i'm a pretty smart girl but.....

[windymichelle]

when it comes to trying to figure out the power for my chinook all of a sudden i turn into a complete moron. deep cycle batteries, wattage, blah blah blah. it's all chinese to me. even when i read the articles bob wrote, that i'm sure are as simple and straightforward as it gets, i just get a headache. i have a thing in my chinook that is a battery compartment(there may even be a battery in there but it doesn't work)to run the fridge and stuff when i'm not using propane, that has a switch that says battery on one side and converter on the other. so after all of that, my question is can i just hook a deep cycle battery up to it? not that i would even know how to do that lol but at least i would feel like im on the right track. help!

 

[user 423]

Got a pic of the "thing"?

 

[windymichelle]

i'll take some in the morning when there's more light <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[windymichelle]

pg 21 goes over the power system<br>http://toyotachinook.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/chinook-manual-pdf.pdf

 

[offroad]

Think basics. BATTERY means you are running off battery power completely. No external power at all. CONVERTER means you are running off street power from an external extension cord, likely charging the battery back up.

You would need someone else to put a battery in there. Not you. Not yet. Batteries explode if installed backwards. Maybe after you have seen it done a few times, and you understand polarity, and connection heating-corroding, and current-power ratings then you can install your own battery.

 

[windymichelle]

Yeah I don't want to attempt something I don't understand. Thank you

 

[windymichelle]

i realize this was a pretty ridiculous question so thanks for those of you who took the time to answer it regardless <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[mockturtle]

I recommend an no-maintenance AGM battery if you can afford it.&nbsp; Well worth it, not having to haul the battery/batteries out to check the cells and fill them every month or so.&nbsp; I have two AGMs and they charge quickly and give me plenty of power for a few days of dry camping.

 

[windymichelle]

like this one?<br><br>http://www.amazon.com/Exide-MC-31-M...mp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=agm+deep+cycle+battery<br><br>will this hook up to the battery "thing" in my camper? i am hoping that i'll still be able to use that box because it has an outlet on the outside and a switch and everything so just seems easier and more convenient.

 

[mockturtle]

You want a deep cycle AGM battery, not a marine battery.&nbsp; Your best bet is to go to a battery store that sells either Optima or Lifeline batteries and let them explain the differences and tell you which would be best for your needs.&nbsp; And have them install it.&nbsp;

 

[Lostinspace]

If you read the comments/review section, at least one battery was sold that was over a year old.&nbsp; And you can't return it to Amazon you have to deal with Exide.&nbsp; And Exide just considers it an older battery, so no help there.&nbsp; I would steer clear of Amazon for this.&nbsp; Go to Walmart and get their deep cycle batteries.&nbsp; At least you can return it. And you can check the manufacture date at the store.&nbsp; Refuse if more than a couple of months old.&nbsp; Someone on here can tell you which battery to get.<br><br>Just my two cents.

 

[windymichelle]

will they install it at walmart? i know some walmart's have mechanics and such. there's not really any battery stores within an hour and a half of where i live. i could just go back to the mechanic i suppose but my wallet squeals at the thought of it lol.

 

[Lostinspace]

Far as I know.&nbsp; I've never had walmart install a battery, but I imagine they do.&nbsp; They do tire installation, oil changes etc.

 

[ccbreder]

I wasn't able to enlarge the photos to get the details. On page 21 is a unit that converts 12 volts dc to 110 volts ac. it may also be the battery charger, but not necessarily. <br>Are the switches you refer circuit breakers or are they two position switches? Are both of your batteries under the hood near the engine?

 

[ccbreder]

Tom Robbins. I haven't heard that name for a long time. I liked the library were he worked.

 

[highdesertranger]

what part of the country are you in maybe someone here could give you a hand.&nbsp; it's really not that hard once someone could explain it to you&nbsp;with hands on experience.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[windymichelle]

<div> </div><div>photo (53) by windy.michelle, on Flickr<br><br><div> </div><div>photo (54) by windy.michelle, on Flickr</div></div><br><br><br><br><br><br>tom robbins is by far the best author in the history of ever <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">

 

[windymichelle]

i'm in northern wyoming

 

[windymichelle]

so i guess the battery is under the hood right? i thought it was behind that power center converter thingamajig.&nbsp;

 

[windymichelle]

you can't really see it but the switch is on the front of that converter box and it looks like a sideways light switch kinda. battery on one side converter on the other. that part makes sense to me now that someone explained it. use the converter when you're plugged in and the battery when you're not. right? and does the engine charge the battery or do i need to do that some other way?<br>i guess the people at walmart can answer all those questions.