Author Topic: New Batteries (and more)  (Read 4991 times)

Brad Burgess

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New Batteries (and more)
« on: May 26, 2011, 03:38:42 AM »
Hello All

When we sold our 08 Country Coach last fall we downsized, both in size and financially, to an 03 Monterey.  We knew that the Beaver had been "rode hard and put away wet", but I must admit that I have since found several issues that I did not anticipate.  We bought the coach in Junction City, and did a good deal of remodeling while still there - I will post the redecorating items on the redecorating board.  Also, while there, we had six new XZA2 tires balanced and installed, as well as a Pressure Pro system.  On the way back to Scottsdale, I stopped at Henderson's in Grants Pass for an alignment, new Koni FSD's and a steering stabilizer.

The coach had wet cell batteries for both the house and chassis.  The batteries were only three years old, but had not been maintained well.  I decided to replace both the house and chassis batteries with new Lifeline AGM's.  This post is not intended as a "Chevy vs Ford" discussion of battery types.  Everyone has their own preference, and this is as it should be.  I have been dealing with house banks (some quite large) on salt water boats and coaches since 1984 and, after using wet, gel and AGM types, I prefer AGM.  I would also add here that I purchased all six batteries online from Tom at Trans-Specialists, as his price was the lowest that I could find, even with shipping.  AZ has a sales tax - this may or may not work out in a state with no sales tax.

My detail guy always cleans the batteries, and that is why the old batteries in the attached picture look like they do.  You will see from the picture that the old batteries had been boiled quite badly - another issue that I hadn't anticipated.

Anyway, I have attached some photos showing the replacement sequence.  I actually ordered some new cables from Lifeline also, and these show in the photos.

Another issue that I discovered - after installing the new batteries, I decided to prove the operation of the BIRD and the Big Boy Isolator.  I first checked the voltages at the battery terminals, after the batteries had been in for four weeks and the coach had not been moved - 13.1 to 13.2 at the house and (yikes!) 11.9 at the chassis batteries.  How could this be, since the coach was plugged in and the (new) Magnum charger was on and programmed for Lifeline AGM's?  I got out the Beaver owner's manual and looked up the BIRD info - the Bird will only activate, if one of the banks is at least at 13.3 volts.  The float voltage on the Magnum for these batteries is 13.2.  OK, go to custom charger settings and set the float voltage to 13.3 and Bingo - actually not.  The Big Boy still was not closing.  Put the multimeter probe on the house battery terminal on the BIRD.  Even with the charger programed  for 13.3 float volts, the Bird was only seeing 13.2 volts so no go.  Obviously, there was 1/10th of a voltage drop in all of the wiring between the charger terminals and the BIRD.  Reprogram the charger to 13.4 volts (the high end of the approved Lifeline range) and CONTACT (pun intended).  The BIRD now sees 13.3 volts and the Big Boy has closed and the chassis batteries are being charged.  I chose the Lifeline starting AGM's, because of the way this system is designed - now, when both banks are connected, they are the same type of battery with the same charging profile requirements.  If you have the BIRD/Big Boy system and your chassis batteries are weak I would start by looking at the voltage, AT THE BIRD'S chassis battery terminal.

OK, now really, the photos -

Brad Burgess
03 Monterey #400860
« Last Edit: May 26, 2011, 05:13:03 AM by 14 »
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