batteries

[pattypape]

I would load test the batteries, and check the wet ones with a
hydrometer.
Could be just one or more dead cells. Disregard age of batteries,
cells do die from overly discharging.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Anyone,
> It may be a simple case of batteries at the end of their useable
life, but...
> If my coach is not plugged in, my three 4-D starting batteries and
6 gel-cell coach batteries drop to between 10.5 and 11.5 volts and I
have to plug in or run the generator for a few minutes just to get a
start, even tying in the generator batteri.
> I thought I might have left one inverter on by mistake, but when
plugged in, they both switched over to charge and fully charged the
batteries in a few hours. The meter was pegged at +300 amps for some
time.
> I hope it's something stupid I'm doing rather than needing to buy a
bunch of new batteries.
> Anyone have any experience with starting or gel-cell batteries from
Costco? Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Live Earth is coming. Learn more about the hottest summer event -
only on MSN.
> http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthwlm
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Chuck Wheeler]

I don know how batteries are set up on a LXI but any that are in a group
need to be replaced together. If they are not in the same condition they
will discharge each other. A good set of batteries will SLOWLY return to
around 12.6 volts when the charge is removed if there is not drain. The
voltage you are seeing indicates a dead cell or battery in the bank.



- Chuck Wheeler -

82 FC 31 SB

Fort Worth, TX

_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of pattypape
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 5:35 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries



I would load test the batteries, and check the wet ones with a
hydrometer.
Could be just one or more dead cells. Disregard age of batteries,
cells do die from overly discharging.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com, brad barton <bbartonwx@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Anyone,
> It may be a simple case of batteries at the end of their useable
life, but...
> If my coach is not plugged in, my three 4-D starting batteries and
6 gel-cell coach batteries drop to between 10.5 and 11.5 volts and I
have to plug in or run the generator for a few minutes just to get a
start, even tying in the generator batteri.
> I thought I might have left one inverter on by mistake, but when
plugged in, they both switched over to charge and fully charged the
batteries in a few hours. The meter was pegged at +300 amps for some
time.
> I hope it's something stupid I'm doing rather than needing to buy a
bunch of new batteries.
> Anyone have any experience with starting or gel-cell batteries from
Costco? Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Live Earth is coming. Learn more about the hottest summer event -
only on MSN.
> http://liveearth. <http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthwlm>
msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthwlm
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[brad barton]

Ron, Thanks. I'll make sure the inverters are set for my gels. I have a
traditional RV refrigerator though. I am considering solar in the
long-term..just to keep the batteries from not draining when parked. Brad
Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...


To: WanderlodgeForum@...: aeonix1@...: Mon, 4 Jun 2007
22:09:52 -0500Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries




My coach was received with a set of 3 smaller engine batteries and 6 'house'
batteries in the 4-D size. All were Deka brand AGMs.After a few months -- and a
somewhat less-than-pleasant stay in a state park with no hook-up and a long
'quite time' ... I determined that my AGM batteries had probably been
mishandled.One factor was that the (non-standard) Link 2000 R battery controller
had been reset to "factory default" sometime during the 6 months the coach had
been in various dealer's hands. Unfortunately, the factory default is for
flooded cell batteries and it was overcharging the AGMs -- severely shortening
their life.Since the engine batteries seemed ok, (They're a common size 34 or 37
or some such), I ignored them, but replaced the 6 house batteries with Fullriver
4-D size AGM. These are a deep cycle battery used in the solar industry. I've
reprogramed the Link 2000 R controller to be aware that AGM batteries are in use
and I note that the charge and float voltages are lower -- 12.95 instead of 13.4
with the flooded cell setting.I also discovered the reason for the poor
boondocking performance -- and unfortunately, the batteries are not at the heart
of the problem -- rather the home-type refrigerator draws so much power, that
the batteries can't support that load and other "normal" activities for a very
long time. (I'm exploring other power management techniques to better "survive"
in a boondock situation in the future.)Pete Masterson'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge
WBDA 42aeonix1@... the road at Russell KansasOn Jun 4, 2007, at 9:31 PM,
brad barton wrote:>> Anyone,> It may be a simple case of batteries at the end of
their useable > life, but...> If my coach is not plugged in, my three 4-D
starting batteries and > 6 gel-cell coach batteries drop to between 10.5 and
11.5 volts and > I have to plug in or run the generator for a few minutes just
to > get a start, even tying in the generator batteri.> I thought I might have
left one inverter on by mistake, but when > plugged in, they both switched over
to charge and fully charged the > batteries in a few hours. The meter was pegged
at +300 amps for > some time.> I hope it's something stupid I'm doing rather
than needing to buy a > bunch of new batteries.> Anyone have any experience with
starting or gel-cell batteries from > Costco? Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
bbartonwx@...


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[mariopatti1]

Hi All
Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL

[Fred Hulse]

Mario

Smart move to disconnect the batteries

Safest also.

Fred Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

[freewill2008]

The best storage method I know of is to disconnect the load from the batteries
and connect a small smart charger (or maybe chargers in your case) to the
batteries. The charger(s) can be 120V powered or solar powered - doesn't matter.
Just a very few amps (2-5) and the action of the smart charge controller will
keep your batteries in a condition that will make you smile when you pick up the
rig.

If there is no possibility of 120v or solar input, then disconnect the
batteries, clean the battery tops, blow it dry and pick up the rig as soon as
possible. Its good if the batteries show a full charge (12.8 volts resting)
when you park it.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1" wrote:
>
> Hi All
> Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
> I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
> Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL
>

[gregory O]

For some reason manuals often advise " disconnect the - negative" I can only
assume that the negative has more paths and the positive is better insulated and
safer to leave hooked up????
Greg
94ptca



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1" wrote:
>
> Hi All
> Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
> I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
> Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL
>

[sfedeli3]

Hi Mario,

There are several systems on the coach that continue to receive power even
with the electronic master switch and the switch under the dash off. The best
suggestion that I can give is to disconnect the negative cable on the Genny
battery AND house/starting batteries. We have left ours in storage for up to 2
months disconnected and returned to fully charged batteries (12.8 volts). Just
make sure that you have the batteries fully charged and topped off with
electrolyte before putting them in storage.

Shane Fedeli
85PT40
Hershey, PA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gregory O" wrote:
>
>
> For some reason manuals often advise " disconnect the - negative" I can only
assume that the negative has more paths and the positive is better insulated and
safer to leave hooked up????
> Greg
> 94ptca
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1" wrote:
> >
> > Hi All
> > Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
> > I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
> > Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL
> >
>

[jackcj7]

As long as you "Break The Circuit" does it matter if you lift the Negitive or
Positive side? On my old '73 coach, I use the knife type disconnects on all
batteries, positive side, and open them while in storage.
I have to park the coach in the storage lot, where there is no power avalabe to
keep the batteries topped up. (the old MCAS El Toro , where some 2,600 RVs are
stored).
I use 2 Wallys 930 850 big 12V batteries, and one smaller one for the genny.
What is the problem with one battery smaller than the rest? Will it charge up
ok via the gen?
These are 3 year batteries, and Wally will replace them free if they fail before
that time..


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "sfedeli3" <sfedeli3@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Mario,
>
> There are several systems on the coach that continue to receive power even
with the electronic master switch and the switch under the dash off. The best
suggestion that I can give is to disconnect the negative cable on the Genny
battery AND house/starting batteries. We have left ours in storage for up to 2
months disconnected and returned to fully charged batteries (12.8 volts). Just
make sure that you have the batteries fully charged and topped off with
electrolyte before putting them in storage.
>
> Shane Fedeli
> 85PT40
> Hershey, PA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gregory O" wrote:
> >
> >
> > For some reason manuals often advise " disconnect the - negative" I can only
assume that the negative has more paths and the positive is better insulated and
safer to leave hooked up????
> > Greg
> > 94ptca
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi All
> > > Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
> > > I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
> > > Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL
> > >
> >
>

[Jipjob]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jackcj7" wrote:
>
>
> As long as you "Break The Circuit" does it matter if you lift the Negitive or
Positive side? On my old '73 coach, I use the knife type disconnects on all
batteries, positive side, and open them while in storage.
> I have to park the coach in the storage lot, where there is no power avalabe
to keep the batteries topped up. (the old MCAS El Toro , where some 2,600 RVs
are stored).
> I use 2 Wallys 930 850 big 12V batteries, and one smaller one for the genny.
What is the problem with one battery smaller than the rest? Will it charge up
ok via the gen?
> These are 3 year batteries, and Wally will replace them free if they fail
before that time..
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "sfedeli3" <sfedeli3@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Mario,
> >
> > There are several systems on the coach that continue to receive power even
with the electronic master switch and the switch under the dash off. The best
suggestion that I can give is to disconnect the negative cable on the Genny
battery AND house/starting batteries. We have left ours in storage for up to 2
months disconnected and returned to fully charged batteries (12.8 volts). Just
make sure that you have the batteries fully charged and topped off with
electrolyte before putting them in storage.
> >
> > Shane Fedeli
> > 85PT40
> > Hershey, PA
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "gregory O" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > For some reason manuals often advise " disconnect the - negative" I can
only assume that the negative has more paths and the positive is better
insulated and safer to leave hooked up????
> > > Greg
> > > 94ptca
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mariopatti1"
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi All
> > > > Leaving the BB for a few weeks in storage . I would like to protect the
batteries from going dead . Should I disconnet the cables ?
> > > > I have 4 6v house and 2 6v engine .
> > > > Mario 1985FC35 SOCAL
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
I have also noticed when the batteries are just about at the end of there life
cycle that they use up water at a much higher rate than when new. I make sure I
check my battery's are topped oft about every 30 days or so. I did install new
batterys and have a smart charger but I still double check the water level just
to make sure that battery is not running low. On my smart charger I also put a
wall switch so that I can turn it oft when I feel it not needed.
Jon
1978 Wanderlodge