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Old 03-27-2017, 02:09 PM   #1
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Chassis Batteries on Dutch Star

I quite often need to replenish the water in the coach batteries. How often do the chassis batteries need to be checked? Can the water be added by removing the holdown bracket but not removing the electrical cables between them?
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Old 03-27-2017, 02:15 PM   #2
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I quite often need to replenish the water in the coach batteries. How often do the chassis batteries need to be checked? Can the water be added by removing the holdown bracket but not removing the electrical cables between them?
The chassis batteries are Maintenance Free. Do Not attempt to remove the caps. The house batteries are flooded cell batteries and do require regular attention.
How often is quite often? If your converter is working properly you should only have to top up with distilled water every 6-8 weeks or longer. If you are seeing less than 6 weeks, you should have the converter checked as it may be set too high causing the batteries to boil off sooner than necessary.
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Old 03-29-2017, 06:43 AM   #3
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Update on our 2017 DSDP 4018 both chassis and house batteries are maintenance free. I doubled checked with service dept where I bought 3 mos ago and gave them brand and model # they double checked and said "don't worry about your batteries"
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Old 03-29-2017, 06:55 AM   #4
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Update on our 2017 DSDP 4018 both chassis and house batteries are maintenance free. I doubled checked with service dept where I bought 3 mos ago and gave them brand and model # they double checked and said "don't worry about your batteries"
Your chassis batteries probably are maintenance free Interstate flooded cell and your coach batteries are only maintenance free if they are AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat). If your coach batteries are flooded wet cells, yes they need the water checked. I did mine every 30 days.
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Old 03-30-2017, 07:04 AM   #5
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To more fully explore the question of a "maintenance free" batteries I called Newmar Customer Support to get their position. Initially I was told that they would need fluid periodically, however when I told them that IRV2 respondents said that they were truly maintenance free, the rep. called Freightliner for clarification. The essence, of his response, was that they are similar to the standard auto battery but are a heavier duty style. The plate grids components are thicker and use more durable components. The grids often use calcium, cadmium or strontium which reduce the gassing (which causes moisture loss). This heavier-duty system ensures that fluid loss is minimal and results in a much longer functional life. The batteries, which are called lead-calcium, are Allision batteries made by a subsidiary to Freightliner Corp.
I want to thank all of the respondents which resulted in a more thorough understanding of the term a "maintenance free" battery.
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