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Topic: Batteries ! 2000 Allure #30549 (Read 1348 times) previous topic - next topic
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Batteries ! 2000 Allure #30549

Yahoo Message Number: 5504
I'm new here on the board and have spent the last week reading back posts. I see a lot of people talking about their batteries drain down while parked. As mine are always plugged in to 120V here at home I havent suffered dead batteries yet. Its either that or the coach is being driven on vacation. So basically I'm never without the batterys being charged to some extent.

How do I check to see if they are at 90% capacity..or 80% or .?? is my basic question I guess.

Any help appreciated.

"Sully"

P.S. If anyone with a 2000 Allure is sick to death of the "non existant" screen door latch...email me and I'll let you know the model I found that works great as a "replacement".

Re: Batteries ! 2000 Allure #30549

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5506
Sully,

John here, I am interested in what you did for a screen door latch on the 2000 allure. Both in and out.

Thanks

Re: Battery Capacity Remaining

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5508
Hi Sully,

Good rule of thumb:

Voltage under 12 vdc - 0% amp-hours left 12.2 - 12.25 25 % left
12.4 - 12.50 50 % left
12.7 - 12.75 75 % left
12.9 - 13.00 100 % left

This is for new and maintained batteries.
For older batteries (3 years or older), the % amp-hours left is lower.
Fred Kovol

Re: Battery Capacity Remaining

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5521
Quote from: fredkovol

Hi Sully,

Good rule of thumb:

Voltage under 12 vdc - 0% amp-hours left > 12.2 - 12.25 25 % left > 12.4 - 12.50 50 % left > 12.7 - 12.75 75 % left > 12.9 - 13.00 100 % left > This is for new and maintained batteries.
For older batteries (3 years or older), the % amp-hours left is

lower.

Quote
Fred Kovol
Fred: Thanks mucho partner.

SUlly

Re: Battery Capacity Remaining

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5522
I found different numbers and 28 pages of great information at:
http://www.marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm
For wet, lead acid battery at 80 degrees F, after the surface charge is gone (4 - 12 hours), open circuit voltage. Gel Cell and AGM type batteries will be different.

Digital Voltmeter State of Charge Hydrometer Freeze Pt ================= =============== ========== ========= 12.65 100% 1.265 -75F 12.45 75% 1.225 -55F 12.24 50% 1.190 -34F 12.06 25% 1.155 -16F 11.89 Discharged 1.120 -10F

Herb

Allure #30690

Quote from: rvman4u

Re: Battery Capacity Remaining

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5526
One item I was doing wrong is to fill the Flooded Wet Cell batteries to the bottom of the filler neck. If not otherwise indicated by the manufacturer, I have been told by two sources to fill no more than 1/4" BELOW the bottom of the plastic filler tube (vent wells). Of course, always keep the plates covered (but not to the filler neck).

Herb

Allure 2002 #30960

Re: Battery Capacity Remaining

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5529
Hi Herb,

I like your numbers.

The rule of thumb numbers I provided are easy to remember and are slightly pessimestic for a new battery but get closer as the cells age and the weak cells get weaker. Never going below 12.0 vdc does add to longivity. As for having to take cell specific gravity readings (messy job to do - leads to holes in shirts and pants), you are already in trouble as the battery has lost its capacity. It takes about a week to do the job right as best one can because there is no access to the individual cell connections. If you or someone really wants to know, I can provide a good but time consuming procedure. Adding too much water which boils out is directly related to a cell getting weak and eventually reverse bias (+ becomes - and - becomes +). The inverter/charger is the culprit as it likes to deliver over 150 amp charge even for a battery that is slightly discharged. I like the alternator for charging with its 40 - 50 amp rate. My next set of batteries will consist of individual 2.2 volt cells - six total.
Fred Kovol