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Topic: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage (Read 276 times) previous topic - next topic

Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Now with the weather in the low 30s, I'm noticing longer cranking times but also noticing my voltage drops into the 8s upon cranking. I have three interstate 34s and am thinking they may be going out. I'm trying to find a date code as I was told they were newer when I bought the coach in April.

Does anyone have these batteries and can explain the date code? Google isn't much help as I can't find a stamped code on the batteries. Only the sticker with 1-9 and Jan-Dec. 1, 2 and Oc seem to be scratched off. Maybe I need to clean them off to get a better looked. 😄
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Reply #1 –
Looking at your picture I would think maybe 21 year in October. Phone a Interstate dealer
and ask how they do their battery sold date.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Reply #2 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Looking at your picture I would think maybe 21 year in October. Phone a Interstate dealer
and ask how they do their battery sold date.

Once I get into Vegas, I will likely stop by the interstate store and have them load checked and all that. Here's to hoping they are only a year old and not Oct 2012 (They don't look 10 years old when cleaned up). The starter was replaced in April, so maybe the batteries were drained a little too much prior to April.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Reply #3 –
I bought an Interstate battery from a late wreck for our car (actually our wood splitter) and when it would not charge up quickly, I took it to the closest Interstate dealer to us...in Sacramento, 60 miles away. They would give us a new battery if it failed there test but it took 24 hours to test/recondition it and it was Friday so we had to wait until Monday and drive 120 miles RT to pick it up. It's worked fine after that.

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

Re: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Zach –
Maybe I need to clean them off to get a better looked. 😄
Couldn't hurt to clean up the battery cable end connectors and the battery posts.  A clean, tight connection is what you want.

Until you get the problem sorted, I'd suggest using your boost switch when starting.  It is hard on the starter motor having to crank the engine when battery voltage dips that low.  The lower the voltage goes, the more amps the starter motor has to draw.  High amp draw makes things get hot...don't want to let any magic smoke escape.

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: Interstate starting batteries dropping voltage

Reply #5 –
I had low voltage during start up and used the boost switch and then it started fine. So I bought
new batteries, same problem and then the starter quit. New starter and it starts fine, so the batteries
wasn't the problem.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport