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Topic: House battery advice (Read 1099 times) previous topic - next topic

House battery advice

Will be leaving for trip from home to Niagara falls and back thru Chicago.Plan on leaving tue morning after replacing 2 start
batteries.
Here is the hitch in the plan,the house batteries are going downhill in a hurry,the charger charges them to 12 plus volts but
they will not start the coach with boost switch,(engine just turns slow).After trying 1 time with boost switch they go to 11 volts.

The new start batteries should take care of starting the coach,am looking at getting the MK/PENN  house batteries but I won't
be able to get them before leaving as we have reservations.Could arrange to get them at Foretravel or in chicago.

The house batteries take a charge but do not hold it for long,we stay at RV parks so do not need batteries much.Would rather
shop for batteries and limp on these.

Would it be OK to limp on the old batteries and replace after trip,looking for ideas?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: House battery advice

Reply #1 –
Can't go wrong with orielys....

I'm at the falls now....WOW what a change to the park... for sure get the multi activity pass 5 things plus free trolly... great deal... and the maiden of the mist was 12 per person 3 years ago.... now 14.. but with that pass you save about 25% ... 45 per person... hard to see it all in 2 days.

Headed to FMCA rally in springfield, ma
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: House battery advice

Reply #2 –
John -

You should be able to order from O'Reilys and pick up at a location that is convenient for you.

We purchased our house batteries while in Idaho and had them delivered to Kalispell, MT on a specific date range.  We picked them up in Kalispell and returned the "old" ones to the shop for credit.

We did the install and removal of the old batteries. 
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: House battery advice

Reply #3 –
I personally wouldn't want to run too far on batteries that are failing I don't have the kind of luck for that to work. My luck I would get some where and have to shut everything off only to have those batteries I knew were weak bite me in the butt. I would arrange to meet the batteries somewhere on the way and some one to help change them
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: House battery advice

Reply #4 –
Will check o'reilys today,have one nearby.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: House battery advice

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John44 –
...they will not start the coach with boost switch,(engine just turns slow).After trying 1 time with boost switch they go to 11 volts.
So, how are you getting the big engine started?

Low house battery voltage can cause voltage sensitive components to act up.  If you keep your generator running while traveling this should not be a problem.  You'll probably need the generator to run the roof air anyway...

What is the condition of your battery and ground cable connections?  Have they been cleaned up recently?  Sometimes, cleaning all the terminals can make a big difference in battery performance.  You will want the cable ends in pristine condition for the new battery install anyway...

Also recommend you have fresh military style battery terminals on hand to install along with new house batteries.

Amazon.com: Crimp Supply Corrosion Resistant Military Spec. Battery Terminal...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: House battery advice

Reply #6 –
Many O'Reilly's stores will install free, ask ahead
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: House battery advice

Reply #7 –
Ask date codes on batteries, get fresh ones....
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: House battery advice

Reply #8 –
Chuck,not getting it started til mon. when new redtops arrive.Will clean terminals today.In the meantime will evaluate which
batteries availible around here.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: House battery advice

Reply #9 –
Keep in mind that an old / worn boost solenoid could be useless in transferring high starting current.  Putting a battery jump starting cable across the boost solenoid could get you started if solenoid is bad ( and house battery is good).

Re: House battery advice

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Keep in mind that an old / worn boost solenoid could be useless in transferring high starting current.  Putting a battery jump starting cable across the boost solenoid could get you started if solenoid is bad ( and house battery is good).

Let me add to what Barry said-- he is absolutely correct.

But BIG CAUTION: You are dealing with huge battery banks.  If either end of the jumper cable touches any metal, you will ARC WELD and were you to do this in the battery compartment (read that some Hydrogen gas) bad things can happen.  Be careful out there!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: House battery advice

Reply #11 –
Took the bolt off the starter to clean the 4 ground cables ,keep in mind it is a 12 point 12mm metric on my 8.3 cummins.A 1/2
will fit but will ruin the bolt.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: House battery advice

Reply #12 –
John44,

Since you have new chassis batteries, you should be able to start your coach using just the chassis batteries if everything is working properly, good starter, batteries being charged by the engine alternator and all the cable connections good.  As the house batteries are weak, do not use the boost switch as then the chassis batteries will be drained by the house batteries.  With weak house batteries you should be ok as long as you are plugged into shore power or running the generator.  When the main engine is running it is charging both the house and chassis.  Weak batteries near the end of their life charge up quickly, maybe 10- 20 minutes, good batteries will take a few hours.  One of your house batteries may have a shorted cell.  If after isolating the batteries and finding that the voltage on one drops lower than the other, leave that battery disconnected.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: House battery advice

Reply #13 –
Thanks to all,love the forum.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: House battery advice

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Keep in mind that an old / worn boost solenoid could be useless in transferring high starting current.  Putting a battery jump starting cable across the boost solenoid could get you started if solenoid is bad ( and house battery is good).
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Keep in mind that an old / worn boost solenoid could be useless in transferring high starting current.  Putting a battery jump starting cable across the boost solenoid could get you started if solenoid is bad ( and house battery is good).

Bingo!
Kevin

Current  1997 U295. Build #5160
Previous 1994 U300
 

Re: House battery advice

Reply #16 –
Got the new red tops,started right up,leave in morning,everything looking good,thanks to all.
Red tops were $147 on amazon,free shipping.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.