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Topic: House Batteries for 1999 U295 (Read 604 times) previous topic - next topic

House Batteries for 1999 U295

Newbie title is pretty accurate for myself.  That being said, i think this is a relatively straight forward question.  The current house batteries need to be replaced as they no longer hold a good charge for more that a couple of days in a stored mode.  Last year they would go 2-3 weeks easily before I would cycle the generator and run a charge on them.  They are the original batteries with a date on them of "J7" which i believe translates into 10/97.  MK Powered is the manufacturer and there are 3 of them.  I have attached a picture.

Any suggestions for replacing them, i.e. better options than the OEM ?  Coach only gets used 2-3 times a year if that has any bearing on the selection.

Appreciate any insight !

Jamie
Jamie Kimble
1999 U295 36'

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #1 –
Jamie,

Two real choices are to stay with gel batteries, or as many of us have done, go to AGM batteries such as Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle AGM Batteries.

The other factor in battery life and performance is that they not be allowed to deeply discharge.

When in storage, do you have access to 120 VAC? Stored outdoors where solar panels could keep both banks charged?

Brett
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 Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #2 –
Maybe a possibility of addition load on the DC side ?, an extra little light bulb will kill them too over a few days :o

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #3 –
16 years on three MK gels I think answered your question.

Only thing my tech expert buddy will use is those.

Bob
"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: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #4 –
16 years on three MK gels I think answered your question.

Only thing my tech expert buddy will use is those.

I replaced my AGM red top start batts in 2012, they were original 1993 batts. Of course the motor home only had 31000 miles. always indoors, plugged in
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #5 –
As others have said, after 16 years of service I might would go back with another set of them. My AGM's are 8 years old and still going, It's all about how you take care of them ,proper charging, and not discharging them below about 12.1V 50% or so.
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: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #6 –
I've done a lot of reading on this subject, and I strongly believe that AGM technology is superior to gel. If I were replacing batteries today, I would go with AGM.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #7 –
I do love the subject of AGM vs Gel Batteries, even the experts can not agree on which is the better one, it all seems to do with useage and number of cycles.
I sure am not an expert, but I do buy a lot of batteries, and our supplier (ex Delco Engineers) do not seem to have a real clear clue as to the BEST, So I keep laughing ;D

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #8 –
I wonder how many people buy expensive house batteries with the best intentions but don't keep the coach plugged in while in storage over winter and have to replace all of them. The most expensive batteries are the worst recovering when they go flat. Just pulling the terminal connectors off will stop the parasitic loss while in storage.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: House Batteries for 1999 U295

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
I wonder how many people buy expensive house batteries with the best intentions but don't keep the coach plugged in while in storage over winter and have to replace all of them. The most expensive batteries are the worst recovering when they go flat. Just pulling the terminal connectors off will stop the parasitic loss while in storage.

Pierce

How true
"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