Mike, my coach batteries are very difficult to access (2018 LTV Unity on MB chassis). Is it sufficient to rely on the control panel which informs you of the voltage. Thanks. Really appreciate your input.
If these are Flooded Lead Acid batteries then you need to occasionally get a look at the water/electrolyte level. What exactly are your house batteries?
I have a friend who purchased an RV lot to park his 5th wheel at for snowbird use. No more traveling, just parked it. After about 3 years it caught on fire and they barely got out alive. I later asked him when was the last time he checked the water in the battery's. He just gave me a confused look and said never...
I replaced my house batteries with LiFePO4 batteries several years ago so water levels are not an issue for them But- My chassis batteries are SLA. They are only charged from the alternator when the engine is running but when in storage they are connected to a 25 watt 12 vdc solar panel and when parked with hook ups for more than two weeks I will use a 4A digital charger plugged into the I/C to keep then charged. These batteries have no way to access the cells. Since water can not be added is this approach detrimental to the batteries?
Mike, I have this question as well. My chassis (starter) batteries are maintenance free, while the house batteries are Interstate deep cycle hybrid, I think. And the way they cabled them, it's really hard to get the caps off :(
However, what about maintenance-free (sealed) batteries? There is no way for the owner to open the battery without destroying the reservoir cover and voiding the warranty.
Thanks to theft in our neighborhood I store my batts in the garage over winter. Thank you, thieves, for helping me care for them!
I believe they are (2) AGM 6 Volt batteries.
Mike, my coach batteries are very difficult to access (2018 LTV Unity on MB chassis). Is it sufficient to rely on the control panel which informs you of the voltage. Thanks. Really appreciate your input.
If these are Flooded Lead Acid batteries then you need to occasionally get a look at the water/electrolyte level. What exactly are your house batteries?
I have a friend who purchased an RV lot to park his 5th wheel at for snowbird use. No more traveling, just parked it. After about 3 years it caught on fire and they barely got out alive. I later asked him when was the last time he checked the water in the battery's. He just gave me a confused look and said never...
Same thing happened to this guy. Plus, word is that he didn’t have an operational smoke detector. He’s lucky to have not died in a fire.
I replaced my house batteries with LiFePO4 batteries several years ago so water levels are not an issue for them But- My chassis batteries are SLA. They are only charged from the alternator when the engine is running but when in storage they are connected to a 25 watt 12 vdc solar panel and when parked with hook ups for more than two weeks I will use a 4A digital charger plugged into the I/C to keep then charged. These batteries have no way to access the cells. Since water can not be added is this approach detrimental to the batteries?
Mike, I have this question as well. My chassis (starter) batteries are maintenance free, while the house batteries are Interstate deep cycle hybrid, I think. And the way they cabled them, it's really hard to get the caps off :(
Mike,
Awesome stuff.
However, what about maintenance-free (sealed) batteries? There is no way for the owner to open the battery without destroying the reservoir cover and voiding the warranty.
I have had these type of batteries boil over.
Thanks for the articles.
Steve Horrocks