Community Forums

wa8yxm · 03-01-2015, 01:04 PM

If the two six volt GC-2 batteries took only 2 quartes (1/3 quart per cell average) you should be ok,

That is just barely below the top of the plates

If it had taken a FULL gallon to do the job you would be IFFY, I've never taken a full gallon, but I have hit 3 quarts a time or two. Batteries made it to nine years.

trode · 03-01-2015, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OB-One

House batteries are deep cycle batteries. Deep cycle flooded batteries are lead-antimony, (lead-acid using an antimony alloy).

Chassis, or starting batteries, are lead-calcium, (lead-acid using a calcium alloy).

Lead-antimony batteries use considerably more water than lead-calcium, and the water usage will increase as the battery ages. Near end of life, lead-antimony batteries will use approximately four times the water then when new.

Wow, I am amazed at how much I learn on this forum, never knew this but explains a lot. Thanks

Mac99 · 03-01-2015, 01:58 PM

Length of service for a battery is not a function of time. It is a function
of depth of discharge and number of charge cycles. Deep, repetitive
discharge cycles will result in the shortest life span.
IMHO, five years of routine normal use would then require frequent monitoring
of their condition. When in doubt, swap them out. There is no battery
more expensive than the one you'd have to buy in the middle of nowhere
that you must have right away. And when you do need new ones, check
out AGM type batteries, zero maintenance and no corrosive out-gassing.

DD788Snipe · 03-05-2015, 10:45 PM

Sounds to me like you inverter/charger is not dropping to the 13.2V float charge and is boiling your house batts hard. My 2005 Winnebago Voyage did that and it cost me 2 Trojan GC batts. Change out your inverter/charger and problem will be solved. Batts are not cheap.

trode · 03-23-2015, 07:07 AM

Back again with more info and questions. I went to MH this weekend, have left charger/converter plugged in for week now, with house switch off. Now I guess the charger function is working right as the reading on house bank and chassis battery was 13.2V at panel, so based on what I have read here it is in "float" stage.

Now the question, is it a good idea to keep the charger plugged in while in storage or am I shortening the battery life by doing so? I used to be in storage with no power available and would just disconnect all batteries when I left.

What is desired method to a: prolong battery life, and b: be safe while in storage?

Thanks

mchero · 03-23-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

dennis45,

You state that " You should see 8 -10 years out of a set of batteries", and then link us to a Trojan battery site.

Trojan states that it is diffucult to predict battery life and makes no claim of 8 -10 year life.

A battery is a machine and it`s life is based on cycles and depth of discharge, not years. Some users will use them up much faster then others.

Living on batteries.

I bought my lead acid golf cart batteries from Sam's in 2005. Installed a Progressive Dynamics 60 amp with charge wizzard at the same time. Still going strong.
Not Trojan batteries but just fine with me.

With a smart charger you should be ok leaving it plugged in.

Dr4Film · 03-23-2015, 08:28 AM

I guess you could say that my coach has been in "storage for over 2 years" now and plugged in all that time even though I have been living in it. Actually I've been living in it for over 12 years now.

In the past 2 years I have only driven the coach a few times to have repairs done on it since parking it over 2 years ago.

There's no difference between having it plugged in at storage or plugged in while parked.

JMHO.

All of my batteries are from Sam's Club. I think they are great batteries with a great warranty.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

mchero · 03-23-2015, 04:00 PM

I did find Trojan T-105's here locally for a 130/pop! Not bad eh? Thinking about swapping out my 4 6 volts.

wa8yxm · 03-23-2015, 04:28 PM

One quart per GC-2 the batteries likely have several years left in them.

How long has it been since you last checked them.

NEW: with the Intella-Power charge wizard job it should go close to a year between re-fills but check at least every 3 months.

As they age check monthly. When it gets to the point where they are seriously down in a month....You may need a new pair.

OldToolmaker · 03-24-2015, 11:13 AM

Leave it plugged in.

O-Kay, here's an answer with some technical details. Without going into too much detail.

Resting voltage of a fully charges lead acid battery with 6 cells i.e. a 12V battery, the resting voltage is about 12.6 volts. 12.7 volts isn't enough voltage difference to charge the battery. 13.2V is just enough voltage to equal the batteries self discharge. So, that being said it is better for the battery to leave the charger-power supply plugged in all the time because it's the charge - discharge cycles that wear out the battery. A good charger will up the voltage to 14.4 every couple of days or so to stir the electrolyte and keep it from forming layers of differing density.

Enough?

OldToolmaker · 03-24-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchero

I did find Trojan T-105's here locally for a 130/pop! Not bad eh? Thinking about swapping out my 4 6 volts.

That's outstanding! In Concord, NH? Is this a one-time deal or a regular thing?

chboone · 03-24-2015, 11:49 PM

Below are the charging perimeters of the Progressive Dynamics 9200 series with the charge wizard pendant. With the charge wizard pendant they are a 4 stage charger. I like the boost charge every 21 hours, does help to extend battery life. If your having to add water to batteries frequently they are showing their age. When batteries are at the end of their life the charger stays in boost/bulk mode longer to get the batteries to 90% charge causing excessive gassing.

BOOST Mode*14.4 Volts - Rapidly brings the RV battery up to 90% of full charge.
NORMAL Mode*13.6 Volts - Safely completes the charge.
STORAGE Mode*13.2 Volts - Maintains charge with minimal gassing or water loss.
EQUALIZATION Mode*14.4 Volts - Every 21 hours for a period of 15 minutes prevents battery stratification & sulfation - the leading cause of battery failure.

mchero · 03-25-2015, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldToolmaker

That's outstanding! In Concord, NH? Is this a one-time deal or a regular thing?

Golf cart shop down in Bow junction.

mel s · 03-25-2015, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trode

Back again with more info and questions. I went to MH this weekend, have left charger/converter plugged in for week now, with house switch off. Now I guess the charger function is working right as the reading on house bank and chassis battery was 13.2V at panel, so based on what I have read here it is in "float" stage.
Now the question, is it a good idea to keep the charger plugged in while in storage or am I shortening the battery life by doing so? I used to be in storage with no power available and would just disconnect all batteries when I left.
What is desired method to a: prolong battery life, and b: be safe while in storage?
Thanks

trode
For 19 years my coach has always be been "plugged in", (and the batteries have always been connected)....except when moving, dry camping or overnighting where there is no shore power.

The original set of 6 batteries, (2 "12V maintenance free" chassis batteries and 4 "12V deep cycle/marine house batteries") lasted 9 years... as did the set that replaced them in 2005.

Mel
'96 Safari, Freedom 20 inverter/charger, (on the 3rd set of batteries).