and bigger water tanks all come into their own.
I'm always keen to talk Solar.
Mark Bennett
Gail & Mark's Cruiser
Gold Coast, Australia.
Motorhoming Lifestyle.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Advice needed [message #138646 is a reply to message #138503] |
Fri, 12 August 2011 05:27 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
sorry about that link to Work's paper, on batteries and solar, try here
http://www.gmcws.org/Tech/GMC_Battery_Presentation_-_Jerry_Work.pdf
gene
On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 1:55 PM, gene Fisher <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
> here are a few things to read
>
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.info/living#DEMAND
>
> and
>
> GMC Battery presentation v3 reduced.pdf
>
> gene
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 1:43 PM, Denis ORiordan <denis.oriordan@sky.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi Matt,
>> Thanks for the advice, you are absolutely right regarding the water heater, I'll do as you advise, sounds good especially the auto top up (didn't consider that)
>> Thanks again
>> Regards Denis
>> --
>> 1973 Glacier
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and -------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: Advice needed [message #138666 is a reply to message #138640] |
Fri, 12 August 2011 08:46 |
|
Denis UK
Messages: 21
Registered: June 2011
Location: Norfolk UK
Karma: 0
|
Junior Member |
|
|
Hi Mark
Nice work on the coach, first R/H drive i've seen, im assuming door was relocated too?
As for the solar panels i can see that would work for you but here in the UK we are not so fortunate, also my coach is under cover when not in use. I will be going with the battery bank though in place of the onan.
Thanks for the info
Denis.
1973 Glacier
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
