Changing Starting Batteries

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Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

May 18, 2015, 04:16:50 pm

I finally heard a groan as my 14 year old original Optima Yellow-Top starting batteries tried to turn over the engine without a boost. Getting ready to depart for a summer trip, I ordered 3 more Yellow-Tops. (I'm not one to mess with success, and the old batteries have lived most of those years in the heat of AZ, so I went for the overkill of yellow-tops.) Amazon sent me 2 from California and one from Indiana. Go figure. Two came on one truck and the third left the local terminal 45 minutes later, so is on another truck.

So. My question is this: Is there anything I need to be careful of as I change them out? I figure that I will unplug the coach from shore power and turn off the Prosine 2.0 charger...there is also a Trick-l-start connected. I may also need to disconnect the Trick-L-Start??? With all the electronics contained in the engine and transmission, I don't know if leaving the circuit open for a while (while I make sure the terminals are nice and cleaned) will require any other caution.

I am probably concerned for nothing...and it is probably just like changing a car battery or the house batteries, but it never hurts to ask. Thanks...

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #1 – May 18, 2015, 04:35:27 pm

I would also turn off the boost switch.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #2 – May 18, 2015, 04:38:16 pm

Quote from: ltg – May 18, 2015, 04:35:27 pm

I would also turn off the boost switch.

That much I figured out. I leave the boost off...since I bought the Trick-l-start in about 2006.

The third battery just arrived. 2 via UPS, 1 via Fedex. Go figure. I think I'll start taking tho old out one at a time, then before removing the last one, I'll come back and check here.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #3 – May 18, 2015, 04:48:00 pm

Should have no problems just doing the usual way and I am sure you know the order that the cables are removed and replaced.
JohnH

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #4 – May 18, 2015, 04:53:23 pm

Your trickle start outlasted 3 I tried.
Gave up and went battery minder 1500

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #5 – May 18, 2015, 05:11:26 pm

Just came back in to check. Looks like they ran the batteries across each other (I'm sure that is the best way)...positive cable to the curbside battery, negtive to the innermost battery. So I can't just remove one from the circuit at a time. Also, I found the old Yellow tops say 550 CCA and the new ones say 750 CCA! Two of the negative terminals appear to be coming loose from the batteries. Guess that was just too long. Is NAPA a good source for cables if I need to replace any of them?

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #6 – May 18, 2015, 06:50:53 pm

All's well. One battery had the negative terminal "rotted" off, and one had a somewhat loose negative post. All out, new ones in place, engine started nicely. Now I just need to paint the blue goop on it... Thanks!

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #7 – May 18, 2015, 08:47:16 pm

Charge each battery separately prior to installation. Smart charger. Test for resting voltage after sitting 24 hours off the ground. Just so you KNOW they are the same and all three equal.....

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #8 – May 18, 2015, 09:06:29 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – May 18, 2015, 08:47:16 pm

Charge each battery separately prior to installation. Smart charger. Test for resting voltage after sitting 24 hours off the ground. Just so you KNOW they are the same and all three equal.....

Thanks, Bob....but they are in place already. Sounds like that would have been a good idea.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #9 – May 19, 2015, 12:45:20 am

Amazing they lasted that long. I hope my 2 yellow tops last that long.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #10 – May 19, 2015, 12:50:49 am

Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker – May 19, 2015, 12:45:20 am

Amazing they lasted that long. I hope my 2 yellow tops last that long.

One had its post completely rotted off...and still measured 12.8 volts. The middle battery was 11.8 volts, and the outer battery was somtething like 13.1 after I took them out. Amazing to me, but they are going to scrap now. I doubt here was much capacity left.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #11 – May 19, 2015, 01:22:29 am

Its called a Series Parallel Connection. It increases Voltage and Amperage.
A Series connection, Positive to Negative increases Voltage. (2 x 12 v Bty's in series will provide 24 volts)
A Parallel connection Positive to Positive, Negative to Negative increases Amperage, (2 x 75 A Bty's in Parallel will give 150 amps.
Or easier to remember is a Series Parallel connection increases voltage and amperage.

On a series parallel connection you will be left with one positive and one negative terminal to connect to your equipment.

In your search engine type "Series Parallel Battery Connection" it will provide links to diagrams to help you. And don't forget to use none graphite grease.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #12 – May 19, 2015, 08:17:14 am

Quote from: harrisgj – May 19, 2015, 01:22:29 am

Its called a Series Parallel Connection. It increases Voltage and Amperage.
A Series connection, Positive to Negative increases Voltage. (2 x 12 v Bty's in series will provide 24 volts)
A Parallel connection Positive to Positive, Negative to Negative increases Amperage, (2 x 75 A Bty's in Parallel will give 150 amps.

But why would you want a 24 volt start battery system??
You would use a series parallel connection if you used 6volt golf cart batteries.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #13 – May 19, 2015, 09:06:54 am

With all due respect that is incorrect there are a great deal of situations where a higher Voltage and Amperage are required.
Depending on the required power supply and the space available will depend on what type of battery and connections are used.
The weight and size of a Battery is often the reason series parallel connections are used, as in the case of your Golf Cart. However there is no set rule a Golf Cart should use 6 volt batteries, 12 volt Batteries are just as good if available.
If you just want to increase cranking Amps to help starting then a Parallel connection would be used.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #14 – May 19, 2015, 09:18:32 am

I think Elliott's point is that in the vast majority of motorhomes both house and engine systems are 12 VDC.

So, you would series connect 6 VDC batteries, but only parallel connect 12 VDC batteries.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #15 – May 19, 2015, 10:41:41 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 19, 2015, 09:18:32 am

I think Elliott's point is that in the vast majority of motorhomes both house and engine systems are 12 VDC.

So, you would series connect 6 VDC batteries, but only parallel connect 12 VDC batteries.

Yes. Clearly, my 3 12 volt batteries are in parallel. Then rather than cabling at one battery, the positive feed comes from battery 1 while the negative lead comes from battery 3. No series-parallel here.

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #16 – May 25, 2015, 11:44:22 pm

Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter – May 18, 2015, 04:16:50 pm

I finally heard a groan as my 14 year old original Optima Yellow-Top starting batteries tried to turn over the engine without a boost.

Brad - What model yellow-tops did you purchase? I'm like you... 13 years is long enough and I cannot start without the boost on.

As a side note I sent a copy of the label off the top of one of my OEM Yellow tops stating 1400 cranking amps and received the reply that they never made one. Mind you, I sent a copy of the original label from one of the batteries.

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Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

May 18, 2015, 04:16:50 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #1 – May 18, 2015, 04:35:27 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #2 – May 18, 2015, 04:38:16 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #3 – May 18, 2015, 04:48:00 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #4 – May 18, 2015, 04:53:23 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #5 – May 18, 2015, 05:11:26 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #6 – May 18, 2015, 06:50:53 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #7 – May 18, 2015, 08:47:16 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #8 – May 18, 2015, 09:06:29 pm

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #9 – May 19, 2015, 12:45:20 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #10 – May 19, 2015, 12:50:49 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #11 – May 19, 2015, 01:22:29 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #12 – May 19, 2015, 08:17:14 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #13 – May 19, 2015, 09:06:54 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #14 – May 19, 2015, 09:18:32 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #15 – May 19, 2015, 10:41:41 am

Re: Changing Starting Batteries - Any issues?

Reply #16 – May 25, 2015, 11:44:22 pm

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