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wet cell coach batteries top off

Yahoo Message Number: 86086
I was curious if there is some prevailing wisdom as to how often newer wet cell batteries for the coach 12v system require adding water under normal shore power conditions. I am not talking about dry camping with extensive use of 12V and inverter power. I am strictly talking about driving from one Park to the next, plugging into shore power, staying a couple weeks, then moving on to the next RV Park... with very little 12V usage in between that is not alternator charged. And if outside weather is a major factor, then say winter and summer averages.

any input on this?

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86089
my previous 8D engine battery needed water only once or twice in 4 years.

Larry 03 Allure 30856

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86092
Joeseph,

Each coach and charging system is probably different. But, I have found that monthly check of batteries that are managed by a high quality charger is too frequent. I have settled on quarterly checks and have never found the plates exposed.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6398
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86125
thanks for the replies... I will probably check them once a month for the next 6 months and see how it goes and if they require little water I'll probably move to quarterly as well

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86127
I think you have a good plan Joseph. Keep in mind that you will experience more out gassing in the heat of summer than in the dead of winter. Your 6 months of experience will include both weather extremes so you should have all the data you need to set a maintenance schedule.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86128
I also think you're going about this the right way. Our wet chassis 8D were checked between 4-6 weeks, always trying to 'top them off'. They would usually take a bit, but never very much. This was with the coach plugged in while parked beside the home, so on maintenance charge between excercise and actual travel time.

Best of luck, and have some fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86141
Inspection the wet cells water level is not a big thing and should be done as part of the standard procedure.
Most of the inspection we do don't show problems but gives a good feeling to us.
We live only for the winter months in Florida and store the coach in summer for 6 months with manually disconnected batteries.
One of the first things when we come back is checking and filling the batteries to the proper level before we charge. Depending on the summer temperatures the amount of missing water is different.

End of last September we had a break-in into the storage. 6 coaches were opened and robbed. On my coach they smashed the little toll booth window on the driver side (why ????), smashed the passenger side window but couldn't go through and finally destroyed the door lock cylinders to enter the motor home. They ripped out the front TV (37"" Sharp Aquos), took a VIZIO docking station, a digital picture frame, emptied all drawers, used the laundry bucket to pack and stole all the cleaning stuff, toilet paper, hair dryer and some of my personal things. They also took the pots and pans under the gas stove and messed up the floor an carpets.. Thanks god the coach was at this time close to empty.

After talking to the insurance they recommended a company in Winter Garden, FL. to do the repairs without any trouble to me. The coach was picked up and should be finished when we came back.
Mid December i wanted to pick up the motor home, but nothing was ready. No passenger side glass, no new locks, the installed TV was a $349.00 from Sears (estimated by the insurance Sharp Aquos 42" $799.00, by the way in the estimate was a $500.00 shipping cost for the complete passenger side door to replace the glass ??????, the door was never removed) Finally the glass arrived and was installed, but there was no frame ordered.

3 days ago, after 5 months, I was called to pick up the coach.

The coach didn't start. They offered me a jump start which i didn't like.
I first checked the batteries. There was not a little bit of water in, the cells were totally dry and baked together. They never checked the water level and had the coach for all the time on a power cord which blew at least the totally dry cells of the batteries. Because they never reached the expected voltage, the echo charger kept charging.

Now I have to buy new chassis and house batteries.

So much to check water level in wet cells batteries and also to recommended repair shops.

Hermann Robels

2007 Inspire Genoa #52006
Mazda MX5 in tow
 

Re: wet cell coach batteries top off

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86151
Hermann: If your insurance co. recommended this place they should be responsible for replacing the batteries and be told about your experiences. We also would like to know the dealer to steer clear of them. Good luck in resolving your claims. Barrie Boas 94 Concept 5111