Advice on changing house batteries?

[Roscott]

The house batteries I ordered came in early, but I can't pick them up until Monday. In the meantime I want to remove the existing batteries and clean up the battery tray and compartment. I've not had to change these batteries before, so forgive the novice question. Do I need to be unplugged from shore power and have the inverter and battery disconnect off? Or is there some combination that would allow me to have power if I needed it? A complete disconnect seems logical, but RV electrical system logic continues to elude me. I also assume I can have the batteries removed for several days without any ill effects (since I won't be using the rig)? I've perused my manuals but have come up with nothing...perhaps I'm missing the one with the info I need.

Roger

[pcurt23]

My coach charges the house batteries while plugged in and that makes it a live circuit. I would turn off all power. I'm sure that you are going to take pictures and make a diagram.

[Skip426]

Safest , would be a complete shut down .
Disconnect from shore power and turn the battery disconnect off.
If you have multiple 6 volt batteries , take a picture of the wiring hook up and label all cables before you start.


Pcurt , types faster than I do. lol

[Theluckys]

1. Make sure you're not hooked to any shore power

2. Take photos (yes plural) of how it is connected BEFORE removing cables

I recently replaced the house batteries and took a picture of the batteries and cables but was in too much of a hurry to really "look" at the photo. Well I disconnected the batteries and loaded them into the suv went to Advanced Auto picked up the new ones and when I went to connect the new ones noticed that there was too much of a shadow and I had partially cut off 1/2 of the tray!

Well I sat down and tried to use the wire diagraming to figure it out, what I didn't realize was the Mrs had plugged in the shore power while I was at the store.

Long story short I connected something wrong, got sparks flying and it cost me a new circuit board, installed by the local dealer. My "simple" battery change cost 1600.00!to have the new board installed - no one to blame but myself:

PS don't do that, check and double check

[GaryKD]

Hi Roscott,
In addition to what has been posted, consider wire tying together the wires that come from each terminal. Wrap the positive cables with electrical tape.


Consider a complete shutdown of power. No shore, coach switch off, etc.

[PDR John]

Disconnect the ground first, hook up the ground last.


Always!!!!!!

[Elf111]

When I did mine I took pictures then I used a can of paint on all positive wires and took more pictures. The paint was a big help it made the wires show up in the pictures better and who cares if you get paint on the old batteries.

[Roscott]

Thanks all. Pictures...check. Labels...check. Tie wraps (great idea)...check.
...and I have plenty of left over paint (don't we all). Will also unhook neg first and then hook it up last. After a good compartment/tray cleaning, I plan to use Rustoleum where needed (if not everywhere).

[denlock]

I'm going to do my battery tray this weekend. I bought a quart of the spray on bed liner stuff to use instead of paint. I figure that might hold up better.

[Roscott]

Did not think of using the bed liner spray. I like the idea.

[denlock]

I should have said I'm going to put it on with a brush. I was afraid of overspray if I used the spray can.

["007"]

Make sure you know the position of batteries on the tray as to where the positive and negative terminals are placed, in position on the tray before removal.

[Dutch Star Don]

If you don't already have it, now would be a good time to install the Flow Rite ProFill automatic battery watering system. Those who have them will tell you it's one of the best things they've done to their coach. No more fighting around cables to fill with battery water. Dip the end of the system into a jug of distilled water, squeeze the bulb and the batteries are all filled evenly and in under two minutes.

FLOW-RITE RV-2000 - Flow-Rite Pro-Fill Battery Watering System, 2 Battery RV-2000 - RV Plus

[noserider]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

If you don't already have it, now would be a good time to install the Flow Rite ProFill automatic battery watering system. Those who have them will tell you it's one of the best things they've done to their coach. No more fighting around cables to fill with battery water. Dip the end of the system into a jug of distilled water, squeeze the bulb and the batteries are all filled evenly and in under two minutes.

FLOW-RITE RV-2000 - Flow-Rite Pro-Fill Battery Watering System, 2 Battery RV-2000 - RV Plus

Looks like a great product. If you have this installed how often would you attempt to add water since you don't know the water level?