TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Technical Discussions > Electrical
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-18-2022, 09:00 PM   #1
mikegascon1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 25
Default New batteries

I just purchased a used, 2007 3124. I am going to assume the battery needs some help. I believe it has Sat, nearly dead for a while.
I am trying to read the differences on types of batteries. I have read positive things about gold cart batteries. If they are so good, why don't more people run them? Maybe people are and I just don't know ow it.

I will be adding solar in the future. I do t believe that changes the type of battery to get now, does it?
Any suggestions on what type or brand to get? Lead acid? Gold cart? Others? I assume buying local is best because shipping would probably be pretty high.


Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
__________________
Mike
2007 3124 KB
mikegascon1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2022, 09:37 PM   #2
Wavery
TrailManor Master
 
Wavery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikegascon1 View Post
I just purchased a used, 2007 3124. I am going to assume the battery needs some help. I believe it has Sat, nearly dead for a while.
I am trying to read the differences on types of batteries. I have read positive things about gold cart batteries. If they are so good, why don't more people run them? Maybe people are and I just don't know ow it.

I will be adding solar in the future. I do t believe that changes the type of battery to get now, does it?
Any suggestions on what type or brand to get? Lead acid? Gold cart? Others? I assume buying local is best because shipping would probably be pretty high.


Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
I have been running 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries for many years. My preferred brand is Trojan T105 or T125. There are newer tech batteries but they are pricey.

I once made the mistake of buying Interstate 6V batteries from Costco. Never again.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
Wavery is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2022, 05:03 PM   #3
rickst29
yes, they hunt lions.
 
rickst29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,318
Default Yes shipping costs are high.

If you add your location into your signature, I can advise of possible Trojan sellers within your range. For west coast States and Denver, CO, the following seller is a great source for Trojan batteries: https://www.onlinebatterysale.com/sh...and-locations/

Truck freight is typically about $150 - a low cost if you're buying six batteries, but a very high cost if you're buying only 2.With freight included, this site ships two T105s to anywhere continental USA for a bit under $500.
- - -
Traditional T105s are not sealed batteries, and you must be careful to maintain the water levels and not overcharge them. Being lead-acid, you must also avoid leaving them under-charged for extended periods (and the OEM "WFCO" power converter will leave at low-state-of-charge.In storage, a decent battery maintainer can make up for the WFCO deficiencies.

Wavery can advise you of his charging equipment, discharge habits, and expected lifespan.(My own previous lead-acid batteries were crap, not Trojan or Crown batteries).
- - -
Per another Thread, I would just bite the bullet and install a '230Ah' LFP battery pack instead. If you stay with the more-or-less defective WFCO power converter board, you can just set the DP switches as if you have "AGM batteries", and it will do OK. I recommend an upgrade into the Wildkat MBA unit, or the Victron equivalent charger with the BT add-on for configuring it. Either can fit inside the WFCO panel lower box).

LFP costs more. 4 cells (with posts, nuts, and 4 inadequate "bus bars" included) costs $444 from a good USA supplier. A 200A JDB BMS (better than my Daly) costs another $125. You can fix the busbar problem by simply buying 2 feet of 1/8 x 1" aluminum bar, cutting and drilling it to fit as additional bus bar segments, or you can ask the seller to supply two more (total 6) so that you can stack their thin ones as a pair. That is EVERTHING you need to build an uncompressed battery pack. If you desire to stay with the WFCO charger in the TM, you will need a separate LFP charger (14.6V) for about $40 more; it might be cheaper via Alibaba.

Compressed (which might increasing lifespan from 7-12 years, up to 12-16 depending on your charging and discharging habits) adds roughly $80 more, plus considerable time. 8" x 9" Steel compression plates , cut to size and delivered, cost about $30. The compression springs (which need to provide fairly 'linear' compression in excess of 150 lbs each, before bottoming out) will cost the maybe surprising sum of $40 or so. The other $10 is just 3/8 threaded rod from the local big box store, with nuts and a few washers.
- - -
Uncompressed, as in this picture, costs $580 without the charger. (I'll be compressing after my compression plates arrive). Instead of a "225Ah" lead-acid battery, where you can use maybe 60% of it on a regular basis without shortening lifespan, you would have a slightly bigger battery (higher Ah and higher voltage) where you can use up to 80% of the capacity every single time and still end up with more than 2x the lifespan - increasing to 5x the lifespan with compression, and with a decent charger/power converter replacing the WFCO main board assembly, at a cost around $900.

When you've got the bench charger and WFCO MBA replacement already purchased, no don't need to buy them again when add another battery. The second one costs either $580 or $660.

I will never go back to lead acid batteries. Attached is the photo of my new one, charging up (not yet compressed) from the battery charger I already own.
For only 25% more money (no charger, no compression) than a "shipped" pair of Trojan or Crown Golf Cart batteries, you get a battery which lasts
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Eve-230-uncompressed-with-bad-bus-bars.jpg
Views:	49
Size:	343.4 KB
ID:	20639  
__________________
TM='06 2619 w/5K axle, 15" Maxxis "E" tires. Plumbing protector. 630 watts solar. 450AH LiFePO4 batteries, 3500 watt inverter. CR-1110 E-F/S fridge (compressor).
TV = 2007 4runner sport, with a 36 volt "power boost".
rickst29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2022, 11:22 AM   #4
Wavery
TrailManor Master
 
Wavery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,824
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rickst29 View Post

Truck freight is typically about $150 - a low cost if you're buying six batteries, but a very high cost if you're buying only 2.With freight included, this site ships two T105s to anywhere continental USA for a bit under $500.
- - -
As you mention, it would be good to know what area the OP is located.

In SoCal, there are many dealers and I used to buy (last year) T105s for under $100 each. I priced them last month and they were $160 each.

It would be simple enough to got to the Trojan website and find a dealer.
__________________
TrailManor Elkmont
640W solar- 230AH LiFeP04 Battery
Wavery is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2022, 01:38 PM   #5
rickst29
yes, they hunt lions.
 
rickst29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,318
Default That seller has a warehouse in Portland

for local pickup of T105 "plus" @ $171 each.
https://www.onlinebatterysale.com/pr...cycle-flooded/
__________________
TM='06 2619 w/5K axle, 15" Maxxis "E" tires. Plumbing protector. 630 watts solar. 450AH LiFePO4 batteries, 3500 watt inverter. CR-1110 E-F/S fridge (compressor).
TV = 2007 4runner sport, with a 36 volt "power boost".
rickst29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2022, 02:14 PM   #6
mikegascon1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 25
Default

I am located close to Portland, OR. Technically, I am in Vancouver, Washington.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
__________________
Mike
2007 3124 KB
mikegascon1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2022, 11:56 AM   #7
Kmikesell
TrailManor Master
 
Kmikesell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 300
Default

I paid $170.00 in December for Trojan 105's
__________________
Moved to the "Dark Side" (Pop up's for 15 years)
Bought what DW calls "The Golden Unicorn"
TM 2006 2720sl
DH/DW 2018 Ford F-150
North Utah
Kmikesell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2022, 08:20 AM   #8
JimLilly
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 12
Default

Hey Mike I've been using two 6 volt golf cart batteries for years also with good results. The longest we've camped off grid is about 7 days and had power the entire time. I do have 200 watts of solar on the roof of the TM. Changed all lights out to LEDs. Run hot water and fridge on propane.
__________________
Jim & Linda
TrailManor 2720 SL Purchased 6/6/2016
Chevy Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L V8
JimLilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
deep cycle battery choices Larryjb Electrical 5 05-06-2019 12:40 PM
Is it time to buy new batteries? robertrael Electrical 8 02-06-2017 03:33 PM
Why TM batteries are not (normally) charged by Tow Vehicles rickst29 Electrical 10 04-17-2016 03:54 PM
Charging The Batteries From The TV While Running The Refrigerator On Battery Philip Electrical 75 03-08-2015 08:00 AM
TM Batteries Bill TrailManor Technical Library 0 07-13-2007 09:56 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.