Community Forums

tazsport · 11-25-2007, 05:20 PM

We have a 2006 31' Class A Itasca Sunrise w/ Ford Chassis.

On a few occasions, after attempting to start the MH after two to three weeks of sitting, the battery doesn't have enough juice to start the engine. Normally, I would just use the "Battery Boost" button on the dash to help start the MH. This time the "Battery Boost" doesn't help.

We have 2-12v coach batteries which I believe are charged. The chassis battery is a Motorcraft "Maintenance Required" battery. It's the original battery.

I'm not familiar with a "Maintenance Required" battery. I checked the water level and it's covering the plates inside.

I put the chassis battery on a charger set at 6 amps. After connecting the charger, the charger needle went to 4 amps on the meter for a few minutes, then dropped to between 0-1 amps

Is my chassis battery bad ?

tazsport · 11-25-2007, 05:20 PM

We have a 2006 31' Class A Itasca Sunrise w/ Ford Chassis.

On a few occasions, after attempting to start the MH after two to three weeks of sitting, the battery doesn't have enough juice to start the engine. Normally, I would just use the "Battery Boost" button on the dash to help start the MH. This time the "Battery Boost" doesn't help.

We have 2-12v coach batteries which I believe are charged. The chassis battery is a Motorcraft "Maintenance Required" battery. It's the original battery.

I'm not familiar with a "Maintenance Required" battery. I checked the water level and it's covering the plates inside.

I put the chassis battery on a charger set at 6 amps. After connecting the charger, the charger needle went to 4 amps on the meter for a few minutes, then dropped to between 0-1 amps

Is my chassis battery bad ?

jimandsue60 · 11-26-2007, 05:02 AM

After charging the battery you need to check the specific gravity of the battery water with a good hydrometer.

You could also take the batteries out and have them load checked.

Jim

tazsport · 11-26-2007, 06:46 AM

Thanks jim,

I probably pull the battery and have it load checked, since I don't have any experience or knowledge of using a hydrometer.

schaller56 · 11-26-2007, 10:41 AM

The hydrometer is pretty simple, it has 4 balls in it and if they float the cell is charged,Test each cell if they don't float it's not holding a charge. I needed one the other day for our MH and picked one up at Wal-Mart for $.88

tazsport · 11-26-2007, 12:01 PM

Wow, that is simple. I'll try that first. Beats having to pull and haul the battery around.

I really appreciate the info on the hydrometer. Sounds like a must have tool for all MH'ers. It's amazing how much time and effort is saved by participating in this forum. Thanks again !