Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #50 – May 04, 2020, 12:28:10 am Quote from: Caflashbob – May 03, 2020, 11:04:04 pmPierce do you have any data on percentage of capacity left?Pierce's past post shows he is extremely aware of his electronics and his batteries meeting his needs. In previous posts he has stated his six, 11 year old, 68 ah AGMs give him 408ah of capacity, have never been run flat, and are kept between 13.2 to 13.5 volts. His are probably equal to the highest quality AGMs available, and have had the best of care. https://www.osibatteries.com/p-997.aspx?searchEngineName=enersys-genesis-pure-lead-xe70x-0771-6003-battery-68ah-w-metal-jacket&gclid=CjkKEQjwm_2aBRCpivfn94X-o7IBEiQAuhGjMqTN-OVKRmxP4QfXHAQk0Rv3J2OT9PhSsIkUnUx8wIvw_wcB He loves to dry camp, even shuts off his inverter at night to maximize capacity. He has a $700 Midnight Solar 150 controller fed by almost 1200 watts of panels on the roof. He enjoys a lot of dry camping. He understands maintenance and the importance of monitoring batteries. He has stated his microwave runs slow in the morning, possibly indicating weaker batteries, posibly not. However if he is happy having his microwave run slow in the morning, heating his water and food, and uses primarily solar to extend capacity, who is to say he needs new batteries. He also stated he doesn't run his gen often, as he hates the noise and exhaust. He also is still running on the original OEM imodified sine wave nverter from 1993, that he shuts off at night to extend capacity. The original inverter will run a microwave at a reduced capacity compared to a newer pure sign wave inverter.I've seen coaches come in trade that originally had two 8D AGMs, come in with only one. I asked the owner where it went? The owner stated "oh, I pulled the other one out 5 years ago, it shorted out. This Lifeline is only 8 years old, and is all I need." How can you argue with that owner, you cannot. You just say ok, and put in two new Lifelines before it is resold.So what I am saying is, Pierce is very knowledgeable, much more than most, probably knows more about electrical than myself and you combined. His batteries serve him fine. We know if he replaced those batteries with new, and replaced the OEM modified sine wave inverter with a pure sine wave, that his microwave might not run as slow in the morning. If his microwave heats his water or food in the morning, without running the generator, he is happy, who is to say he is not right?I only posted this because I read both of your posts whenever you two post, I enjoy reading both. It is my belief that Pierce enjoys playing devil's advocate for the sake of argument. I too would be proud of using 10 year old AGMs that I had so safely guarded. I also know it will be most unlikely, that either I or you will change his mind. You both, consistently have your point of view, based on your needs and past experience. Please, do not ever change, either of you. You guys are what make this forum great. The combined experience of Pierce, you, and I is awesum. Add the forum members, like Rodger, craneman, Tim, wolf10, John, George, Chuck, PWyatt, Barry, Don, Lon, Juston Cook of Bay Marine, and others, we are colossal.For years I have said, half of what you hear on the web is wrong, including what I say. It is not that I or others lie, it is just that our needs, and our experiences will vary from yours. So.......do your research, read and listen to what others say. Just remember that half of that may be wrong for you. Do your research, make your choices, write the check, it is your money, only you know your needs and budget. Quote Selected 7 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #51 – May 04, 2020, 11:10:45 am Thanks Jack, my fingers are tired thinking about the typing you did in your post. Glad you mentioned some of the bright guys on the forum. Don't forget Ken Hathaway as he is right up at the top. Have to say that I'm envious of the knowledge so many have when I talk to them. You have to have that for a forum like this or run a government, otherwise, chaos results.Microwaves always runs slow on a modified/quasi sine wave inverter. Not just the morning but all the time. They need the 170 volt peaks that pure sine wave gives to run properly. So, even though your AC voltmeter shows 120V at the receptacle, it does not show the waveform. A RMS voltmeter reads "root mean square" an average. That's why unless you have a sine wave inverter, your MW will always run slower.When I bought my first RV, I wondered why the MW was so slow when on inverter juice compared to when I used the generator or plugged into shore power. Here is a good read below from someone that explains much better than I do.https://www.compwest.com/image/catalog/Library/hudhipotpaper.pdfAbout 6 months ago, I received a pure sine wave inverter from China. Have not had time to install it but I thought I would do a comparison test of the OEM inverter against the new SW inverter against shore power and post the results with boiling a half cup of water, etc. Pierce Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #53 – May 04, 2020, 12:25:15 pm Quote from: dans96u295ft – May 04, 2020, 12:17:40 pmI need a margarita!!!! I'll take one as well. I had no idea that I had to have a lab coat on, Aluminum clipboard in hand and a scientific degree to "go camping" It's all good though. Do what works for you and what you can afford. Quote Selected 5 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #54 – May 04, 2020, 01:04:39 pm Quote from: bigdog – May 04, 2020, 12:25:15 pmI'll take one as well. I had no idea that I had to have a lab coat on, Aluminum clipboard in hand and a scientific degree to "go camping" It's all good though. Do what works for you and what you can afford.I like your "Do what works for you and what you can afford." I always try to do the best for the least expense and without re-inventing the wheel. It's not necessarily what you can afford but what you budget for your projects. Some, with fewer hobbies, just pull out the CC. Others, for one reason or another, are looking for more economy but not poor quality in solar, filters, batteries, etc and how to find these items at the best possible prices.I don't think Jack L or I meant to ruffle feathers here. It's just everyone has their strengths, some of us have been in the trenches for much of our lives and didn't try to make the transition from a big desk to a RV DIY person. Anyone remember Gil Stratton's famous saying?Save the margaritas for tomorrow, Cinco de Mayo! Can't wait for the border to open again.Pierce Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #55 – May 04, 2020, 01:26:12 pm Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – May 04, 2020, 01:04:39 pmI don't think Jack L or I meant to ruffle feathers here. No ruffling going on at all. And that goes for my musings as well. I'm always curious and one to ask why? Esp as I'm new(ish) to this RV thing. So I actually find it interesting and informative in the why of folks spending cb's and lots of labor to not use the Genset. Are folks worried about wearing it out? If one is boondocking, Noise shouldn't be the main issue. Should it? Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #56 – May 04, 2020, 02:09:51 pm Oh well. Not unexpected. I have contributed to a large brand specific/ model specific motorcycle board for almost 20 years. The riders/owners posted "it still runs ok" then ask carb jetting questions.I explained that the only way to correctly answer their questions was to have them run a $50 leakdown test to show how much wear and poor sealing that results from it had occurred to their motor so I could advise them more correctly on the carb brass parts needed.The solar panel use for a lot of owners here lessens the non full recharge effects that can damage AGM and flooded cell batteries.We want/need as close to 100% capacity as possible for our partial prepper needs here in shaky town in southern Kalifornia.Where we live and have the coach in a real emergency there is no way out of here for an extended period.Very few here have a need/want like us it seems. Good for them.We assume no power. No water. No exit. I think if most of you HAD to have known good equipment in an emergency you would test your setup every so often and maybe upgrade your setup for the longest life and most reliability. Maybe or maybe not. I used to work on airplanes and everything on and in them was proactively checked and/or replaced.So for us being proactive and needing for sure condition the $150 worth of test equipment seemed reasonable.My guru buddy mentioned to me at the time he installed a Xantrex power pro gauge that almost all the owners set the gauge to show the percentage screen and has little or no interest in the charge rates or discharge rates or settings or condition unless they had not enough power.A few of the motorcycle boards riders caught on about the test for condition altering the jetting and noticed the much crisper running better starting and gas mileage range that resulted.Most just wanted to go riding.Regular testing each year can result in less on the road problems in my experience.Like I mentioned once or twice before I came from the 1980's in the rv biz. Flooded cells. Hydrometer battery checks. Over charging from near single stage chargers, damaged cabling from the acid fumes. Old habits are harder to break I guess.The bad thing for me I guess is once I learned exactly what I am supposed to see from amp hours used versus battery voltage it's hard not to notice any major variations. Maybe better not to know?Too important here where we would be basically locked in after a emergency.I am just a rv nerd. Setup hundreds of customers personally for the best rv experience long ago.The money was pennies compared to late model high line coaches.I agree on solar as I was the first dealer to install a small solar panel on every coach sold starting in 1987. 32 wattsWe were skiers and remote area dirt bike dry campers and needed new condition systems and batteries.No pedestal to pedestal. No large solar. Propane gens that used a gallon an hour with a 58 gallon tank. Times change and so does the setups available.Good luck to all here. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #57 – May 04, 2020, 02:39:09 pm BigDog,Noise is the huge issue to me. Both Gaylie and I have tinnitus and much noise drives us crazy. The vibration also is very annoying. I also don't like the smell. I love to step out of the coach in the morning to silence. Night around the bad carbon footprint campfire is ruined if I can hear a generator. Laughing children is great, even a boombox playing Salsa at a distance is good, just no generator. Check our member location map. Only one neighbor and I'm going to shoot out his sodium vapor nightlight!Everything is going electric, cars, trucks, even small planes are starting to look that direction. Everywhere you look, skate boards are electrics, bicycles to with shopping baskets on the back. You probably have read about California's PG&Es scandal. I've despised this company since we moved up here back in 1987. Now blackouts with no juice for days on top of Death Valley heat, no fire insurance, virus, etc are driving everyone crazy. With the cheap prices on solar panels now, going off the grid is my next wish, perhaps in the next life.As somewhat of an expat here, I love European campgrounds with only a few Eurospec generators but mostly quiet. After 2 pm on Saturday, you can't run a lawnmower in Germany until Monday. As far as experts go, anyone who has been to Mexico/Canada is an expert, Glenn, Twig, John, Brett, Dan, etc. The more recent, the better. Been to Yellowstone lately? Expert. How about a good restaurant or campgound on I-40? Expert! To me, that's who I listen to and have my writing paper out to jot down the info. But, a big bank balance and high limit CC alone is not a qualifier. So no, you don't need a white coat to be a positive addition to the forum. Just some first hand experience without any "wives' tales" added in.Bob, That's exactly why I have the twin voltmeters on the dash and the Pro-Link 9000 to watch the engine operation, efficiency. I can tell well ahead of time if something is about to go south. (not SoCal ) Driving with Michelins, you must have AAA and CoachNet on constant standby. Just kidding Bob, no harm intended. Enjoy Cinco de Mayo with Pati Jinich's guac receipe:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Rl1Zo8ScgPierce Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #58 – May 04, 2020, 08:39:49 pm My O'Reilly AGM's were down 30% after 5 years when I replaced them. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #59 – May 04, 2020, 08:43:31 pm Thanks Brett. About what I expected.As far as the Michelin's "you pay for everyone of your pleasures. "And if you did not pay as much it probably was not as much fun, was it?"Every unicoach made had Michelin's Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #60 – May 04, 2020, 08:50:32 pm Quote from: amos.harrison – May 04, 2020, 08:39:49 pmMy O'Reilly AGM's were down 30% after 5 years when I replaced them.How did you measure, down 30%? Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #61 – May 04, 2020, 09:28:40 pm WHERE did tires come from, in a battery discussion.!!!! Hope we don't go down the tire and wheel bearing road again.😬 Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #62 – May 04, 2020, 11:55:38 pm Quote from: bbeane – May 04, 2020, 09:28:40 pmWHERE did tires come from, in a battery discussion.!!!! Hope we don't go down the tire and wheel bearing road again.😬We could do the big wheels rolling song, But with Roman numerals. But yes. Should be in another thread. Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #63 – May 05, 2020, 12:15:57 am Rv'ers are notoriously frugal. Really? In my enlightened self interest for maximizing my profit for the company I learned not to cut corners refitting nice coaches for resale.That way I could walk a customer over from a new coach to a late model used with the same tires, batteries and furniture.alot easier switch. Different idea versus something that just works. If I were to sell ours it would have the full auto start with temp control added in.Just like the newer coaches the buyer might have already looked at.Way easier to buy a coach already done for most buyers. Ready to go Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #64 – May 05, 2020, 10:10:15 am Bob can you get a temperature control for the generator. In the cold I cycle the start so the glow plugs will be on later. Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #65 – May 05, 2020, 10:53:46 am Temp control? For the auto start? Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #66 – May 05, 2020, 11:33:03 am [quote aIf I were to sell ours it would have the full auto start with temp control added in.I saw this where you said temp control add in so I thought maybe the temp control could be an upgrade. Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #67 – May 05, 2020, 11:54:01 am Yes you can. Magnum makes a stand alone ME-AGS and a much more comprehensive unit that is designed to interface with the ME-ARC remote control panel.The N(networked) version I know comes with a 60' remote thermostat to install in the coach.My understanding is that if you change to a 10 button ac control panel and change the roof air conditioners circuit boards that the auto gen start can work from both battery state of charge and either hot or cold temps at any of the systems sensors.Quite comprehensive with gen exercise timing, gen run hours, auto gen retries....System can have a WiFi capable system report added to the Magnum inverter/controlIf you do not have a magnum system the stand along has some if not all of the networked ones features. Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #68 – May 05, 2020, 12:02:37 pm Quote from: oldguy – May 05, 2020, 10:10:15 amBob can you get a temperature control for the generator. In the cold I cycle the start so the glow plugs will be on later. If you're asking whether the Magnum AGS system will automatically change the generator glow plug warmup time based on temperature....longer pre-heat in colder weather, etc....no, the pre-heat is user selectable but not determined by temperature. You can manually change the setting in the winter or summer though. It will, however, start the generator to run your AC units based on the air temperature inside the coach as Caflashbob described. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #69 – May 05, 2020, 12:32:26 pm Yes not auto temp adjustable. I think the later gens in a box may have that adjustment in their system?The auto gen start can retry up to 4 times. I think the gen preheat time is adjustable in the ME-ARC menu.Default is 25 seconds but is adjustable up to 120? seconds I am not aware of any damage for slightly long glow plug actuation so maybe turn the time up to what is needed for winter start?Good question Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #70 – May 05, 2020, 01:21:55 pm My rig came with a Magnum inverter which I installed but I haven't hooked up the auto gen start. I haven't used the auto gen start since I got the rig home. I have only used the push button to start it and in the cold I wait 9 seconds push the button and then push it again and it starts fine. I will look into changing the start time to 20 seconds in the winter. That would be a greatoption. The Onan that I had before would time the glow plugs according to temp. Quote Selected
Re: O'Reilly batteries Reply #71 – May 05, 2020, 02:13:51 pm Glow longer at high altitude and low temps.Pierce Quote Selected
Topic: O'Reilly batteries