New Chassis Batteries

[bob109]

After wintering in Florida returned home only to discover my chassis batteries were shot. The batteries were Interstate Workaholics and according to info on the cases, one was manufactured in 04 and the other in 05. Both were installed by the previous owner. Seven to eight years of service seems above the norm They were rated at 825 CCA. Called my local garage and ordered two new Interstate Workaholic 31-MHD High Cycling 950 CCA RC195. Just completed the installation today. One turn of the key and the 330 Cat sprang to life without any hesitation Both of the new batteriesw have a manufacturing date of 5/11 which is as fresh as you can get. I told the garage owner that I wouldn't accept dated batteries and he assured me they would be new/fresh Replacement cost was $280.00 for both

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/...5bf52df3_b.jpg

[The General]

Bob,

Good life out of those old batteries.


Steve

[Mr_D]

Our six batteries are just a month or so short of nine years old (since we bought the rig) and still doing the job. I don't remember what the two chassis batteries are but the four house batteries are Interstate U-2200's. In 2004 I did add some liquid battery equalizer from Harbor freight and 4 oz of plain old mineral oil to each cell of the house batteries (the starting batteries are no maintenance ones). The mineral oil took care of most of the water adding and the equalizer must have worked as they're still going fairly strong for 9 years old.

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Our six batteries are just a month or so short of nine years old (since we bought the rig) and still doing the job. I don't remember what the two chassis batteries are but the four house batteries are Interstate U-2200's. In 2004 I did add some liquid battery equalizer from Harbor freight and 4 oz of plain old mineral oil to each cell of the house batteries (the starting batteries are no maintenance ones). The mineral oil took care of most of the water adding and the equalizer must have worked as they're still going fairly strong for 9 years old.

I, like you, also have 4 each Interstate U-2200's as house batteries. After four mounths in Flordia, hooked to 50 amp shore power, I became tired of watering coach batteries. Added 3 oz of mineral oil to each cell of the U-2200's and have not had to add water since! The battery compartment is spotless The new Interstate 31's are sealed and maint-free Within a half mile of the RV park, where I winter over, there's a garage which is a authorized Interstate Dealer. A little peace of mind should something go wrong with the batteries My present coach batteries were installed by the previous owner. If I get 9 years from them I'll be in the street

[Mr_D]

I agree about the cleanliness! In our 2000 Dutch Star I didn't add the mineral oil, in less than two years the release for the battery tray corroded through and I had to replace it and the hold down straps. In the 2002 Dutch Star the original straps are still intact and no rust/corrosion is showing. Much cleaner and, while I still have to add distilled water it is far less than before the mineral oil was added.

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D I agree about the cleanliness! In our 2000 Dutch Star I didn't add the mineral oil, in less than two years the release for the battery tray corroded through and I had to replace it and the hold down straps. In the 2002 Dutch Star the original straps are still intact and no rust/corrosion is showing. Much cleaner and, while I still have to add distilled water it is far less than before the mineral oil was added.

I'm a beliver in the Mineral Oil. I have a Freedom 458 Inverter/Charger and as it cycles through the charging phases, gasing of the coach batteries can make a mess of things over time. Bought some CRC Battery Cleaner and cleaned the entire battery compartment before adding the MO. Other than some road dust, which I flush off with cold water, the batteries and surrounding surfaces have stayed clean Bare metal areas, such as the threaded battery hold down bolts, receive a light coating of WD-40 which prohibits any rust

[wa8yxm]

Well , INterstate Work-a-holics should last a bit longer.. But then depending on your coach perhaps not.

What model (Size/type) are those.. U-2200's often go 8-10 years (i'm hoping for 8 on mine) but those are deep cycle.. Starting types (IE: Group 29, or Group 73) can also last that long, Unless they are run down too far.

Not all motor homes charge the chassis battery when on shore power, and the parasitic loads from things like the dash radio's memory and the engine computer's memory can take the battery down much faster than you think... Starting batteries do not recover as well as the U-2200's do. But they do a much better job of starting the vehicle.

[Mr_D]

That's why we (and a lot of others) have two for starting (which are made for high draw, short duration) and four deep cycle 6 volt ones (which won't work very well, if at all for starting).

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D That's why we (and a lot of others) have two for starting (which are made for high draw, short duration) and four deep cycle 6 volt ones (which won't work very well, if at all for starting).