Community Forums

doc · 03-27-2009, 04:07 PM

I was servicing the house batteries in our 08 Damon Essence the other day. Cleaning a bit of corrosion and spraying anti-corrosive and adding a little bit of water. When I got to the chassis batteries, I found no corrosion and was happy about that, but noticed the caps are screwed in flush and saw no evidence they are even vented. Now these are Freighliner batteries, came stock with the MH and chassis. I got to wondering if perhaps these batteries are indeed sealed and if it is even necessary to check water levels. I doubt they are the AGM types, but I had never noticed the lack of vents until I saw these.
Did I miss something? Or are these maintenance free?

doc

Hooligan · 03-27-2009, 08:28 PM

doc: This article indicates they are probably "maintenance free" you can check with Freightliner to be sure. (give them your VIN number)

http://www.freightlinerchassisowners.../batteries.htm

The owner's club website has a lot of good info in the Tech tidbits section. "Know your Chassis" has some good reading..

Hope this helps

Wayne M · 03-27-2009, 11:11 PM

Doc,
I have a Winni Destination 2008 and I was concerned about adding a BatteryMinder as to whether it was Flooded, AGM, or GEL. I called Freightliner and was told that it was a Flooded, unvented, maintenance free battery. I would suspect that is what they are putting in all of their chassis.

doc · 03-28-2009, 02:35 PM

Thanks guys and good!! I was hoping they were maintenance free, but was pretty sure they were not AGMs. PIA to get into that little compartment to add/check water, so that makes it better for me. I will talk with someone at Gaffney shop to make sure, but I believe you nailed it. Thanks again

Wayne M · 03-28-2009, 04:10 PM

Doc,
This little jewel

can be found at Golf Car Catalog com and reduces the PIA considerably.

soonerdave · 04-04-2009, 07:32 PM

The Essence chassis is the same as my Tuscany which has sealed batteries. The chassis batteries do not require servicing.

wagonmaster2 · 04-04-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Doc,
This little jewel

can be found at Golf Car Catalog com and reduces the PIA considerably.

Wish my battery slide would come out far enough to use this filler. The middle battery is easy to fill with a turkey baster even though not too easy to see into the cells. But the rear battery is almost impossible to even see into the cells with a very small mirror and flashlight. Definitely have to use the turkey baster on that one. Undoubtedly the engineers who design these battery slide out drawers have never even seen one with the batteries installed in them.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

doc · 04-05-2009, 04:59 PM

I can't use that filler device either. My chassis battery compartment does not move (IF I needed to add water

) and the house batteries won't slide out far enough to get it on top. So for me it is either a small funnel and a turkey baster. (Is that spelled right?)

Gary RVRoamer · 04-06-2009, 10:22 AM

Here are some possible solutions for hard-to-reach batteries:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-systems/4592

http://www.amazon.com/THEXTON-MFG-Ac.../dp/B000J4KQCY

http://www.strauto.com/120162.html

Smokyjoe · 04-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary]

Here are some possible solutions for hard-to-reach batteries:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...l-systems/4592

http://www.amazon.com/THEXTON-MFG-Ac.../dp/B000J4KQCY

http://www.strauto.com/120162.html

I bought the Camping World set for my batteries right after my first set of batteries went dry. Every couple months,I stick the tube in a bottle of distilled water and squeeze the ball and it fills all the cells at once. That's been 6 years ago,the batteries are still going strong.

Pigman1 · 04-08-2009, 03:40 PM

Nothing better or easier than the Flo-Rite system. I've used it on 2 different coaches on 3 separate sets of batteries. No looking in the mirror with the flashlight in one hand, mirror in the other and turkey baster in the third. Oh yeah, the tops of the batteries stay completely dry and therefore no corrosion. A bit costly but the aggravation it saves.... WOW! First thing I transferred into the new Bus when we bought it

John

ns09 · 04-08-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman

Nothing better or easier than the Flo-Rite system. I've used it on 2 different coaches on 3 separate sets of batteries. No looking in the mirror with the flashlight in one hand, mirror in the other and turkey baster in the third. Oh yeah, the tops of the batteries stay completely dry and therefore no corrosion. A bit costly but the aggravation it saves.... WOW! First thing I transferred into the new Bus when we bought it

John

We use & like the Flo-Rite system also. Our opinion is, it will extend the battery life enough to save you money. You never open the battery again & for sure, you don't mind adding some water more often.

powerboatr · 04-12-2009, 11:38 AM

doc
we are taking delivery on thursday of our new tuscany
i have two brand new interstate gell mat batteries in my fiver...that are staying with me, i boiled out the other batteries and i wonder of the 4 golf cart batteries might be swapped out for my new sealed batteries or added in as another source of 12 v power for the inverter????

Gary RVRoamer · 04-12-2009, 04:24 PM

It's somewhat of a risk to mix battery types, but since your gels are new it might be ok. Gel are supposed to get a different charge rate than flooded cell batteries, tho. Your best bet would be to sell the gels or sell the golf carts and buy two more gels.