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Care of Batteries for Long Life - Everyone's Desire

Yahoo Message Number: 5462
Hi Folks,

Here is what I learned about extending battery life.
1. Keep distilled water over the plates - about 0.5 in max. Check for level especially when discharged as the electrolyte is absorbed into the plates.
2. Periodically use the coach and use the batteries with some good loads.
3. Never let the voltage get below 12.00 vdc. You can get about 50 - 100 recharges after reaching 12.00 vdc, then buy new batteries.
4. Periodic recharge using shore power and the inverter with currents over 100 amps giving recharge voltage over 15 vdc. This is better than equalizing.
5. Equalizing shortens battery life as the manufacturer points out.
6. Desulfators might increase battery life - but I am still running tests.
7. 8Ds for their price can't be beat if cared for - keep the water level above the plates.
8. Never let the electrolyte level get over 1 inch above the plates when topping off with distilled water. If you do, it must be removed immediately before charging occurs. Always add distilled water with the disconnects OFF (loads and inverter removed).
9. Recharging from the engine alternator is a milder approach, with 40
- 50 amp initial amps, than the brut force amps the inverter provides.
10. Keep the coach on shore power at all times possible to provide trickle charge.

11. Keep the battery compartment clean with hose downs after trips - be sure to remove the water in the box by siphoning it out.
Fred Kovol

Re: Care of Batteries for Long Life - Everyone's Desire

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5473
Well said, Fred

We follow this procedure all the time and our batteries are 3 years old and still going strong. Some people call the CCI batteries junk but I think they just don't know how to care for them. We have also never equalized any batteries in the 3 coaches we have owned. We also use solar panels to trickle charge when we are outside without power.

Bill G. 2001 Magna #5998

Re: Care of Batteries for Long Life - Everyone's Desire

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5976
Hi, Fred.

Just re-reading some old posts and thought that I would pass along something that I was told at the FMCA convention.

I spoke to the rep at the Lifeline battery booth and was told that AGM batteries SHOULD be equalized. So I think the score is about even on what the "experts" say on the subject.

What are us poor AGM owners to do?

And by the way..... they work great..... 5 days dry camping at FMCA... with no problems or low battery headaches. However, now my charging form the alternator is absent. Any thoughts from the group?

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438

Quote from: fredkovol

Hi Folks,

Here is what I learned about extending battery life.
1. Keep distilled water over the plates - about 0.5 in max. Check

for

Quote
level especially when discharged as the electrolyte is absorbed

into

Quote
the plates.

2. Periodically use the coach and use the batteries with some good

loads.

Quote
3. Never let the voltage get below 12.00 vdc. You can get about

50 -

Quote
100 recharges after reaching 12.00 vdc, then buy new batteries.
4. Periodic recharge using shore power and the inverter with

currents

Quote
over 100 amps giving recharge voltage over 15 vdc. This is better

than

Quote
equalizing.

5. Equalizing shortens battery life as the manufacturer points

out.

Quote
6. Desulfators might increase battery life - but I am still
running tests.

Quote
7. 8Ds for their price can't be beat if cared for - keep the water > level above the plates.

8. Never let the electrolyte level get over 1 inch above the plates > when topping off with distilled water. If you do, it must be

removed

Quote
immediately before charging occurs. Always add distilled water with > the disconnects OFF (loads and inverter removed).
9. Recharging from the engine alternator is a milder approach,

with 40

Quote
- 50 amp initial amps, than the brut force amps the inverter

provides.

Quote
10. Keep the coach on shore power at all times possible to provide > trickle charge.

11. Keep the battery compartment clean with hose downs after

trips -
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel