Community Forums

djbmsu · 11-22-2015, 07:15 PM

Plugged in always unless on the road. 2 oz. of pure mineral oil in every cell. In two years I have not put a gallon of distilled water in the 6 batteries.

LSC9901 · 11-23-2015, 07:57 AM

Do some research on adding oil to your batteries. It isn't an add and forget deal. It was used more years ago and the technology for converter/inverters has changed over the years. People still do it but it is not a fail safe system.

NMRVer · 11-23-2015, 10:13 AM

like stated, it's best to plug in and keep the batteries topped off. My storage facility doesn't offer it, so I unplug. Once a month I start my generator and top off the batteries.

csrrsr · 11-24-2015, 01:06 PM

My inverter/charger is a Freedom Combi 2500 watt. The house batteries (4-6V) are Trojan. The batteries were purchased in May of 2011. It could be because they are getting old they boil more water as wa8yxm stated. I had to replace my Goup C 31 starter batteries last October when we wanted to head home from the coast. They were purchased in May 2011 along with the Trojan house batteries. I plan on replacing the 6 volts next spring. I see no need to let new batteries sit in storage.

ladagobago · 11-25-2015, 05:14 AM

Oh Boy, I see a few potential problems. I had a similar heart in mu boat for over 25 years. One thing I found was they really gas the batteries. you have to properly set them up and watch them closely. I have a 2000 sitting in my shed right now but opted to install a three stage Progressive with a wizard several years ago. I have not had any trouble since that time. Very low water usage and great battery performance.

I found the heart to boil batteries. We had 4-6volt and three 12 volt in the boat. In the MH we have 4 6V wet we float with the 3 stage and 2 12V agm. we do not float the agm.

I find 6 volt batteries to last about 5-6 years. My agm are now 10 years old and still good.

MRUSA14 · 11-25-2015, 05:34 AM

If you have a problem with excess gassing, get a 24 hr timer for 10-15 bucks. Set in to turn on for just one or two hours every day and plug into 20 amp outlet, then plug coach into timer. I do this with my car using a battery tender, leave it for six months and when I get back it is in great shape.

Snomas1 · 11-25-2015, 05:48 AM

I plug in for about 3-4 mo's every year and just check batts and add water (very little) once in that period time. I have a 2000w inverter.

twinboat · 11-25-2015, 06:54 AM

I used to use a timer on the power cord for my old boat, during winter storage. 1 hour a day seemed to do the job. Before that, the dumb charger, would gas out the water In the batteries.

The best fix is installing a smart charger.

pcurt23 · 11-25-2015, 07:18 AM

I have a 2007 fleetwood dp. I use about a gallon of water in the system per year (4 batteries). I have a disconnect switch for the house and when it is off I can go for a month without worrying about the batteries and then they are down to between 3/4 and 1/2 depending on the weather. When we are plugged in for 3 months in Florida it uses about the same amount of water. 3 stage charger like yours. I do have a battery fill system which makes adding water a walk in the park. RV Battery Watering Pro Fill System RV2000

ladagobago · 11-25-2015, 06:12 PM

The option is to simply charge the batteries to full and disconnect the negative terminal. That's what we do for our car which we leave in Florida. When we get back there, put the terminal back in place and drive away. A good battery should not self discharge if just sitting for a few months.

Mr_D · 11-25-2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snomas1

I plug in for about 3-4 mo's every year and just check batts and add water (very little) once in that period time. I have a 2000w inverter.

Our 2002 DSDP also had the 2000 W MSW inverter. Our OEM batteries lasted 10 years and the rig was plugged in 24/7 when stored. I did put 4 oz of mineral oil in each cell back in about 2004. Years later the battery tray still looked like new.
Put new house batteries in the Magna a few months ago and will put mineral oil in them when they get down a little. I also leave it plugged in 24/7 when stored.

csrrsr · 11-30-2015, 11:38 AM

So Mr. D were your batteries gassing before you used the mineral oil? I don't have any mineral oil in the batteries. If you think this is the ticket I'll give it a try. The vapor also used to corrode the battery terminals and the nuts on the battery holders. I've since used a protectant to keep that from happening. But that was always an on going problem.

BCRacing24 · 11-30-2015, 02:17 PM

The OEM installed WFCO 8955 in our 14' Thor MH was stuck in Float Mode. After switching to a Progressive Dynamics 4655 with Charge Wizard all is well again. Charges seem to last longer now, not sure the WFCO was ever charging right to begin with..... We now plug her in and forget about it.

ladagobago · 12-01-2015, 05:36 AM

Well it is certainly apparent from the myriad of comments and discussions here and lots of other places, that the charger mechanism is the final answer to battery longevity, gassing, water replenishment and "battery happiness". Thank you progressive.