12-VOLT DUAL BATTERY SETUP | Pete's RV Quick Tips (CC)

Resident RV Expert Randy Murray displays how to properly connect two 12 volt batteries in parallel for added dry camping power.

By connecting the campers positive wire to the positive terminal on one battery and connecting the campers ground wire to the negative terminal on the second battery, Randy illustrates the correct way to achieve equal battery drain and how to ensure top notch battery life. Rather than a single battery connection where you will be required to replace it with a fresh battery, a dual connection alleviates this procedure and provide more even use of battery life.

With the use of jumper wires (one for both positive and negative as Randy explains) that are equal or greater to the gauge of wire found on your camper, connect each line to the corresponding positive and negative battery to complete the connection and enjoy some extended dry camping.

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Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America. Follow The Yellow Shirt on social media to stay up to date on all things Pete's RV!

Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

[ruthkuzmanic]

Thank you for such a clear explanation. I really appreciate you leaving off the batty containers, as it made it so much clearer to see.

[glenntrujillo]

Thank you for your simple explanation of how to install two batteries.

[sandhiller]

Ive watched multiple videos, Randy you did it so simple and quick, Thank you so much

[Jack-Surreal_Panes]

Ahhh.... I got an old camper so new to this. Wondered why a red white wire and black jumper. Cool, thanks. Good info

[brentdreamer]

Nice basic set up thanks for the info. I have a battery left over from from my truck that I had to replace and I figured why not drop it onto the RV. We rarely dry camp and I don't plan on keeping the RV for more than a few years so I don't really care about the age of the batteries. Cheers

[GaugingGadgets]

Awesome video! Thanks for making it so simple!

[susansterling-williams]

Thanks so much for this simple explanation. I go camping with my horses where there is no power for days and now have extra power for my camper..

[talibahdivine]

Nice and simple. Straight to the point. Thanks for this video. What are your thoughts on lead batteries vs lithium batteries?

[fadedexile]

Thanks for the video it's good to know that I did it right 30 minutes before I thought to search for a video about how to do it 🤣

[Kikinahm]

Good simple info! I kind of already knew and just wanted verification. Though I will undoubtedly use 3 batteries.

[craycray]

This is so simple to some one who knows. I didn’t know this is the proper way to hook up the batteries to my trailer. Mine kept going bad after 6 months, under warranty, but a pain to take them out and replace them. I almost replace my trailer charger thinking that was the problem. Thank you for marking this video! I understand now how to properly hook my batteries!

[alularussell]

Thank you. Your vid has answered several questions I had that nobody else seemed to know.

[brutallindigo]

Great vid...Question ..Does it need to be the same type of battery?

[rvscootin]

Great Video! The only issue is that from a circuit standpoint. It doesn't matter where you hook up the Negative. Ground is ground, and both the (-) terminals are shorted together. So there is no difference in the draw. That being said... One advantage of this kind of hook up is that the cables reach their respective terminal post better. But there is no difference if you put the Negative on one battery or the other. The current draw will be the same. If anything the minute resistance in the jumper cable would cause a difference in the draw/charge of the main battery, but this is so small that it is negligible. Still I like this setup!

[ME-lehw]

Question about using a larger gauge than what is originally used on the trailer. I disagree with that statement, mainly because the larger the gauge number is equal to a smaller wire. For example, 10 gauge wire is bigger in diameter than a 14 gauge wire. I do agree with hooking up with positive to positive and negative to negative. But I would suggest to hooking up the positives and the trailer positive first then the ground and negatives together last.

[ravendy]

is that the same process when you have solar in your RV? (I have Go solar 160 Watts with 300 watts inverter.)

[victorolguin]

hey im going to replace my batteries on my 5th wheel... im wondering to remove and install the new ones do I have to disconnect the main power from the pole (50amp

[KEDOA]

I just bought a 100 W suitcase style and I’m about to go camping in my travel trailer, it has two batteries out on the tongue when I hook up the solar panel do I go to just one battery or do I clip one red to one battery and the black one to the other battery?

[harleyjune]

very informative thanks - do you have a link to the battery charging products used to charge while driving? alternator to plug - is there an auto shut off when RV battery bank is fully charged? thanks in advance

[RealFloridaHorseman]

What's up with mixing AC and DC wire color codes? The camper is wired black(hot)/white(neutral) like an AC circuit while your DC battery cables are correctly red(pos) & black (gnd). It would be extremely possible to mistakenly reverse polarity to the black (hot) camper circuit with the black (gnd) battery cable. Shouldn't that entire DC circuit be nothing but red/black, camper included?