Do I NEED a dual battery setup?

[ghenry0007]

I've seen multiple forum posts out there about how to set up a dual battery, where to store it, and how to wire it... But I really don't know if I actually NEED it. I really don't use auxiliary power all that often, but when I do, I'm not using it to power up a fridge or anything. Most I'll be using is around 6kWh in a day, between 3-5 days in a row... I always carry a portable battery jumper box with me. I currently have a 1000w inverter that I just keep in the truck, not constantly connected. Couldn't I just get away with having a low-voltage battery disconnect? (I don't have a deep cycle at the moment)


I have plans to upgrade my power system down the road, but for the time being, wouldn't this work?


I know just enough about electricity to get myself hurt. Please pretend you're explaining your answers to a 5 year old.

 

[greenbull]

Dual battery set ups are primarily used to power additional lights, off road and work lights, and the fridge/freeze, which depending on the model and the temperature settings and ambient temperature, can draw a 12 volt battery down in a 36-48 hour period. So until you add more items that draw down the battery, I don't see why you would need one?

 

[crusaderJK]

6kWh per day is a lot!! What exactly do you need the power for?

 

[DiploStrat]

Enough of the Right Type

It is not that you need a dual battery set up, it is rather that you need enough battery(s) of the right type.

Battery Types:

-- Some Lead Acid batteries are generally constructed to be better at a producing a lot of current, for a short time. These are generally called "starter" batteries because they are best for starting an engine. This is what your vehicle will come with from the factory.

-- Other Lead Acid batteries are designed to be better at producing less current, but for a longer time. These are called "deep cycle" batteries and are commonly used in golf carts or forklifts. This is what you want for most camper loads, e.g., refrigerator, lights, etc.

Assuming the same voltage, these batteries can be combined for charging, but should be separated when discharging. Specifically, you don't want to subject a starter battery to a long, sustained discharge.

In many cases, your starter battery will not have enough amperage to carry all of your camper loads for as long as you want, so you install additional batteries. As you are trying to meet a "camper" load, it makes sense that these additional batteries should be deep cycle batteries and that you should have some way to separate them from your starter battery when they are being discharged.

There is a bit more to all of this, but does this make sense to you?