Battery Cleaning

[mikelm48]

I want to clean and service my batteries this weekend. There are 6, two chasis and four house. I will be camping at the time. Do I need to cut-off the AC current and set the battery switch to "Store""? Is this correct? Thanks.

[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelm48 I want to clean and service my batteries ... Do I need to cut-off the AC current and set the battery switch to "Store""? Is this correct? Thanks.

No, why? Unless you could literally turn off the batteries from inside the battery somehow (you can NOT), everything is still going to be live and "hot" on top of the batteries with the rig in store or not. The AC side does not play into it except through the charger. Camped or not makes not difference either.

To wash: Do make sure your battery caps are on securely - don't need water getting in the cells. Just use a NON-metal brush (an old fashioned toilet brush is really nice) mix up some soap in a bucket. Add baking soda if you are lead acid. Brush to your heart's content and then rinse with the hose. Done.

BTW - Make sure that no water collects in your battery tray - particularity if the master fuse is bolted to it and begins to drown.

To Service (lead acid): Use an old rag that you'll discard afterwards and wipe off the battery tops from any puddling water. Remove the caps and fill as needed. Replace caps. Done. Toss rag. Tighten connectors as needed.

To service (AGM): Admire the nice clean batteries. Tighten connectors as needed. Done.

["007"]

When ever working around the batteries I'd pull the fuses for your slides so they will not activate the slide controls.
Strange things have happened with slides operating.

[JimM68]

I'd throw the disconnects... just because. In mine, they are right there, certainly won't hurt anything. If the tray is nasty, correded, or looks acid damaged, I'd pull all the batteries, clean the tray with soap and baking soda, dry well, and coat with por15.

[rgvtexan]

Please don't clean your batteries on my concrete RV renal lot, the run off looks like rust stains and is a booger to clean. My guest have done this two years running!

[mikelm48]

Thanks for all the input. All I am planning to do is clean the battery posts and fill the water levels in the batteries (not a problem). The batteries are only a year old and the tray is clean. I am mostly concerned about causing some electrical damage while cleaning. On a car, I guess i would disconnect both the + and - cables, but with the multiple batteries, I'm not sure what needs to be done during cleaning. Thanks.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

When I clean my posts I turn off both disconnects and do one terminal at a time so I don't screw up the wiring.

[ottffss]

For the terminals/connectors NAPA 1073 Battery Terminal Protector is ideal - it's the clear orange paint-like spray that goes on clean, actually dries, and does not collect dirt/grime like the grease-like products do.