Community Forums

Gadget Man · 01-12-2014, 03:24 AM

My DP has four 6V wet cell house batteries and two 12V sealed engine batteries. Is there a general consensus on how often the batteries should be replaced?

Craig

"007" · 01-12-2014, 04:04 AM

In a gas coach their is only one chassis battery and a couple of house batteries.
My house batteries, wet cells, have always given me good service maybe lasting up to 4 & 5 years than I would change them out to AGM's because of all the mess that can be associated with the wet cells.
Mean while the chassis battery keeps chugging along now being 10 years old+ sealed battery.
My battery system is controlled by a BIRD System which I have had in the three Newmars owned.
The coach is always plugged in 24/7 12 months of the year.

njs42 · 01-12-2014, 06:04 AM

Three to five years is probably what most people get but I have read folks claiming ten years out of their batteries crediting their storage process for the longevity.

The life of your batteries will vary considerably with the care they are given. A battery that is maintained with a charge will outlast one that has been allowed to discharge to very low levels then recharged. This makes maintenance of batteries in storage a key issue in their life expectancy. A properly stored battery with a charge/minder on it will easily outlast perhaps even twice as long as one without.

vsheetz · 01-12-2014, 06:09 AM

My last set of Trojan 105's lasted 10 years. Proper maintenance and charging goes a long way.

Okrver · 01-12-2014, 09:15 AM

My interstate batteries where replaced after 11 years with no issues. Just replaced because of age.

ladagobago · 01-12-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okrver

My interstate batteries where replaced after 11 years with no issues. Just replaced because of age.

If these were Lead Acid you must have had a special blessing along the way. My experience with batteries is 3-4 years. Professionally speaking licensed fire alarm engineer, batteries for these devices MUST be replaced after 5 years of service. Few if any of these sealed batteries last that long. On the MH I have two very large marine AGM batteries for starting and two deep cycle golf cart 6 volt batteries in series for the house. we will be adding two more for the house soon as two only last a few days with the furnace running.

on our boat, we replace the typical marine deep cycle battery every three years. They usually go bad during the fourth year and we don't need to be out there with dead or weak batteries.

On the RV house we get about 2-3 seasons but the get used hard. the starting batteries are very powerful and expect them to last the 10 years. I use these AGM because they start a cold diesel very fast. Always keep you starting batteries strong as you do not want to drag your starter motor long than necessary as it will reduce the life of the device.

Good batteries last longer because the have thicker plates and more reserve. All batteries last longer if properly charge and never deeply discharged. more batteries help to minimize deep cycling. Over charging will always overheat a battery and shorten the life. Sealed batteries offer the easiest options with minimal maintenance. There are recovery caps that can be used on wet cell which will minimize the amount of recharge water required.

There is a lot to talk about when it comes to batteries and a lot has been already posted. Of course, everyone will have an opinion - some right some wrong.

CHCam42 · 01-12-2014, 03:40 PM

We owned our coach 7 yrs, interstate 6 volt, loaded tested prior to sale still good. Very little dry camping and always plugged in while stored.

Mr_D · 01-12-2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P.

My DP has four 6V wet cell house batteries and two 12V sealed engine batteries. Is there a general consensus on how often the batteries should be replaced?

Craig

When they quit working right and not until.

Our Interstate U-2200's lasted one month short of 10 years and actually were still good enough for our use. We were headed out on a trip and I didn't want any trouble while on the road.
I did add 4oz of mineral oil in each cell when they were about 2 years old.

vsheetz · 01-12-2014, 04:25 PM

Distillers water.

**CountryFit** · 01-12-2014, 06:26 PM

i parked my rig at a private yard. the owner has a golf cart so he would drive it around the yard. when he saw i was changing my batteries, he told me his were due in change too. he flipped up his seat, i saw 4 t-105's. i asked how long those batteries had been, he said around 20 years. i was appalled but i knew the guy personally and i wouldn't doubt what he said.