AGM or F/C Batteries

[cmillsap]

Did BB install 6 8D batteries or 6 4D batteries in a 2000 LXI as original equipment? Were they Flooded Cell or AGM? I ask because I need to replace a flooded cell battery or maybe replace them all with the correct size AGMs. It appears visually that the (3) battery trays are sized for (2) 8D batteries in each tray. I believe that was the setup on my previous other LXi.

The PO replaced the battery bank in my new(to me) LXi in April of this year just before I bought it. He installed 6 new 4D Powertron Flooded Cell batteries. I installed a battery watering system on them as I hated to replace a good set of new batteries.

While at the WaGu rally we smelled this sewer oder around and inside the bus. I flushed the black tank and added some baking soda to the grey tank in an effort to eliminate the smell.

A few miles down the road as we headed for home, we pulled into a rest stop because the oder was getting stronger. It was dificult to pinpoint the location where the smell was coming from. I had my infra-red thermometer gun in my pocket as I intended to check the tire temps while we were stopped. I started aiming the gun at the batteries. Five batteries were running around 75*F and one battery was running 145*f. Closer inspection (with the nose) determined the battery was emiting (sulfating) the oder and the side walls were starting to bulge.

With the help of Gregg and Jane Gesse, who just happened to stop at the same rest stop, we disconnected the bad battery and wrapped the cables in a couple of Jane's rubber kitchen pads and tied them up so they could not short out on anything.

So if you smell an oder akin to a sewer or propane gas smell, Check you batteries as one or more may be sulfating.