Community Forums

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2019, 09:44 AM

We keep our coach plugged into 30A service when at home. I have tried to check the batteries occasionally and top them off with distilled water. Well, occasionally wasn't good enough! Yesterday I checked and I couldn't see any water at all! It took 2 1/2 gallons to fill them!

From this point forward I will be checking them when I do the monthly 30-minuted exercise drive!

mobilemike · 09-07-2019, 10:37 AM

If your charger is boiling the batteries dry it is either old and will not regulate to low enough amperage or the built in regulator is bad.

baraff · 09-07-2019, 10:37 AM

You need one of these. Or two if you have more than 2 batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2...omotive&sr=1-1
The squeeze bulb pump is extra for some odd reason, but necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2.../dp/B001FC79EW

I have one on my coach because the batteries are a pain to get to. Hook up the squeeze pump to the connection, place the other end in the jug of distilled water, squeeze bulb til resistance is felt. No mess, no worries about overfilling.

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2019, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

You need one of these. Or two if you have more than 2 batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2...omotive&sr=1-1
The squeeze bulb pump is extra for some odd reason, but necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2.../dp/B001FC79EW

I have one on my coach because the batteries are a pain to get to. Hook up the squeeze pump to the connection, place the other end in the jug of distilled water, squeeze bulb til resistance is felt. No mess, no worries about overfilling.

Thanks Burns, but my batteries are on a roll-out tray so I can get to each one easily with the hand-held auto filler jug that I got from Auto Zone.

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2019, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilemike

If your charger is boiling the batteries dry it is either old and will not regulate to low enough amperage or the built in regulator is bad.

I'm sure it's the one that came in the 2002 MH so yes, it's old!

gatorb8 · 09-07-2019, 11:06 AM

I thought a good 3 stage charger would not allow boiling, is your charger working correctly?

Persistent · 09-07-2019, 11:10 AM

You may have a defective charger as suggested above. It could also be an issue with one or more batteries.

Either way, you can check by monitoring the voltage on the batteries. With the charger on for a long time (14 to 18 hours) the best voltage to see would be 13.2 volts. This is best for long term battery maintenance.

13.6 would be good for normal fully charged in use situations. 14.4 would be bad for lead acid batteries. That is bad for more than a few hours. 14.4 is ok for a few hours after significant discharge. The charger should automatically drop back to 13.6 after a few hours of charging.

Since your water levels were extremely low, you may benefit from a "conditioning" cycle. High voltage is applied for a short period. This stirs the acid into the distilled water and removes any sulfate crystals from the plates.

**Spdracr39** · 09-07-2019, 11:50 AM

I see new batteries in your future at the next cold snap :(

**pasdad1** · 09-07-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdracr39

I see new batteries in your future at the next cold snap :(

I agree. If the plates were exposed, the batteries are probably damaged, and need replacing.

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

I agree. If the plates were exposed, the batteries are probably damaged, and need replacing.

I guess I've got tough batteries and I'm really lucky. This happened a few months ago and I filled them up with no obvious damage!

MSHappyCampers · 09-07-2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

You may have a defective charger as suggested above. It could also be an issue with one or more batteries.

Either way, you can check by monitoring the voltage on the batteries. With the charger on for a long time (14 to 18 hours) the best voltage to see would be 13.2 volts. This is best for long term battery maintenance.

13.6 would be good for normal fully charged in use situations. 14.4 would be bad for lead acid batteries. That is bad for more than a few hours. 14.4 is ok for a few hours after significant discharge. The charger should automatically drop back to 13.6 after a few hours of charging.

Since your water levels were extremely low, you may benefit from a "conditioning" cycle. High voltage is applied for a short period. This stirs the acid into the distilled water and removes any sulfate crystals from the plates.

I have a solar panel on the roof with a controller inside. It shows the charge rate and the voltage on each set of batteries. They normally stay between 13.2 and 13.5 VDC.

jimcumminsw · 09-07-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I guess I've got tough batteries and I'm really lucky. This happened a few months ago and I filled them up with no obvious damage!

I disagree there may not be any visible damage and you might be able to get them to work in mild weather but! Once the plates are exposed to air, they begin to deteriorate through a process called sulfation. The battery will hold less of a charge and will not fully recharge each time you charge the battery. I would place a multimeter on the batteries to read what the voltage is upon starting and when the alternator is charging the batteries. You may not be receive a complete charge and when you need the batteries at the most inconvenient time they will die!

96Bounder1st · 09-07-2019, 01:07 PM

Joe & Annette,
I will have to see how mine works once I get it at the end of the month. The Solar setup on there does charge at up to 19 amps.
Good luck with your batteries and hope the charger checks out.

Terry & Pat

richard5933 · 09-07-2019, 01:45 PM

I concur with the others. Get a good multi-stage charger.

Remember, the prime important number is voltage. Higher for first stage, lower for second, and the final (float/storage) stage should only be about 13.2v for lead acid flooded batteries.

Amps? Only makes a difference in how fast the batteries can be charged. My Trojans have a recommendation of charging at 10% of maximum capacity. For my 780 Ah battery bank that means a 70-amp charger.

But, your batteries will only take in the amps they need. The charger won't 'push' amps to the batteries above what they need in the moment. Volts, on the other hand, can do serious damage to the battery if they are too high.