Next Project - Change Coach Batteries

[dmason]

This will be my first time attempting this project so I'm looking for do's and don'ts ahead of making them. I've taken pictures and drawn diagrams of my four battery lay out. I'll be replacing my U2200 Interstates with the same battery. Once I get the old ones out I want to clean and preserve the battery tray before I put the new ones in. Some questions:
1. Any correct sequence to disconnecting the old batteries? Or reconnecting the new batteries?
2. What's a good preservative/paint to use on the battery tray?
3. I've a red substance sprayed on the terminals now. Is that some sort of a coating to make a better connection? Should I use it again?
Any and all tips and tricks will be apprecaited. Thanks.

[MonacoMama]

dmason...I am getting photos and information for you...but I am wondering -have you ever equalized your batteries yet? SacsTC is wondering why you need to replace them?

[1ciderdog]

I'd suggest two things - disconect ground wires first. I'd also label all the wires. You can take a piece of tape and write on the tape in some manner that will allow you to get them back to the same battery post. I've used a black magic marker on blue "painters" tape kind of like: 1-H, 1-H, 1-N, 2-H, 2-N, on individual wires to help me remember there are two hot or positive on battery one, one negative on battery one, the 2's would be battery 2 and the same for additional batteries. In my younger years I could remember which came from where but those days are gone. The painters tape usually comes off the cables without much effort when you are done.

[MonacoMama]

You did the first thing right..You took a photo of your wire connections. This will definitely help you when it comes time to reconnect everything.

First and foremost - disconnect from electricity if you are plugged in. Next you need to turn of the main battery disconnects. You can then start disconnecting the batteries. Please disconnect the negative terminals first. (These will also be the last one to be reconnected.)

SacsTC used baking soda when he cleaned the batteries. It neutralizes any acid that may be on the batteries.

We bought some "truck bed-liner paint" from Kragen's. (It is called Herculiner.) You can get it from any auto parts store. We removed the battery tray so that the bottom of the bay could also be treated. (I have attached photos below) You should also put the "red stuff" back on. It helps to keep any battery corrosion down. We use the Permatex Battery Post spray.
BEFORE photo:


AFTER Photos:

You can see the battery bay bottom has been treated also:

[MonacoMama]

You can see the can of "Permatex" lying in the bottom right corner of the battery tray in the photo directly above.
SacsTC just said that the Permatex direction state to also spray the posts before putting the cables on...he has not done that before but we have not had any corrosion since we redid the bay over 2 years ago.

PS..You should check all your battery water levels monthly. The chassis batteries are not really "Maintenance free" as stated on the top of the batteries.

[dmason]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonacoMama dmason...I am getting photos and information for you...but I am wondering -have you ever equalized your batteries yet? SacsTC is wondering why you need to replace them?

MonacoMama,
Why I needed to replace them ??? Found out the hard way that "maintenance free" didn't mean "no maintenance". I let them run almost dry and caught it too late. Now I understand more about "maintenance free" batteries.

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmason MonacoMama, Why I needed to replace them ??? Found out the hard way that "maintenance free" didn't mean "no maintenance". I let them run almost dry and caught it too late. Now I understand more about "maintenance free" batteries.

I am sorry to hear that. It is not a cheap way to learn about battery maintenance.
FYI -You can also learn about equalizing batteries at this post.

[moisheh]

If your battery trays do not have a rubber mat on the bottom this would be a good time to install one. Any rubber matting will do. This helps prevent corrosion on the tray.

[Diplomat Don]

dmason....My battery bay actually had a palstic tray in the bottom. I removed it and cleaned everything up. You might want to think about adding one of the water fill systems. I'm really impress how well they work and how simple it is to maintain the batteries. They're a little pricey, but worth the money.

[1ciderdog]

I forgot to mention in my previous post when you take more than one wire off a terminal you can keep them together by attaching them together with a wire tie.

[WeBeGone2]

Just replaced my 4 houses batteries. Take picture, draw diagram, have a beer. Find a strong young man to pull those sucker out. Have another beer while he breaks his back. Have him load the old batteries in the trunk of your car. Get new batteries and have kid unload them from your trunk. Have a beer while young strong guy places the batteries on the tray. Those puppys are really heavy. If any corrosion on wire ends or hold downs just dump some Coca-cola on them. Works great. Wonder what it does to our stomach? Reconnect then award yourself with another beer. Give kid ten bucks and send him on the way. Gloat to DW how easy it was and ask for a steak for dinner.

[MonacoMama]

WeBeGone2... By the way...you are right ... "those puppies really are heavy"!!

[Keithb56]

Yes, very heavy and awkward to handle. I added two 6V batteries to my bank. The dealer I bought the batteries from had a carrying strap that latched to lugs on the top of the battery case. It made it much easier to carry and then load the batteries into the tray. I convinced him to let me borrow the strap overnight while I installed the new batteries. See if you can get a lifting strap.
Keith

[Keithb56]

Here is a link to the battery strap:
Battery Strap