Coach batteries

[Ted Couch]

We have had our 1989 Marquis winterized since October and uncovered her this last weekend to start getting ready for spring/summer camping. We have left it plugged in to 110 all winter and discovered water way down in our batteries (was trying to check every month but a pain to check the back ones as tray does not come out). Long story short, I added water and when I came back to the coach to do some more cleanup found one of the batteries steaming like a teapot. Turned off power and it stopped so now not plugged in (no inside storage - just full Sunbrella cover). We are planning to replace the 4 coach batteries as it seems we need to so trying to decide if the AGM expense is worth it with no maintenance, or perhaps look for no-maintenance wet batteries. We wondered if the battery was overcharged but paperwork in manuals says that cannot happen. Thanks for sharing opinions/knowledge.

Ted

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Your batteries charging plates were exposed and sulfated up. Be glad they did not explode.

 Check your dip switch settings on your inverter (remote switch) to be sure you are not equalizing each time you plug into 110 volts. The Inverter/Charger Owners Manual has good instructions.

If you want replace with more expensive AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries that are maintenance free.  

[Bill Sprague]

Ted,

I do the same thing.  I have Trojan golf cart batteries.   I always leave it plugged in.  I try to check the batteries monthly and only need to add a little water.  

I suggest you may have something wrong with your charger, but I don't know what to tell you to look for.  It should go into, and stay in, a very gentle "float" setting during long term storage.  

Are your terminals clean?

[Gerald Farris]

Ted,
If the charger was charging the batteries at 13.2 to 13.6 volts, it is in float or maintenance charge and will not boil a good battery.

When it comes to deciding whether to buy AGM (absorbed glass mat) or flooded lead acid batteries, that is a decision that is very subjective. AGM batteries are more efficient when charging, and they are truly maintenance free, however they cost twice as much on average when compared to a good lead acid battery.

A good lead acid battery will use very little water under normal use. I use Trojan golf cart batteries in my coach and as a fulltimer only have to water them every other month, and they are never very low on water. However the terminal corrosion at the cables is a maintenance item that has to be watched on lead acid batteries, where AGM batteries have no corrosion.    

The decision comes down to how much maintenance you are willing to do. The AGM batteries are a superior product, but they will not give you twice the service of lead acid batteries. A good lead acid battery will last seven years with proper care, and a AGM will not last much longer. So is the reduced maintenance, and a little more capacity worth the extra money to you?

Gerald    

[JimCasazze]

I just learned on another RV site that Costco sells 6v Deep Cycle, that look, weigh and spec the same as Trojan 6V Deep Cycle and are presumed to possibly be one in the same.  They are $79.00 each.  

Not every Costco carries them, but the local one to me (in SW Florida) has about 75 of them in stock.  Since my batteries are over 6 yrs old, I was thinking of replacing them all with the Costco's.  Any Beavers have any experience with the Costco 6V's?  They are of course wet cell, not AGM or Gel.

Jim

[Karl Welhart]

I replaced my 6V with Battery Warehouse (large retail chain) GC-2a at $69.88 each plus tax with exchange.  This is my second replacement with this brand and the first lasted 5+ years.  Also, used them in my golf cart last year.

[LarryNCarolynShirk]

I replaced my 6 volt deep cycle batteries with Costco golf cart batteries.  They have been great for 3 years and still charging.  Go for it.

Most Costcos near golf courses have them.

Larry

[Ted Couch]

We appreciate the feedback! I have been searching our Portland/Vancouver area for a good deal on the AGM batteries as I would love to give up the maintenance. If our battery tray came out a bit further it would be less inconvenient for the water checks, but if I can find the AGMs at an affordable price I may go in that direction.

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Places like Camping World or other RV and maybe Battery Sources uses battery watering systems and
 http://www.windsun.com/ has some good information and sells water saving caps if you go lead acid. The recovery type  caps are not reccomended because equalization of the battery bank will ruin them.

[Bill Sprague]

I bought an "old fashioned" battery service pitcher at NAPA.  It makes servicing batteries quick and easy.  You don't have to look in the hole and it adds the perfect amount of distilled water every time.  Instead of watching, you listen.  If a cell needs water, you hear it gurgle.  When the gurgle stops, the cell is full.  The batteries in the back of the tray are easy to service too.  Amazon also sells them: http://www.amazon.com/Plews-75-030-Capacity-Plastic-Battery/dp/B000RFUF12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332942840&sr=8-1.  Tim Bently will probably add it to the new and upcoming Beaver Parts store.

The stock number for the Costco batteries is #245725.  You can call any Costco and they can tell you which stores have them in stock.

"Optima" seems to be the most common brand name for AGM batteries.  I've seen them at Costco too.  I think you can only get 12v versions, so you would have to rewire.  I think their premium deep cycle version has a blue top.  If price is a problem, I'm pretty sure the coach will run on two unless you do a lot of dry camping or have a residential refrigerator.  The biggest drain on the batteries is probably the AquaHot.  My old, small fifthwheel ran fine on one deep cycle 12v  battery and could keep the propane furnace going all night unless it was very cold.

[Richard And Babs Ames]

We bought our 6 volt AGM Batteries from Posey Battery in Tampa, FL and they were built by
http://www.dekabatteries.com/  Battery Company.

[Ken Sair]

Just to way in, I just replaced my 4 Trojan 105's after 6 years. We have been fulltiming all that time and to chime in with Gerald, they take very little water but require some regular cleaning/maintenance. I will say mine had begun to 'bulge' a little at the sides.

I had considered Costco/Sam's club 6V batteries for the cost. A close friend who owns a Mobility business in FL said to stick with the trojans as they were a superior battery over the long run (he operates over 100 rental units). Mine had lasted over 6 years.

His opinion on the AGM's was the same as Gerald's. Yes they were maintenance free but they would give you essentially the same dry camping power and years of service at about double the cost of Trojans, more on the Costco/Sam's brand. I decided to spend my money on golf  and spend a few extra minutes bi-monthly keeping thing clean.

Just my opinion


Ken Sair 2007 Beaver Contessa

[Tim Bentley Co-Admin]

There is more to battery maintenance this filling.  I found that when your batteries get older they begin to corrode the cables and the battery tray.  When I finally switched to AGM's there was 1/2 inch of corrosion under the batteries on the  tray frame, and one of my cables needed replacing. Don't know how many t-shirts I have ruined, not to mention the stains on the concrete under the coach.  I haven't looked at at my AGM's in over a year and 15,000 miles, well worth the extra money to me.  

For those of you that like the monthly battle of the batteries, this may help.

Amazon has several Battery filler bottles, I have added the one that looks best to the BAC RV Store.

You can visit the BAC story at http://beaveramb.org/Amazom%20Ad/AmazonAd1.htm

[Bill Sprague]

.....  I found that when your batteries get older they begin to corrode the cables and the battery tray.  

My batteries used to do that too.  Marty Schenck, who has owned motorhomes longer than me and currently owns two, suggested I hose them off.  Because electricity is involved, I was sure that was wrong.  But I tried it.

I have modified my outdoor shower so that I can hook a hose to it and do it with warm water. It seems best to do it on gravel, as you might stain concrete.  

I've hosed off my batteries regulary for three or four years now and have zero corrosion issues.  

[Joel Ashley]

Hydrogen sulfide gas from the vents readily attracts to bare metal and even the slightest nano-gap in painted parts nearby.  It can settle on the battery top and migrate down strapping to buckles and fasteners, and down the battery side to the tray.  I mix baking soda with water, apply it with squirt bottle or brush to the batteries and attendant parts, let it fizz, wire brush any heavy sulfur bloom, then gently rinse.  Just don't splash too much or get soda in the deep cycles' vents - soda and acid don't mix well inside, obviously.  A full air dry, then use battery connection paint wherever I can get it.  I even use Corrosion-X as a backup.  

But certain susceptible areas still rust, sulfur bloom under paint, and deteriorate.  Every few years I reckon a complete battery removal and tray renovation is necessary.  On my last coach, I finally did that and painted every steel surface with POR15 paint;  no more problems - that stuff is tough.  I've yet to redo the Monterey's tray, but will maintain as best I can until battery replacement time, then breakout the POR15 while the tray is empty.

Joel