Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > POWER TRAIN GARAGE FORUMS > Caterpillar Engine Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-15-2018, 06:15 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 146
Expected Battery Life

I have a Cat 3126E 330 HP and my coach is 14 years old. I am on my second set of batteries of which they are about 6 years old. The other day when I went to start the engine, I had to use the generator to charge up the batteries before I could get the engine to turnover and start. Up to this point I have had no issues with starting the engine no matter how long it had been sitting. The engine had been shut down as normal with all electrical shut offs activated and did not see any thing that might might have been drawing down the batteries. Like to know what others have experienced and what life expectancy can one expect from their batteries?
__________________
G & K Marshall
2004 DSDP 3810-2010 Ford Edge
gmarsha2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-15-2018, 11:30 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,581
Just replaced the starting batteries on mine this past month. They were 8 years old and were discharging by themselves in a few days.
__________________
Bob & Sandi, dogs Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2005 34 foot DolphinLX
If towing: a bright red 2016 Mini Cooper on a tow dolly.
1ciderdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2018, 04:29 PM   #3
DJJ
Senior Member
 
DJJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Port Charlotte, FL
Posts: 476
I too just replaced my 8 year old batteries. At home my RV is plugged in to 50 amp so the batteries are maintained with a float charge. I attribute that to getting 8 years out of the batteries.

Jeff
DJJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2018, 04:55 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
tropical36's Avatar
 
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJJ View Post
I too just replaced my 8 year old batteries. At home my RV is plugged in to 50 amp so the batteries are maintained with a float charge. I attribute that to getting 8 years out of the batteries.

Jeff
That and not constantly depleting them excessively.
I've already put the hurts on my AGM's, more than a few times.
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
tropical36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2018, 07:52 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
ftodaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 718
There are several factors that can impact battery life, so the range can be 4 to 6 years in most cases and 6 is good. Most car part places will test for free with a load tester. I like to stay on top of them with maintenance and keeping the terminals clean.
__________________
Frank, Columbus, Ohio
2001 Itasca Horizon Cat 3126B 330hp, 2018 Jeep GC Limited, EPS harness or 24' Enclosed Car Hauler
ftodaro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2018, 10:52 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
distaff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
I'm with the 8 year crew. I put new coach and chassis batteries in back in 2009 when I bought the coach (at only 3 years old they were all done) and my chassis batteries lasted until last summer.
__________________
Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
distaff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2018, 07:54 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
still have the originals from 06 cranks good and no sign of failing
boilermaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2018, 08:01 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Syracuse Ut.
Posts: 692
It's really hard to predict the life you'll experience with batteries due to the variables that affect batteries. Life expectancy is drastically altered if you experience more hot temperatures than the average, especially hot conditions during battery charging. Batteries left in a semi discharged state for any amount of time will meat an earlier demise than might be expected, and depth of discharge and number of cycles come in to play in a significant way as well. If you full time off grid 3 years of life with might be pushing it for well maintained use wheras 8 to 10 years of life might be experienced by well maintained batteries used in moderate temperatures.
__________________
2016 Bighorn 3270RS, 2015 Ram 3500 CTD/ASIN
Searching_Ut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2018, 02:57 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
tropical36's Avatar
 
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by boilermaker View Post
still have the originals from 06 cranks good and no sign of failing
12yrs could be some kind of a world record, then...
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
tropical36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2018, 04:35 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,091
Got 10 yrs on mine so far. The coach is only plugged in when we are out camping. When not in use , the batteries are disconnected. We only have a short 3 to 4 month camping season up here , so they are not used or charged for 8 to 9 months every year.
__________________
1993 Tiffin Allegro Bay 32'
Soppy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2018, 04:34 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
tropical36's Avatar
 
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmarsha2 View Post
I have a Cat 3126E 330 HP and my coach is 14 years old. I am on my second set of batteries of which they are about 6 years old. The other day when I went to start the engine, I had to use the generator to charge up the batteries before I could get the engine to turnover and start. Up to this point I have had no issues with starting the engine no matter how long it had been sitting. The engine had been shut down as normal with all electrical shut offs activated and did not see any thing that might might have been drawing down the batteries. Like to know what others have experienced and what life expectancy can one expect from their batteries?
Six years would be about average.
Any reason why you didn't use your aux boost for tying your battery banks together and for starting the engine?
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
tropical36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2018, 05:32 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 146
Thanks for the info......as for using the boost....really no reason. I decided to start the generator and let it charge up the system. My coach has started well since then, but I have decided to change them out anyway. Based on the feed back I am going to be proactive rather than having to ask later on why didn't I change them when I had the chance.

Thanks again for the feed back
__________________
G & K Marshall
2004 DSDP 3810-2010 Ford Edge
gmarsha2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 07:16 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 1,422
Batteries

Replaced chassis batteries in January, 2018. They were 17 years old, but I have replaced: coach batteries twice in the same 17 year period. Last change was to AGM sealed single 8D battery. No more cable corrosion.
mrboyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2018, 10:42 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrboyer View Post
Replaced chassis batteries in January, 2018. They were 17 years old, but I have replaced: coach batteries twice in the same 17 year period. Last change was to AGM sealed single 8D battery. No more cable corrosion.
know that's definitely some kind if record!!!
boilermaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
battery



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Expected life of a Ford V10 Seajay Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum 29 03-29-2019 10:31 AM
AGM house batteries - expected life bill2011 Entegra Owner's Forum 40 03-30-2016 04:41 AM
Bay Star and Canyon Star Expected Life RodgerS Newmar Owner's Forum 19 12-20-2014 12:40 PM
expected mpg of the V10 cmprcountry Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum 38 02-27-2007 01:20 AM
Expected Mileage JavaJelly Newmar Owner's Forum 4 01-03-2007 12:10 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.