PTParaD TRs and Shenanigans

[jbrostek]

Good info. I have yet to clamp and monitor the coleman startup. Based on how my 6500 genset responds, its a lot less amerpage startup then my last rigs dometics. Still have not pulled the trigger yet. Decided to start with upgrading the internet router for the RV first to something a little faster. Though this spring I will have a couple 12v LiFePo4 batteries to work with once I build the new 36v battery packs for a friends golf cart using raw cells. I think if I jsut start small and work my way up that should be fine. I keep wanted to just pull the trigger and do the whole thing up front and of course get some push back from the DW on the cost of that.

 

[Teamubr]

I keep wanted to just pull the trigger and do the whole thing up front and of course get some push back from the DW on the cost of that.

I can relate. I have 2 of the six 6 volt coach batteries in my rig that are bad. They are all flooded lead acid. I want to upgrade to AGM so I don't have to mess with watering them. I have found the GC2 AGM batteries at O'Reilly Auto Parts for about $250 a piece. That's almost $100 less than some other places and they seem to be decent. Problem is, I've read you shouldn't mix battery types or age, so I can't just replace the 2 bad ones. Six AGMs get's pricey.

The 2 bad ones are drawing down the other 4, so I may just pull those two and see how it goes with just 4 batteries and slowly acquire the 6 new AGMs over the summer.

j

 

[jbrostek]

I could never justify the AGM when I had my bus. I could go through two sets of FLA before covering the AGM which only had a estimated 2 extra years. I invested into the watering system insteach which was perfect.

 

[Teamubr]

AGMs seemed to have a slightly better discharge profile along with the extended life. I'll look at the watering systems. I didn't know they existed. That would save a ton of money and let me swap them all now. My batteries all have this type cap system and the cables interfere with about half of them and I have to remove the cables to get the caps off. All this working with about 6 inches of clearance, using a flashlight and mirror to add water.



This is the lovely compartment I get to work in. I know this isn't a lot different from many Class As, but is a bear to work in.



j

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

The lithium batteries are sure great. The inverter is great, but I think they're the best part of my set up. They give so much flexibility and no maintenance.

I wish I'd waited a few minutes to get the Multi-Plus II. I had just finished it and celebrated my triumph of my Multi-PlusI install working when I sat down and watched a youtuber talk about the Multi-Plus II that evening.

 

[team bradfield]

My batteries are on a slide out tray that locks in place, very convenient

 

[Teamubr]

My batteries are on a slide out tray that locks in place, very convenient

Where's that tongue sticking out emoji?

Mine are down in a weld in tray a few inches below the level of the compartment door. You literally have to lift them up and over the tray/door entry. All the while not hitting the terminals on the metal trim. Someone mentioned using a floor jack to raise them up to slide out. Genius, if I have an open floor.

j

 

[team bradfield]

Where's that tongue sticking out emoji?

I looked everywhere, couldn't find one LOL

If I could dig out the bus, I'd get a picture of it...

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Where's that tongue sticking out emoji?

Mine are down in a weld in tray a few inches below the level of the compartment door. You literally have to lift them up and over the tray/door entry. All the while not hitting the terminals on the metal trim. Someone mentioned using a floor jack to raise them up to slide out. Genius, if I have an open floor.

j

Some brilliant engineer at work there.

 

[jbrostek]

@Teamubr You are lucky, because that spacing is very golf car like. This system would work for you easilly.

https://www.amazon.com/Z-GO-6-6v-Battery-Watering-System/dp/B089T82WS6
https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-Pro-Fill-Watering-48V-batteries/dp/B07Z6RNXY8
https://www.campingworld.com/on-boa...-volt-kit-for-six-6-volt-batteries-77296.html

Flowrite was the system I had for 4 6v batteries. Both are easy to water the batteries and why I didnt go AGM, but that was also 10 years ago. But if 6 new wet cells and this are less then 6 AGM, why not.

both kits need a pump, too.

 

[Teamubr]

Thanks James.

This is the one I found that covers 6 six volts. I'll check out your links too.



I'll definitely go this route. I can get a 215 amp/hr GC2 Diehard for $144 through Advance Auto parts or a GC2 AGM from O'Reilly for $235. Others are $3-400 I'll save the $180+ per pair and go with a $150 waterer.

j

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

I signed out of the Army today. It was a weird feeling to take off my uniform for the last time. DW came along for the occasion to fill out some spouse paperwork.


As @Teamubr said to me elsewhere, time to get camping!

 

[Teamubr]

Congrats! Again.

j

 

[bama_ed]

I signed out of the Army today. It was a weird feeling to take off my uniform for the last time. DW came along for the occasion to fill out some spouse paperwork.
View attachment 737183

As @Teamubr said to me elsewhere, time to get camping!

Welcome back to civilian life, Jack.

Hope the knee continues to mend.

Ed

PS - when you bringing the family to camp on the Alabama Gulf Coast?

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Welcome back to civilian life, Jack.

Hope the knee continues to mend.

Ed

PS - when you bringing the family to camp on the Alabama Gulf Coast?

Thanks. I have a cane instead of crutches now. My kids are having a blast making old man jokes even more than usual. It's getting closer to being ok. I just can't really squat yet or hit stairs with much gusto yet.

Not sure when we'll make it that way. Scout camp is TEN days in our council so I'm a little committed for vacation for a few years until I can stack up some balance in the account. Our brief time at Gulf Shores in '21 was enough of a taste to want to come back though.

 

[Teamubr]

Our brief time at Gulf Shores in '21 was enough of a taste to want to come back though.

Let me know when you're ready. That's just a quick 12 hour drive for me.

j

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Let me know when you're ready. That's just a quick 12 hour drive for me.

j

Just a short 15 hours for me .

It's JUST a bit outside long weekend territory, but hopefully I can land a job with some flexibility and bop around a bit while working during the week days

 

[tigger92662]

Our brief time at Gulf Shores in '21 was enough of a taste to want to come back though.

We're in!

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

We're in!

Looks like we got us a convoy

Evidently Convoy the movie, a la Kristofferson, is too obscure for giphy, so we'll have to settle for Snowman and Cletus Fred the beagle.

 

[bama_ed]

Let me know when you're ready. That's just a quick 12 hour drive for me.

j

Jim flies low to the ground from Illinois to the Alabama Gulf Coast.