Community Forums

Letsgoagain · 02-09-2007, 08:49 AM

Hello,
Decided to check the batteries and found they were all getting pretty low on electrolyte solution. I leave the motorhome plugged up all winter so its getting a charge when needed and there is some loss from the charging process but I was suprised at how low the fluid was since I added distilled water back in Sept.
Might want to check yours if you have the wet cell batteries and save yourself a headache or purchase of a new battery.
It was cooold out there adding the distilled water but have the piece of mind that its done for a few more months.
Letsgoagain

Letsgoagain · 02-09-2007, 08:49 AM

Hello,
Decided to check the batteries and found they were all getting pretty low on electrolyte solution. I leave the motorhome plugged up all winter so its getting a charge when needed and there is some loss from the charging process but I was suprised at how low the fluid was since I added distilled water back in Sept.
Might want to check yours if you have the wet cell batteries and save yourself a headache or purchase of a new battery.
It was cooold out there adding the distilled water but have the piece of mind that its done for a few more months.
Letsgoagain

ndnparts · 02-09-2007, 09:28 AM

Excellent that you pointed this out (did mine last weekend)! This is a simple thing to take care of, but often neglected. Glad you brought it up. Stan

BIGRED1 · 02-12-2007, 05:29 AM

Good tip, Letsgoagain. I recently added about 3/4 gal of distilled water divided across my 4 6V house batteries. It had been about 6 mos. since they were installed. BTW, which camera system did you have installed and did you DIY or have someone install it for you?

TIA!

nutensteve · 02-12-2007, 06:35 AM

I filled mine up about 5 months ago and used about 1/2 gal between the 4 house batteries. I am plugged in at an RV resort here in Long Beach and have been for about 4 months, probably should check them again. I also wish the chassis batteries would charge while plugged in. I haven't run the coach for 2 months and chassis batteries are almost dead....remote locks wouldn't work. I'm thinking of installing a solar panel to charge the chassis battery.

BIGRED1 · 02-12-2007, 07:50 AM

I have a simple smart trickle charger that I connect to a 110V AC outlet in the passthrough bay that charges my chassis batteries. These can be had for about $30. The one I'm using is sold for use on ATVs and motorcycles, but it also works great on the 2 chassis batteries on my coach. I hook the negative cable to one battery and the positive cable to the other one and it charges them both. It charges at a rate of about 1.5 amps and when it reaches a full charge it goes into maintenance mode. That way it doesn't cook the batteries or boil the water out of them.

Pusherman · 02-12-2007, 12:33 PM

You might want to check out a product called Trik-L-Start, which charges the engine batteries along with the coach batteries when plugged in to AC. It's pretty inexpensive, and can be had at RV-Upgrades. Installation looks pretty simple.

Winnie now makes them standard equipment on 2006 and beyond DP's.

Letsgoagain · 02-12-2007, 03:50 PM

BIGRED1,
The camera system that my wife purchased for my 50th birthday and I installed was a Voyager AOM703S3. She got in from Rear Vision Cams at RVcam.com.
As I mentioned I installed it myself. Looking back and if I had to do it again I could probably do it in half the time. Amazing how that goes after you've done something once. Anyway it was quite a job.
RV cams was very helpful and sent everything I needed, including the adapters to connect the new devices to the existing wiring that ran to the back of the motorhome.
If your good at stuff like that and are interested then I would say go for it but I don't mind telling you that there were a few times when I was uttering a few curse words and wondering if it was truly a happy birthday present. After it was all said and done it was well worth it and it has worked flawlessly. I really like how when I use the turn signals that it automatically switches to the side camera that you activated. A very good functional safety add on while driving plus I use it while we're parked. I turn on the accesories use the manual buttons to toggle between the two side cameras and the back as a security check before turning in or if I get up during the night. If you want more particular's then let me know.