Battery Longevity

[JDT]

What is the longest you have had your batteries last? Mine are almost 6 years old and still going strong. I did add a couple of ounces of mineral oil to each cell of the 6 volts a year ago or so. I also added a Trick-L-Start for the starting batteries 2 years ago. Finally, I keep it plugged in to 50 amp service when it is home. My coach has a Magnum Energy Inverter/Charger model ME2012. Not sure if it does everything needed but so far so good.

I'm thinking I may be pushing it which is why I'm asking. I'm sure there is a rule that batteries only fail when it is most inconvenient.

[safari1]

I live in Phoenix, so batteries do not last long here. I gave up on wet cell batteries, I only use Optima AGM batteries, so far the one in my car is 3 years old, longest yet. In my MH the brand new Crapa, I mean Napa starter battery only made it 6 months. I have since put in 1 Yellow Top Opitma for the starter battery and just bought 2 Blue Top Optimas for the coach. The brand new (6 mo old) Napa Group 27 Deep cycle was already leaking acid out the top last week on vacation, hence the new Optima's.

The Napa batteries were put in by dealer when we purchased used in Jan.

[RJay]

Jim,
It sounds like your on the right track. Sulfation is a big killer of battery life so periodic equalization is important. I also use mineral oil in my 6 volt workhorse batteries; I added 4 oz. to each cell which equates to about a 1/8” layer of oil on the top of the electrolyte. As long as you keep the electrolyte level up and the tops of the batteries clean they'll last a long time.

[BryanL]

How long your batteries will last depends upon how you use and maintain them. For wet cells, 4 to 7 years seems to be about where the degradation of capacity starts to become noticeable. Some have so much excess capacity they don't notice for much longer than that.

Equalization doesn't reverse sulfation. It's for when the charging is marginal and the cells don't all get to a proper full charge. An RV tends to spend a lot of time on-grid so a proper converter charger maintainer will get all the cells properly and fully charged to an equal state without any special overcharging needs.

Temperatures above 90F can really do a job on batteries. So can deep discharges (more than half the capacity of the battery used). So can leaving a battery sit without proper charging.

Mineral oil and other such tricks won't make much of any difference in modern batteries. If I recall correctly, there are no manufacturers who recommend such practices for their modern RV type batteries.

Put your efforts into your equipment for charging and maintaining your batteries and in good practice in usage.

[wa8yxm]

Longest I have had 'em last is.. Well, truthfully I don't know, I think 8 years but I'm not sure when I got those. (They are still lasting)

I have heard of several batteries lasting 10 years and more, 8-10 is not uncommon for good ones.

Of course that requires you have a good converter and not abuse them too much.

With some converters you are doing good if they last the season.

[BryanL]

re: "I have heard of several batteries lasting 10 years and more, 8-10 is not uncommon for good ones." -- ah! the miracle of statistics. Yes, it is a distribution and there are outliers in the fringes. The problem is knowing the shape of the distribution and identifying the variables involved.

There are also other problems that make the statistical measure rather fuzzy. One is that no measure that I have seen defines what a "good one" might be in objective terms. Another is an objective measure that is followed by all regarding when a battery is to be replaced - 80% or more of batteries suffer a gradual degradation with age. (i.e. many batteries can be taken to ten years or more if you don't mind capacity loss)

For something other than hearsay, I have only seen two measures. One is in the NAWS FAQ and the other is battery warranties. The FAQ is remarkable for its qualifiers and for the ranges cited. The warranties are remarkable because they are more closely tied to use than to any battery property.

[SpursMVP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDT What is the longest you have had your batteries last? Mine are almost 6 years old and still going strong. I did add a couple of ounces of mineral oil to each cell of the 6 volts a year ago or so.

Would those with more experience comment on adding mineral oil to the batteries? Is this only for the house batteries and how much should be added?

What does this accomplish?

Sound instriguing and I'm all about learnin'

[BryanL]

re: "Would those with more experience comment on adding mineral oil to the batteries?" -- well you got one, but I guess it must not have fit the desired result or something.

Such things were in vogue fifty years ago. Modern batteries with proper charging equipment gain no use from additives like mineral oil and may even suffer harm.

Again, find a battery manufacturer who suggests such things if you really need to rationalize such useless myths.

[mahon1993]

In my 2000 Monaco Dilomat I still have the orginal batteries. They are Interstate Work-a-holics. Four 6volt house batteries. I keep it plugged in year round. I check them with a hydrometer every couple of weeks and always use distilled water. No oil. I clean the terminals as needed and spray them with battery terminal coating.
Been lucky I guess.
Greg

[Barrier2]

Hi All, I purchased my 2001 Monaco Dynasty 36',1 year ago with 45k miles. When
purchased the 4 House Batteries Interstate 6 volt #2200 6volt and
Chassis a huge Workaholic Interstate 12v. Batteries were the original
verified by the date code. Everything ran fine including all the electrical
items. We stopped at a Walmart the next morning to pick up some essentials.
I checked the Batteries they were low, really low on water it took 7 Gallons of
distilled to top them up. Since then we have put on about 4500 miles back home
to NY and then out to Iowa and back. The power has been fine, starting,
running, inverter use etc. While the MH was stored, outside with no power the
Solar Panel kept them charged. I turn off the two switches in the rear pass
side bay as well as the salesman switch and disconect the Inverter. Everything
is original in the electrical system.
The coach started right up after the winter storage.
This is the exception I know, I have never had this kind of Battery life and
service in any of my 4 previous Motor Homes. I used to remove the batteries
every winter and charge them.
I better go knock on some wood .
Robert

[monarchman53]

I have a battery question. This is the first year for MH ownership for us. We will be storing our unit at home. We live in SE MN (read cold!) and I'm wondering if I am better off leaving the rig plugged in to shore power as is or am I better off pulling the batteries and storing them in the basement on a trickle charger?
Rod

[SpursMVP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahon1993 In my 2000 Monaco Dilomat I still have the orginal batteries. They are Interstate Work-a-holics. Four 6volt house batteries. I keep it plugged in year round. I check them with a hydrometer every couple of weeks and always use distilled water. No oil. I clean the terminals as needed and spray them with battery terminal coating. Been lucky I guess. Greg

Sounds good....thought I was missing something with not using mineral oil.

[bachler]

As many stories As readers;;; The answer is. keep them charged. 14.4 volts. With a good charger. the stock inverter will NOT charge the batteries sufishently, You will die before the battery is charged, now an Inverter 1500/2000 watt genurly have a good charger built in. not the converter, Our batteries are over 9 years old. still like new . we keep them charged. Oil is for the engine;; I knew an old man that put water in the crankcase;; go figure;; I don't know if he put oil in the battery.

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by monarchman53 I have a battery question. This is the first year for MH ownership for us. We will be storing our unit at home. We live in SE MN (read cold!) and I'm wondering if I am better off leaving the rig plugged in to shore power as is or am I better off pulling the batteries and storing them in the basement on a trickle charger? Rod

Considering where you live I would suggest you either leave the motorhome plugged in to shore power or remove the batteries and store them inside. It gets cold enough in MN to freeze the batteries and then you will be buying all new ones in the spring.

Bob