This topic contains 7 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by 
Wayne Stadler 2 months, 1 week ago.
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Howdy Campers! I upgraded our battery bank yesterday with (4)-Trojan 6-volt T-105 RE 225-AH Deep cycle batteries. Trojan’s Renewable Energy (RE) Series new T-105RE is a line of advanced deep cycle batteries optimized for renewable energy applications such as solar/photo-voltaic.I like the new design life and the heavy duty construction, RV solar systems get more of a work out than a stationary system both electrically and physically in the RV environment.
Here are some of the benefits of the RE series batteries———————-
- DuraGrid™ technology provides a 10-year design life (8 years for T105-RE) and provides excellent charge efficiency
- Maxguard® XL Advanced Design Separator is 30% thicker and stronger, resists stratification, extends life and lowers overall maintenance costs
- Alpha Plus® paste formulation promotes longer life and optimum performance
- Polyon™container – the ultra-rugged case design stands up to the harshest of environments
- Lower specific gravity improves charge performance and extends life
- Best-in-class limited warranty – 5 years for T105-RE
After removal of the old battery bank I had to reconfigure the battery racks to fit the shorter T-105RE foot print. Then I revamped the battery tie-downs, and installed the new battery bank. Wired the bank for series/parallel connection, and reinstalled the battery monitor voltage wires and temperature compensation probe for the solar controller. I used the same 2/0 cross link wires to hook up the bank, as soon as I get some 2/0 3/8″ lugs I will shorten the parallel links to fit better. The T-105RE is a taller battery but has a smaller base footprint so I was pleased to find enough space to fit one of the 12-volt 105 AH batteries in the same box. I will hook it up to (2) more from the original bank in a battery box next to the main one after removing the box with (2)-ageing group 24’s. This will give us two battery banks, (4)- new T-105RE’s at 450-AH, and (3)- 12 volt deep cycles in a bank at 315-AH for a total 765-AH.
I know some of you will say “Why Do You Need That Much Power In A RV!”, but this is our home. We do a lot of “Dry Camping”, on balance I would say the most we stay in a campground is 1 or 2 days out of a month. Last season’s boondocking travels we only stayed in 4 campgrounds, that’s 3 to many for me.
I hope this helps anyone out there for “Mod’s” ideas, and any questions on the Trojan T-105RE batteries or the installation just ask away.
Also you can see pictures of the install if you go to original post “Trojan T-105RE battery bank install” in”mods and upgrades” forums.
Happy Trails Campers!!!
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Extra space for 12v 105amp battery
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Handy dandy battery lifter!
We bringing you some huckleberry coffee.
We are retired as of July 1st. 2015.
Lookin good, lookin real good!
Thanks for posting all the details and photos. What a sweet setup.
RVHH Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - LoveYourRV.comGreat info Eddie. My space only allows for 4 12 volt batteries so nice to see these are smaller. How many solar panels do you use? What are the watts of each? I have a pro coming from Pittsburg, PA coming to fix me up, or so I hear…. I know I have more stuff to buy bef he shows up, ugz
Hey Eddie, thanks for the great info and photos of your set up. I’m looking into solar and two Trojans for my little trailer. I understand that the RE series are great for solar but what about generator charging? Also, a more general question from this newb. With a solar setup, when camping with shore power can that be used to recharge your batteries as well or does a separate charge controller need to be used?
Will have lots of questions coming as I’m now that I’m back from Burning Man I’ve dedicated the next 2 months to get my trailer ready to go.
Thanks again
Working towards the next photographic adventure starting early 2016!
www.wayneontheroad.comHi Wayne, love how you are fixing up your little tiny house! More pictures please!
Yes the Trojan T-105RE’s are, and charge the same as regular T-105 except much better at long term usage. The RE’s are made for many more charging and discharging cycles. Thay have a lower specific gravity improving charge performance and extends life. The RE’s have “Alpha Plus” paste formulation promoting longer life and optimum performance. Also RE’s have “Maxguard XL” Advanced Design Separator is 30% thicker and stronger, resists stratification, extends life and lowers overall maintenance costs. It’s one of those “Pay for now or later” things. These T-105RE’s are made to last longer and work harder then the already tough T-105.
I would recommend getting a good converter/charger like the PD9260-60 amp RV Converter/Charger with charge Wizard from Progressive Dynamics. Install it as close to the battery bank as posable (But not inside with the batteries!) along with the solar controler. Here is a link to the — Porgessive Dynamics PD900-RV Charger/Converter
As for charging with a generator, and shore power, the PD900 with charge Wizard will act like the solar controller and charge the batteries as needed. It has (4) settings bulk-14.4 volts, PWM absorption-13.6 volts, Storage mode-13.6 volts, and a Equalization mode- 14.4 Volts. The T-105RE’s are better charged at a absorption charge voltage of 14.8 volts but these charger/converters are better than the junky WFCO converters installed in new RV’s.
I would recommend (Stress!) using the proper wire size for all your connections. Don’t try to save your money on wire, I just replaced my first run from the roof to the combiner box at the solar controller from # 10-awg to #6-awg. It was a pain to take everything apart on my first panel set up and pull new wire, but after the fix we got a 25% increase in amps because of a lower 2% power loss. I would recommend using 2/0 on your series wire between your 6 volts to keep a low impedance, so the two are one 12 volt battery no matter what the bank use is.
When you are on shore power your solar will still charge your bank, and at night or when cloudy out your charger will do the job. The converter/charger is set at a lower 14.4 volts so the solar charge controller will be the main charger at 14.8 volts. Make sure you get a good solar charge controller, I have a $100.00 junk PWM controler that only works to 14.2 volts. I would recommend the Morning Star, TriStar 45-amp controller. Here is a link-TriStar 45 amp Solar Charge Controler It was the best thing we put in our solar system to date. (If you looking for a good used one I’m going to replace it with the 60-amp PWM soon!) You can go down the road with all the RV market with MPPT systems but as small as yours is a PWM would work wonderful.
If you need help just PM us, I would love to help out. Also if you give up I have been looking at installing systems for “Boondocker” RVers as we travel. Take Care and good luck!
Happy Trails!!!
Hi Wayne, I forgot about the new Bogart Engineering SC-2030 12/24 volt 30 amp Solar Charge Controller. I think with your smaller trailer you wont need anymore than a 30 amp controller. This unit is made on this side of the big pond, (USA) and I only heard good things about this unit and the TM-2030RV battery Monitor. Here is a link for the SC-2030– SC-2030 Solar Controler
This would work good in your application and with the TM-2030RV battery monitor for keeping a idea of your battery %. this unit is capable of working in tandem with the new Bogart Engineering SC-2030 PWM solar charge controller. When the two units are used together, it increases the performance of the charge controller and can adjust the output to a level that is better suited to your batteries current state of charge. Here is a link to the TM-2030RV– TM-2030RV Battery Monitor Have Fun!
Happy Trails!!!
Thanks for all the insight Eddie. It all really helps. My trailer is small and I don’t need a lot of juice for the normal things but like Anne I’m also a photographer. One that is on a budget therefore the trailer purchase came with a condition of I had to figure out a way to use my iMac desktop computer for my photo editing as there was no longer the budget for a Macbook. lol.
Aside from that, a couple of external hard drives, charging camera batteries and running a few small (soon to be LED) lights there really won’t be much more drawing from the batteries. I’m looking at the same Renogy kit that Ray installed but not sure if 200 watts in panels is enough, especially during shorter winter days. So considering one more 100 watt panel and I’m sure I can install the three across the back portion of the roof.
Will definitely be looking for those T105-RE’s now and will check out the other links you sent to see what will best optimize whatever setup I land with.
I’m sure I’ll have more questions. Thank so much for the help.
Wayne
Working towards the next photographic adventure starting early 2016!
www.wayneontheroad.com
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