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11-15-2013, 07:25 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: iowa
Posts: 455
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Checking Batteries
We recently bought a 1999 Dutchstar DP. The 4 6volt batteries were replaces in January. I just went out to check the water in them (all the batteries). When I pulled the handles to slide the batteries out only the front to batteries are visible. How do I check the back batteries? Or should it slide out far enough to check them all, and the slide out is stuck? Or is there another lever to release so I can pull it out farther? Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to yank on it and break something.
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11-15-2013, 07:34 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,469
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You should ask this question on the Newmar Owner's Forum as this is model specific.
__________________
John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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11-15-2013, 07:47 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
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Welcome to irv2.
Here is a couple of links for the electrical systems in your coach.
12v Battery system----- 12v wiring system
In my signature below are three links to much more info related to your coach.
You may have some battery cables hung up on something and need to be released to get tray out further, take a look with flashlight.
Enjoy the forums.
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11-15-2013, 09:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 715
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For the batteries I use a plastic stick and dip it down until I hit the plates
to check the "water" level.Then I use a turkey baster to fill each cell to about an inch above the plates. Works for me.
Siggy
__________________
Siggy & Ursula.
2011 Newmar DSDP 4020 , (No DEF, 07 emission),
FTL XCR Chassis , Cummins ISL 400 HP
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11-16-2013, 06:33 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wasilla Alaska
Posts: 284
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An inspection mirror and flashlight will work well for this task as well as many others. For me it's one of those essential items in the tool box.
Telescoping Mirror
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John and Karen
2012 Thor Challenger 36FD
2013 Fiat 500 Toad
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11-16-2013, 10:24 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
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On my coach the door over the batteries is hinged at the top, and the gas strut keeps it from opening all the way. I take the strut off and flip the door fully up, gives me access to the back two batteries.
I also have 2 more (total of 6) tucked in a small compartment beside the battery bay, those I have to disconnect and remove to check. Not trivial, but I need the juice as we run a residential fridge and dry camp a lot.
There are systems you can buy and add that will let you top up the batteries with out a lot of hassle. Not sure how they prevent over filling.
One other thing, look up "battery oil". Mineral oil from the local pharmacy will do the same thing.
__________________
Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
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11-16-2013, 01:54 PM
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#7
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,125
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One of the best things made for motor homes is the automatic watering systems. They're a little pricey, but you never have to check/mess with batteries again. Just squeeze the bulb on the filler tube every couple of months and you're done. The system also helps in keeping down the acid buildup.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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11-16-2013, 02:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,469
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The best thing for the motorhome is to replace the batteries with AGM's. No inspecting, no topping up ever.
__________________
John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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11-16-2013, 04:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi Ron & Kerrie,
Go to http://www.campingworld.com/search/i...p_sort_default and see a selection of battery watering systems.
The back batteries are always difficult to get at. If you keep the flooded batteries, the only solution to make it easy to ensure all the batteries are correctly filled is a battery watering system.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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11-16-2013, 10:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Crestview Florida
Posts: 235
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Quote:
Originally Posted by distaff
On my coach the door over the batteries is hinged at the top, and the gas strut keeps it from opening all the way. I take the strut off and flip the door fully up, gives me access to the back two batteries.
I also have 2 more (total of 6) tucked in a small compartment beside the battery bay, those I have to disconnect and remove to check. Not trivial, but I need the juice as we run a residential fridge and dry camp a lot.
There are systems you can buy and add that will let you top up the batteries with out a lot of hassle. Not sure how they prevent over filling.
One other thing, look up "battery oil". Mineral oil from the local pharmacy will do the same thing.
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How many amp/hrs are your batteries?
__________________
Carol & Doug French ECOA National Director
2014 Entegra Aspire 44U
2016 F150 Bronze Super Crew Cab 4X4
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11-16-2013, 11:13 PM
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#11
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Between the Oceans
Posts: 8,034
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the simplest way to do is using sticks. using one stick to measure the depth from the rim on the outer battery cell which you can see. using another stick to plug into the inner battery cell seeing how deep it is from the rim. Comparing two sticks you will know the details.
__________________
Steven & Polly
2000 Country Coach Intrigue 40' ISC 350
2018 Ford Explorer 4WD
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11-16-2013, 11:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I have a watering system. One if the best things I have added. I have not pair easy to service and another pair impossible to get too. Installed on the impossible pair. Was so convenient I added also to the easy access pair. Literally takes just 30 seconds to easily add water to the correct level.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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11-17-2013, 09:58 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigmoneySr
How many amp/hrs are your batteries?
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The coach is parked a few miles away (and it is effing cold here today), so I can't check, but I'm pretty sure I have the U.S. Battery 2000
U.S. Battery-US 2000 XC
I will re-consider the technology next time I change batteries, but the coach had AGMs in it when I bought it and I had to replace them all.
__________________
Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
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