Community Forums

SirGilbert · 11-03-2017, 01:05 PM

I have owned my Outlaw 29H for almost three years and have put less than 2000 miles on it. The few trips we have made have been wonderful, except when the jacks broke and it took the whole summer to (almost) fix them.

Because I am a new RV owner, I thought that keeping the RV stored in a garage, plugged into shore power was a good idea. The result is that the house batteries will no longer hold a charge. I have two questions that I would like to ask the more experienced RVers on the forum:
1. The house batteries are by Harris and say they are 160 aH. I have read that this is incorrect and that they are about 100aH. What is a reasonably priced battery to replace them with?
2. If I put the new batteries on a trickle charger, do I put the switch inside the side door to "store" or "use"?

Thanks for the great information on this forum.

Dean n Mike · 11-03-2017, 01:10 PM

So long as you are servicing the batteries with distilled water only on a monthly basis, and provided your charger is set appropriately, not overcharging the batteries, I believe your approach should give you the most life out of the batteries. There are more informed folks than myself on this, but what you have done is exactly what I am doing.

Did your batteries end up dry? Were they just at the end of their life?

Mike

PJStough · 11-03-2017, 01:14 PM

I am not sure what converter/charger your RV has, but a lot of converter/chargers are not three stage chargers and will boil your batteries if left plugged in to shore power. My suggestion would be to replace your current converter/charger with a good three stage converter/charger such as the Progressive Dynamics 9200 series.

Arch Hoagland · 11-03-2017, 01:16 PM

I leave everything normal when stored and plugged in next to my house. However I do use a engine battery disconnect knife switch.

I check the two six volt house batteries at least once a month and will almost always have to add a bit of water.

I buy my six volt batteries at Costco and 12 volt at Walmart.

It's very important that you check your water levels.

Winemaker2 · 11-03-2017, 02:02 PM

You didn't mention age?
As others noted important to keep water filled and battys charged.
For house your best buy are 2 6V GC2 golf cart battys in series to give you 12V and about 220 AH for $85 ea at Sams Club or Costco or try a golf cart place near you.

Also worth reading why in the linked post
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365954