This summer I determined that my 3 8D gels are dated 2005. But the darn things seem to still hold a good charge and while testing with the electric power turned off at 6pm until 7am I used an average of 100Ah, watched tv for 4 hours and ran the aquahot heater on diesel in the morning, made a pot of coffee, and the voltage at 7am was 12.56 with a SOC of 73% (as reported by the BMV-712).
So they appear to still hold a good charge, obviously the PO did a great job of maintaining them. But next spring we're going to Alaska and I don't want to take a chance of having them going bad on that trip.
So what do yall think? I'm leaning towards replacing them before the trip, but if we didn't have Alaska planned for next year then I probably would keep them longer just to see how long they would last.
I'll do more day/night testing if we ever get any dry cool weather here in Louisiana.
I'm like you, if I where not heading to Alaska l would leave them alone. But should you have to change them up there it would be big bucks. You may also have trouble finding what you want.
You KNOW what the answer is: 2005 batteries? Everyone has gotten their money out of them, they've served you well, bite the bullet, replace them before the trip north; you'd sure feel like a HA if they failed on the Alcan! ^.^d
Yeah, I do plan to replace them this winter. I'm just amazed at how long these have lasted. Wish I had a use for them somewhere else. Don't think they'll fit in the Jeep....
I still can't figure out why on other forums gels are so disliked.
You answered your own question. The P.O. maintained them well so they are still good. Gels don't like being discharged and may not recover from a lapse in maintenance. A lot of owners just don't stay on top of it or lose power with the coach in storage. Expensive mistake.
Think I would test them before the trip and if good, use them on your trip. If they test good, they are not likely to fail on a trip right after that. What did Johnny Horton say in his song?
Pierce
"We gotta sink the Bismark"
Had not thought about that as we "hot tub Californians" don't do violent themes. ;)
P
As far as I can tell, our 8D's are original. Built date of our coach was 6-98. We brought our '99 U320 in Sept, 05 and haven't had any problems. We keep her plugged in at all times, so that may have helped.
Mk/east penn batteries were oem. Why no gels? Incorrect charging voltage and float will hurt them. Oh,they are more money.
No equalizing ever. Double cycle life
If I looked at another coach to purchase I would discount that units price $2k for new gels. Better if they do not have gels. That way I would start out with known good batteries.
12.56 after that number of amp hours sounds very good condition to me.
Not too shabby, our four AGMs (coach/house) are sitting at 13.4 right now. ^.^d
Fully charged no load for 24 hours should be 12.85