Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: When to replace gel cells? (Read 769 times) previous topic - next topic

When to replace gel cells?

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.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #1 –
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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #2 –
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #3 –
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.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: folivier –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #5 –
"We gotta sink the Bismark"
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #7 –
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.
Dick & Sue
'99 U320, 36'
2015 F150 4x4 Supercrew
M & G with brakeaway system
Blue Ox Avail 10,000# tow bar
Grosse Ile, Mi.

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #8 –
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.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: When to replace gel cells?

Reply #10 –
Fully charged no load for 24 hours should be 12.85
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4