|
09-16-2014, 08:23 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 93
|
Changing out old batteries
Hi there! Am changing out 4 6volt batteries on my Holiday Rambler today, anything I have to be aware of besides closing the battery shutoff. I will mark all the terminals so as not to get them mixed up.
|
|
|
|
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!
|
09-16-2014, 08:39 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa
Posts: 2,772
|
Just take a picture, then if memory fails you have the manual, a visual. Also depending how clean.n you battery box is maybe cleaning material and paint.
LEN
__________________
2004 Clss C 31' Winnebgo
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 08:49 AM
|
#3
|
Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
|
Changing out old batteries
Use baking soda and water to neutralize any acid residue.....let sit then flush with water.
Use wire brush to clean terminals and cable clamps until shiny.
Don't wear watch or rings....that way you don't accidentally short against touching anything metallic and burn yourself.
Wear protective eyewear.
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 09:24 AM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 93
|
Great advice, forgot about the eye glasses!
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 09:56 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 7,587
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pasdad1
Use baking soda and water to neutralize any acid residue.....let sit then flush with water.
Use wire brush to clean terminals and cable clamps until shiny.
Don't wear watch or rings....that way you don't accidentally short against touching anything metallic and burn yourself.
Wear protective eyewear.
|
Always remove the Negative Cables first then the Positive. When installing the new batteries, connect the Positive first and then the Negative.
That way if you do happen to touch the wrench to ground, you won't get a big spark.
__________________
2019 Unity LTV CB, pushed by a 2013 Honda CRV, BlueOx Baseplate, Aventa Bar & Patriot Brake
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 11:37 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
|
The biggest things are covered..
All battery changes, Mark all cables first,, I like to use paint markers but tape and tag work
Photograph
Remove Negative cable first
Wear protective gear
Clean compartment
This is the one far too many people forget
GET THE PROPER REPLACEMENT BATTERY
I can not tell you the number of threads here and in other forums where someoen replaced six volt batteries with 12's hooking them up the same way and causing damage.. OR conversely replaced 12's with sixes still hooking them up the wrong way so nothing worked.
AND IN AT LEAST ONE SUCH THREAD.. It was a DEALER that did the swap.. and yes, they screwed it up.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 12:24 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ontario, CA USA
Posts: 1,400
|
What I am now doing on my vehicles with a metal battery trays, is I clean & sand the tray and spray on a couple of coats of bed liner. This has helped slow down the corrosion from the batteries. Besides doing everything else listed.
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 03:19 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 168
|
Plastic Battery Boxes
Try to use plastic battery boxes, if feasible.
JohnnyB
__________________
2014 ShowHauler 45'
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 07:09 AM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 93
|
Thanks guys, I did the swap over yesterday and no problems. I purchased Sams Club Duracell 6volt batteries which worked out fine. I am debating if I should install the Amp-L-Start to charge the chassis battery while driving? Any ideas?
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 07:35 AM
|
#10
|
Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaminman
Thanks guys, I did the swap over yesterday and no problems. I purchased Sams Club Duracell 6volt batteries which worked out fine. I am debating if I should install the Amp-L-Start to charge the chassis battery while driving? Any ideas?
|
Your coach should already charge chassis battery from alternator while driving.
Amp-L-Start is used normally to charge chassis batteries while house batteries are also receiving a charge ( large solar bank, generator, or connected to shorepower)
I guess it could be connected in reverse to send some of the alternator current to the house batteries while driving.....however usually this is accomplished by means of a solenoid, or battery isolator (using diodes)
Which do you mean?
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 09:04 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 93
|
The chassis battery is charged when I am driving as well as the house batteries. However, when I have the generator on engine off, or plugged in to shore power the charger will only put a charge in the house batteries not the chassis batteries. From what I understand Amp-L-Start will allow the chassis batteries to be charged while on shore/Gen power.
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 09:06 AM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 93
|
Just reread my original post and I explained it wrong. Not while I am driving but when on shore/gen power.
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 11:12 AM
|
#13
|
Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,182
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaminman
I am debating if I should install the Amp-L-Start
|
If debating.....what is the alternative ? You can buy a 110volt trickle charger like "Battery Tender" to charge the chassis batteries.....however these types of chargers are good, but are only 1.5 amps. They also cost $40 - $60
The cheaper Trik-L-Start charges with 5 amps, and the bigger Amp-L-Start charges at up to 15 amps.
I would definitely go with one of the xxx-L-Start units.....can't really go wrong with either one.
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 11:22 AM
|
#14
|
Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
|
The AMP-L-Start is a great device. It will output UP TO 15 amps whereas its little sister, the Trik-L-Start will only output UP TO 5 amps.
Both are good, better than anything needing to be plugged into 120 VAC and a lot cheaper than the Xantrex Echo Charger.
Dr4Film ----- Richard
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|