Chassis Batteries

[jeepsrule]

I find many posts on House batteries, but very little on the engine starting batteries. I have two (brand) Workaholic CCA 750 batteries. The manual says replacements should have the same CCA rating. Nice, but I'm not the first owner so are two CCA 750's large enough for this coach with a 400hp Cummins??

Any recommendations on brands and prices??

[mythplaced]

My 400 ISL has 2 Workaholic, type 31 950 CCA's and I would like to downgrade, how did those 750's work out?

[Jim Stewart]

I think the spec for the ISL 400 in a MH is 1500 CCA at 0 degrees. Some manufacturers may spec more, but in most applications the 2-750s are enough.

Hello, Myth!

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythplaced My 400 ISL has 2 Workaholic, type 31 950 CCA's and I would like to downgrade, how did those 750's work out?

I did find a battery spec chart in the back of the owners manual and it says two CCA 750 batteries. Type 31. The battery had enough to start the coach when they are completely charged but these are worn out and not holding a charge well. When it was in storage for a couple months I would have to use the battery boost to start the coach. So I'm preparing to replace all six batteries all the way around.

[Diplomat Don]

jeepsrule......Have you checked the water in those batteries. Even though they say sealed, you can remove the caps and fill them. Mine are still going strong after almost 5 years. I know you're not the original owner and they may have been abused before you purchased the coach, but they may be salvageable.

I added these two products BatteryDe-Mister.com - Up to 3 times Longer Battery Life! Guaranteed. to my batteries a couple of years ago. Their was an improvement in how long they held their charge and how quickly they recovered. The oil product, which is most likely mineral oil reduced the battery off gasing to the point that my battery box is bone dry.

If you look closely at the labels on your Maintenance Free Workaholic batteries, you'll see the outline of the battery caps. Take a razor blade and cut through the label. Pry the caps up with a screwdriver and check the water level. They may be just low on water/acid.

[Jim Stewart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsrule I did find a battery spec chart in the back of the owners manual and it says two CCA 750 batteries. Type 31. The battery had enough to start the coach when they are completely charged but these are worn out and not holding a charge well. When it was in storage for a couple months I would have to use the battery boost to start the coach. So I'm preparing to replace all six batteries all the way around.

When in storage, do you turn the chassis battery switch to off. Even if you do, on many MHs there still may be some phantom drain. Two months in storage without a charge, especially in cold weather will drain many MH batteries.

[Pusherpilot]

Ours were the Maintenance Free Workaholic batteries, 750 CCAs installed in April 04. After three years they started exhibiting some of the same antics car batteries do after 3 yrs, slow cranking, not holding a charge etc. I opened the cells and filled them with distilled water, all cells were way down! They lasted another 2 yrs, I had to replace them last Jan.
Ron

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don jeepsrule......Have you checked the water in those batteries. Even though they say sealed, you can remove the caps and fill them. Mine are still going strong after almost 5 years. I know you're not the original owner and they may have been abused before you purchased the coach, but they may be salvageable. I added these two products BatteryDe-Mister.com - Up to 3 times Longer Battery Life! Guaranteed. to my batteries a couple of years ago. Their was an improvement in how long they held their charge and how quickly they recovered. The oil product, which is most likely mineral oil reduced the battery off gasing to the point that my battery box is bone dry. If you look closely at the labels on your Maintenance Free Workaholic batteries, you'll see the outline of the battery caps. Take a razor blade and cut through the label. Pry the caps up with a screwdriver and check the water level. They may be just low on water/acid.

Ah a project for tomorrow. I'll find those hidden caps. Would love to save the expense and my solar is charging all the batteries now so maybe we can bring them back. Thanks Don.

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart When in storage, do you turn the chassis battery switch to off. Even if you do, on many MHs there still may be some phantom drain. Two months in storage without a charge, especially in cold weather will drain many MH batteries.

I did have the switch off and I ran the generator three different times to try and keep the batteries up as much as possible.

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsrule I did have the switch off and I ran the generator three different times to try and keep the batteries up as much as possible.

I think I'll fill these, charge them up and then take'm in and have them tested before I replace them.

[itdave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsrule I did have the switch off and I ran the generator three different times to try and keep the batteries up as much as possible.

Unless you have added some device to have the chassis batteries charge from the inverter/charger (which charges the House batteries) running the generator will not do anything to keep the Chassis Batteries charged. On the Diplomats the Chassis batteries only charge from the alternator.

[jeepsrule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itdave Unless you have added some device to have the chassis batteries charge from the inverter/charger (which charges the House batteries) running the generator will not do anything to keep the Chassis Batteries charged. On the Diplomats the Chassis batteries only charge from the alternator.

I did add the Dual Charger upgrade from Mega Tech so that both sets of batteries charge.

[ShapeShifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsrule Ah a project for tomorrow. I'll find those hidden caps.

If you feel around on the lower right and left corners of the battery label, you will find a long narrow thin spot. Cutting the label along those thin spots with a utility knife will free two rectangular caps, each about an inch by 4 inches. Each cap covers three cells. (This is all from memory, I might have some minor details wrong.)

It's not difficult to find them and free them, but it's not immediately obvious, either. My owner manual has a picture of the chassis batteries, and shows roughly where to cut them to free the caps. Check your manual, it might have the same information.

Good luck!

[MonacoMama]