Community Forums

jefrut · 01-31-2015, 06:45 PM

Hello All
First of all,thanks to everyone who offered some help with this problem.

I removed ,cleaned ,charged and re installed all the batteries and everything worked well until this morning . The engine battery wouldn't start the engine ,but when I tried the boost switch it started . I then tried to start the generator and the battieries were to weak ,it would not start.So i guess the batteries are done. The coach batteries were installed in 2009 and the engine battery was in 2002 ,so i guess its about time to change them.

Most everyone thought all the corrosion was due to over charging . Correct me if I'm wrong ,they get charged by one of three ways ,the alternator on the engine,the generator or the solar panel .
So where would I start to find out which one is doing the over charging,
and where would I put my test meter ?

Thanks
Jeff

PS I think that's when the batteries were changed ,going by the date stamped on the batteries

Motor7 · 01-31-2015, 06:53 PM

If you are getting 16 and 14 years out of batteries they are certainly not overcharging. Average lifespan of most automotive batteries are <7 years....you more than doubled that.

camato5 · 01-31-2015, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motor7

If you are getting 16 and 14 years out of batteries they are certainly not overcharging. Average lifespan of most automotive batteries are <7 years....you more than doubled that.

X2 agreed. you got all the life you could out of those puppies

TQ60 · 01-31-2015, 07:08 PM

Plug in your shore line and measure voltage.

If above 13.5 not good and if above 14.5 bad.

MnTom · 01-31-2015, 07:11 PM

Um, according to my math the coach batteries are just now 6 years old (2015-2009=6) and the engine battery is 13 years old (2015-2002=13). Replace the coach batteries and let each system run for a day or so and see what the voltage is. You may not be having any charging system problem, but it certainly doesn't hurt to check.

Motor7 · 02-01-2015, 06:25 AM

Either my eyes transmitted the wrong year, or there has been an "edit"......either way 6 years is still respectable

GaryKD · 02-01-2015, 08:34 AM

Hi jefrut,
Welcome to iRV2. Consider as part of your tool kit a battery load test tool. Auto parts stores sell them. They are easy to use and provide valuable information as to the battery's ability to provide power. Purchase a tester of at least 100 AMPS. My tester is 130 AMPS.

capnqball · 02-01-2015, 02:22 PM

Having been a boater for 35+ years I'm quite familiar with battery life. Now being an RVer with 6 coach and 2 chassis batteries (similar to my last boat) I will expect pretty much the same expected life: 5-7 years with regular care. This, coincidentally, is the same life I expect out of my new tires (22.5"). So if I'm lucky to get to the 7 yr mark, those puppies are gonna go, both tires and batteries. The headaches caused by trying to milk the last few electrons (or miles as the case may be) out of those batteries/tires just isn't worth being left stranded somewhere. Just my $.02.

Dutch Star Don · 02-01-2015, 03:00 PM

"capnqball"...I agree with you. I would try and salvage new batteries, less than 4 years old, but wouldn't waste a minute on something as old as the OP has.

TQ60 · 02-01-2015, 05:23 PM

Agreed as old ones are just that...but...

They seem to be functional so leave them in place FOR NOW.

Something caused the excessive mess which may be from over-SOMETHING...

Filling
Charging
Who knows what...

Do use existing batteries as nothing to loose to troubleshoot adjust and confirm proper operation as existing system should be considered as on probation.

Once it is determined to be correct tgen replace with new and still be on probation until confirmed good.

ramblinboy · 02-01-2015, 10:16 PM

As always it depends. Chassis batt is very important. As for your house batts how often are you not plugged in? Many folks hardly use their gennys or house DC power. You might be able to squeak more years out of your present ones.