Huge battery vs two medium sized ones

[ThirstyCamel]

When faced with this question myself I went with a single group 31 battery. It was easier to fit into the space I had; less complex of an electrical setup and able to supply a larger amp draw than two seperate smaller battries can. The simpler setup, to me, translates to more reliability. I also found that finding a deal on a group 31 battery was not all that difficult. I am in the process of building my trailer out now and plan on a second battery on it that can be pressed into service in my rig if need be.

 

[cwsqbm]

...and when your Rig doesn't start you'll be stranded, get hungry and eat the rotten food and become sick and die.

Don't eat rotten food and die, bring one of these along:

http://www.alten-dc.com/gasoline-powered-dc-generators/item/149-12-volt-55-amp-gas-powered-battery-charger.html

I like that it provides a lot more DC current than a normal Honda 1000 generator. It'd be great where you want to use it to top off the batteries every few days instead of using a generator anytime you need any A/C, but the lack of sound insulation means its a lot louder too. Its about the same size and price.

 

[G35Vortec454]

I like that it provides a lot more DC current than a normal Honda 1000 generator. It'd be great where you want to use it to top off the batteries every few days instead of using a generator anytime you need any A/C, but the lack of sound insulation means its a lot louder too. Its about the same size and price.

The alten IS a generator, a DC generator and it's putting out 660W only. Furthermore, it doesn't deliver multi-stage charging.

The Honda EU1000i which can be had for about the same price, even less "used", can output 880W AC. When used with an RV-style 60A DC multi-stage charger (for $150, or less, extra), the Honda is a better value. The charger then can be used at home plugged into the house to properly charge batteries, without running the generator. And the fact that you can use the Honda during power outages, is a bonus.



The Alten is a nice concept but I would not have it for myself. It would be good for bulk charging (the first stage of charging) but not to top off batteries to a fully charged state. What's worse if you forget to turn it off, it will ocercharge/ damage your battery. With the 3-stage charger, you can leave it on indefinitely to trickle chsrge your batteries.

 

[peekay]

all of the reasons given in support of 2 batteries can be boiled down to this: you should not be depleting large amounts of power from the battery responsible for starting your car. Keep the aux battery separate from your starting battery. Deep discharges affect any battery--I don't care if it's a $50 walmart special or $300 Deka, Odessey, etc. You can use all the fancy technologies there are, e.g. LV regulator, gel batteries, etc. But when it comes down to it, the simple solution is the best--have two separate batteries separated by an isolator.

That click/tap sound from a starter starved for power is no fun, especially in the middle of nowhere.