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01-18-2025, 09:05 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 5
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Chassis Battery Location Issue?
I had a fire retardant man tell me that the chassis batteries needed to be protected from the heat of the exhaust area.
I do think it odd that Newmar puts the batteries right above a very hot space.
Has anyone done anything to protect the batteries from the heat, like automative "foil" or a heat shield?
Or do you all not see that the chassis batteries are affected by the heat.
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01-18-2025, 09:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Bohemia NY
Posts: 2,020
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How old is your rig? Have the batteries ever shown any sign of heat damage?
__________________
Dennis
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
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01-18-2025, 09:37 PM
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#3
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,325
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Newmar uses maintenance free batteries for the starting batteries. They seemed to have an early failure rate; they lose their water quickly. Personally, I believe that occurs because they're in such a hot location.
I installed insulation on the back and the bottom of the battery box, on the exhaust side. Newmar also has the DEF tank just 3" from the exhaust. I wrapped the edge of the DEF tank too.
I also closed off the 12" x 36" opening at the bottom of the bay with aluminum and insulated the back of that too.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
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01-19-2025, 07:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don
Newmar uses maintenance free batteries for the starting batteries. They seemed to have an early failure rate; they lose their water quickly. Personally, I believe that occurs because they're in such a hot location.
I installed insulation on the back and the bottom of the battery box, on the exhaust side. Newmar also has the DEF tank just 3" from the exhaust. I wrapped the edge of the DEF tank too.
I also closed off the 12" x 36" opening at the bottom of the bay with aluminum and insulated the back of that too.
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Would you be so kind and post a few photos? I like the sounds of what you did and would like to do this to mine.
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01-19-2025, 07:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,065
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I agree with Don that the batteries are in a poor spot for heat…. That being said, my chassis batteries lasted 8 years… so go figure.
Adding a heat shield would not be a bad idea…
__________________
2017 Newmar Ventana 4310
1,440W solar / 800 AH Lithium
2007 CR-V
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01-19-2025, 07:44 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Brenham, Texas
Posts: 2,580
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Like has been said, insulating your batteries from exhaust piping and engine heat is probably a good thing and may extend battery life to a degree.
However, batteries are a replaceable item and are likely installed where they are because that’s where they are most effective.
You don’t see batteries exploding or catching fire and that’s saying a lot with all the vehicles with batteries in close proximity to engine heat everywhere.
__________________
Eddie and Jomaye, Retired
2018 Newmar Ventana 4369, 2021 Jeep Wrangler,
2024 Haulmark 20’ enclosed car hauler
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01-19-2025, 09:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: WI Driftlesser
Posts: 2,586
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Heat absolutely kills batteries. Cold is no problem for them, but shows when they're weak. Lots of cars move the battery from under the hood to buried under a fender, under a seat in the cabin, or even in the trunk, to get away from the heat. RV makers don't care because batteries are cheap, and mostly make it through warranty fine.
__________________
"Bringing third world electrical work to first world luxury." RV makers of Murica!
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01-19-2025, 11:13 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 34,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richpatty
I agree with Don that the batteries are in a poor spot for heat…. That being said, my chassis batteries lasted 8 years… so go figure.
Adding a heat shield would not be a bad idea…
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My batteries ( chassis and coach ) are above the muffler , and the chassis batteries lasted 12 years .
Coach batteries , do double duty in my golf cart so they don't make it that long.
I would think that the heat exposure ; for the battery location would be more a factor of miles driven than battery age .
Big bundles of chassis and coach wiring harnesses above the muffler too ; and no damage to them .
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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01-19-2025, 01:18 PM
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#9
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,325
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I'll correct myself, the back of the battery wall has some insulation from Newmar, but the underside was just metal. I used the type of silver foil lined insulation with what looks like dryer lint. I think it works better in these situations. If you buy the silver tape (looks like chrome - not duct tape) in the heating and ducting section at Home Depot, it sticks to everything and holds the edges tight. I used high temp spray glue to install and then taped down all of the edges.
One of the photos with the slot/hole in the center is looking up from the ground at the underside of the tray.
One is of the aluminum plate I used to seal off the battery bay.
The last one is where I wrapped the rear edge of the DEF tank with insulation.
Lastly, about once a year, I pull the two starting batteries and fill them with distilled water. The cables are "hardened" into where they go, so no worry about confusing them. I sit on a chair in front of the battery bay and lift one out at a time. I slit the paper on top and then remove the three battery caps. Even though they're maintenance free, you can fill them.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
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01-19-2025, 02:42 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2024
Posts: 5
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Thanks Dutch Star Don for the pics.
I was debating on that method as well but also debating on a 1" thick fire retardant insulation. Since you feel that your thin insulation has helped, I think I will go that route.
I am grateful that my DEF tank is on the other side of my rig.
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01-19-2025, 05:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 2,155
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My chassis batteries are in the same location as Don's. Changed them last lnovember, Lasted 6.5 years as my chassis is a 2018 so for me that seamed to be pretty since my pickup truck is doing good to make it 4 years.
__________________
2019 Horizon 42Q
Cummins L-9 450 HP
Maxum Chassis / IFS with Tag
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