Batteries in a Roadtrek

[hertinkerbell]

Has anyone installed extra house batteries in a Roadtrek 190 Versatile approx year 1995-97?

Will regular 6v batteries fit in the basement space? (Not AGM)

How many batteries can you fit in there? Or somewhere else?

Where is a good place to install an inverter?

Thanks,
Mar

[Mike]

Hi Mar,
Some of your questions are now year/model specific - did you buy a 95-97 RT 190 Versatile?
Just wondering. The OEM aux battery is located in the dinette seat box on the driver's side in the '95-96.
On the '97 it's nearer the rear of the vans, Dodge access is from inside the rear doors, under the carpet,
on the Chev from the outside and underneath the van. I'd guess that if 2 6V batteries fit in the same
physical footprint as a single 12V deep cycle battery, you're in business.
You could try asking Roadtrek Service about how many might fit. See more at my p.s. below.
No idea where you'd put an inverter but I'd put it somewhere near where you'd be most likely to use
it. In my case I removed the OEM TV from the entertainment cabinet, and use it now as extra storage
and as "charge central" for my electrical gadgets, like the laptop, camera batteries, cell phones, etc.
can be connected to a 150W inverter and I run my TV off of a small separate dedicated 100W inverter.

Mike.

p.s. If you did buy a RT, I'd suggest you try sending your questions regarding adding/replacing
electrical stuff to service@roadtrek.com - there's a gentleman there named Peter who is probably
the most knowledgable person regarding replacing or modifying OEM stuff. He might be able to
answer your questions regarding batteries and inverter placement as he seems to have blue
print level familiarity with the size of the areas you mentioned, and what is safe and not so
safe to do.
You'll need to include the VIN of your van so he can give you a model specific answer.
He's quite good, and many of us have asked him our techy questions.

Or, many answers can be found in the various owner's manuals from Roadtrek. They're free,
in PDF format, and viewable/downloadable - here's a link to the RT manuals page....
http://www.roadtrek.com/manuals.aspx

[hertinkerbell]

Mike,

Great info, thanks. I have not bought the RT yet but I am looking at both, one 95 and one 97. They're both 190 Versatile.

Thanks,
Mar

[Mike]

No worries. I've been through the Q & A part of picking out a van myself. I had to do it
last year when we bought ours. I used some info I managed to locate on here, and added
anything I could find on the internet via general searches, and whatever else I could glean from
prices and features listed on the RV Trader website. We saw one in the RVT, made a phone
call, went and had a look, and bought it the same day . "Leap of faith" method of buying.
It's had one or two small problems, and presented a puzzle or two, but it's been fun and
educational.

[hertinkerbell]

Well hopefully I will have a similar story to tell soon

[Berniewolff]

I have recently purchased a used '95' Versatile RT.
Under the drivers side dinette seat is a metal lined (ready for generator) box. I was able to
put in 2 6volt Trojan AGM batteries and a Inverter. If you put in wet batteries
make sure you get a large enough vent hole in the compartment and
seal the top to keep the fumes to a minimum.

Do not buy a Prosine Inverter made by Xantrex or any Xantrex product as they are made
in China and they will not repair their inverters but offer you a
small discount on a new one if you have problem.. Their customer service is terrible.

You will have to do some modifications to the open compartment and
get special cables made as needed.

Bernie