Dometic 2597 - Manual (Page 7)

ENGLISH 6
Figure 3 – Batteries connected
Battery-Powered Systems Installation Guidelines
Conductors between each battery should be of the
same size as conductors between each bank. We
normally recommend at least 2/0 gauge.
Conductors should be as short as possible and should
be routed and clipped securely so as to prevent
chafing and rubbing.
Secondary chafe protection (wire loom) is
recommended on AT LEAST the positive conductors
between banks. It is also recommended that chafe
protection be placed in chafe-prone areas on the
negative wire.
If you make your own cables, either crimp the end on
the cable with the correct tool or solder it on. There
are cable ends available with the solder already in the
end. Either way, it is suggested that the connection
be covered with heavy-duty heat shrink. This helps
to prevent corrosives from being wicked up into
the copper strands, where they can cause hidden
corrosion.
Application of corrosion reducers on the battery
connections are not required when using AGM
batteries, however, it will not hurt.
Before and during connection of battery terminals,
apply a light coating of the supplied dielectric grease
(in the small clear packet) to every connection. This will
help keep corrosion and voltage drop to a minimum.
Replace the hex or wing nuts on the batteries with
the supplied locking hex nuts. These will help keep
the connections tight over the long haul. Tight
connections will ensure less voltage drop. INSTAllING ADDITIONAl BATTERy BOxES
Boxes should be mounted with cabling in mind. The
shorter the cables the less voltage drop and the less
chance for chafing and rubbing.
Mount Dometic battery boxes with four bolts, either
supplied with the box, or Grade 8 fasteners of at least
5/8" diameter. The final strength of the bolting solution
on the frame rests with the installer. Washers on both
sides with a locking nut (ny-lock, tri-lobe or stover)
are suggested. Lock washers are not recommended.
Torque 5/8" bolts to 140-155 ft-lbs. Torque 3/4" bolts
to 260-280 ft-lbs.
Drill the frame for at least four bolts in the vertical
section (web). Most OEMs do not allow drilling in
the horizontal sections. Most OEMs also do not
allow welding or torching frames. Please be sure that
whatever you do meets OEM requirements, so as not
to void any warranties.
WIRING ThE NEW BATTERIES
Before installing any batteries, load test each one.
One bad battery can ruin the entire bank. And yes,
sometimes brand new batteries can be bad.
Batteries can be wired in one of two methods: A dual-
bank system (house and starting), and a single-bank
system. The dual-bank system provides redundancy,
while the single-bank system provides for less total
weight, complexity and number of batteries. Use the
wiring diagrams at the back of the manual for different
wiring configurations (Fig. 3).