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09-02-2006, 08:10 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Dumb Question
I am embarassed to admit that I just realized that I have never checked my batteries on my 5er...after three years. Check them and not comes the dumb question. I am familiar with batteries that you can add distilled water to when the plates become exposed, however, all the batteries I have seen like this have vertical plates. When I checked my batteries, a marine-rv deep cycle battery, the plate was exposed yet it was horizontal. I am getting some distilled water tomorrow to fill the battery up, however, is this necessary. Are the plates placed differently because it is either a marine-rv battery or a deep cylce battery? Just thought I would find out. Looks like I will need to buy a battery test, hydrometer or take it in and have the battery checked. I have not noticed any performance problems. This is now on my monthly maintenance list. Thanks for the info.
Mike
F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL
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09-02-2006, 11:16 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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One thing you NEVER do is wait for the plates to become exposed. The plates need to be covered at all times to prevent sulfation and reduce the possibility of an internal battery explosion. What I believe you are actually seeing is the sulfated plates and you can add all the distilled water you want but your battery is on it's last legs. I would suggest taking it to a "reputable and knowledgeable" dealer and have it checked. In all probability he will recommend a new battery.
It is a good practice to check the water level at least monthly but just to be on the safe side I check mine every 2 to 3 weeks. I would only use distilled, deionized or demineralized water. In an emergency, you can use rain water. Do not use tap water or water from residential Reverse Osmosis systems to refill batteries because the water could contain chlorine, calcium or magnesium and produce chlorine gas or calcium or magnesium sulfate crystals. These crystals can gradually fill the pores or coat the plates which will reduce the battery's capacity and cause premature failure.
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09-03-2006, 02:19 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,568
M.O.C. #4890
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Since I bought the little IQ4 thing I only have to add a wee bit of distilled water every 3 months or so and my Montana is plugged into shore power 24/7.
Like usual Glenn has the right info for us. Thanks Glenn.
Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL 
click on the little pic to see a big pic
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09-03-2006, 11:27 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: sioux falls
Posts: 1,835
M.O.C. #2121
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Mike, Bob agrees with Glenn. He says he has never seen horizontal plates in any battery and you are probably looking at crusted over plates. You are probably looking a getting a new battery. Hope this helps.
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09-03-2006, 12:18 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Wrenchtraveller
Since I bought the little IQ4 thing I only have to add a wee bit of distilled water every 3 months or so and my Montana is plugged into shore power 24/7.
Like usual Glenn has the right info for us. Thanks Glenn.
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Thank you Don. I pointed out in those tire threads that I was a partner in a tire business. That name again was Adams Tire and "Battery" Service.
Every now and again a persons past can become very beneficial.
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09-03-2006, 01:38 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Re the tire issue..I being a expert in nothing, in fact the older I get the more I realize how little I know. I decided to take the advice of my tire guy and a former tire guy one this forum and reduce the tire pressure from the rated max 80 psi to 65 PSI.. I figured that saying..well I have been running them at max PSI for years and never had a problem.,was not very good logic.
Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.
F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box
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09-03-2006, 04:00 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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How much is an IQ4? I saw a "smart" charger (not IQ) on sale in Kmart for $27 the other day. Almost bought it, but wanted to check here first.
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09-03-2006, 07:46 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bob n pam
Mike, Bob agrees with Glenn. He says he has never seen horizontal plates in any battery and you are probably looking at crusted over plates. You are probably looking a getting a new battery. Hope this helps.
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The "plate" was black and it had an initial stamped on it. Strangest thing I have ever seen. It is more difficult finding distilled water than I thought. Been to a couple of places to no avail. I will let you know what happens when I have the battery checked.
Mike
F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL
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09-04-2006, 02:07 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Haldimand County
Posts: 2,413
M.O.C. #122
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You can usually find distilled water along with the other water in supermarkets.
What kind of battery do you have? It does sound strange, plates are vertical because gas has to bubble up between them to escape.
OntMont (John and Donna)
2005 Montana 3670RL
2007 Silverado "Classic" 3500 DRW 4x4 CC D/A.
2001 Border Collie to ride herd on us.
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09-04-2006, 02:19 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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[quote] Originally posted by dsprik
How much is an IQ4? I saw a "smart" charger (not IQ) on sale in Kmart for $27 the other day. Almost bought it, but wanted to check here first.
Dave,
I don't think it would interface with our converters, I would stick with the built in charger and IQ Module from Iota, you have a 55 amp, (If) your unit is similar to mine.
Go to www.iotaengineering.com/iq_spec.htm for more information
Ozz
'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock
  
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09-04-2006, 02:34 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Ditto on the distilled water,in with gallons of drinking water at the super market, walleyworld carries too. Have been able to purchase just about every where, good thing, the yorks drink it (per the vet). Only time we seem to have trouble getting it is after a storm and power outages.
Carol
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09-04-2006, 05:02 PM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 50
M.O.C. #2227
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When I do check water in a battery, I am more concerned if the water level is the same in each cell. If the level is the same, I may add water to it, but if one cell is low and the others aren't, you may as well junk the battery. And if you have two batteries, replace them both at the same time.
Jim and Marcia
Southeast Iowa
2005 3295RK
2006 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab, Diesel, 6 speed Allison Automatic, Line-X, PullRite Super Glide Hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
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09-04-2006, 05:35 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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[quote]quote: Originally posted by Ozz
Quote:
Originally posted by dsprik
How much is an IQ4? I saw a "smart" charger (not IQ) on sale in Kmart for $27 the other day. Almost bought it, but wanted to check here first.
Dave,
I don't think it would interface with our converters, I would stick with the built in charger and IQ Module from Iota, you have a 55 amp, (If) your unit is similar to mine.
Go to www.iotaengineering.com/iq_spec.htm for more information
Ozz
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Thanks, Ozz. I thought it be a great buy, but you know what they say about something that sounds too good to be true...
Just checked my water level 2 days ago. We have been plugged into shore power for almost seven straight weeks. Looks good so far. But I will start checking every 4 weeks now...
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09-04-2006, 07:39 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Jim and Marcia
When I do check water in a battery, I am more concerned if the water level is the same in each cell. If the level is the same, I may add water to it, but if one cell is low and the others aren't, you may as well junk the battery. And if you have two batteries, replace them both at the same time.
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I found some distilled water and filled the cells using a turkey baster so that I would not have an overfill situation. The baster was had a graduated fill tube and each cell seemed to take the same amount of water. I still have to make sure the batteries are charged and then check them out. I forget the current brand of the batteries. Since this battery had fillable cells, it wouldn't be a gel type battery would it. I checked again when I filled the water and there was definitely an initial stamped in the horizontal black plate that I could see. Hmmm. Mystery.
Mike
F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL
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09-10-2006, 08:19 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by OntMont
What kind of battery do you have? It does sound strange, plates are vertical because gas has to bubble up between them to escape.
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They are Interstate batteries.
If I should have to buy two new batteries, I have been reading that it may be a good idea to change to golf batteries. What say you? If I do, do I get four or just two like no? Would the be the L16? I understand they should be hooked up in series? Anybody have golf batteries that could post a picture...would want to make sure I don't mess up the hookup.
Mike
F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL
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09-11-2006, 02:39 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by MAMalody
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by OntMont
What kind of battery do you have? It does sound strange, plates are vertical because gas has to bubble up between them to escape.
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They are Interstate batteries.
If I should have to buy two new batteries, I have been reading that it may be a good idea to change to golf batteries. What say you? If I do, do I get four or just two like no? Would the be the L16? I understand they should be hooked up in series? Anybody have golf batteries that could post a picture...would want to make sure I don't mess up the hookup.
Mike
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Hi Mike, here's what you need:
4 G.C.Batteries; http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/b6ed28bd.jpg Well, maybe overkill. 
Here is the link to show how the hook up goes:The 12 Volt side of life part 1; http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
I have Two Golf cart batteries, one of the good things is that if you get a bad one, you can just stop at Sam's club and replace it.
The have great reserve power and the converter you have is fine for the charging.
Ozz
'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock
  
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09-11-2006, 07:31 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Thanks for the info.
Mike
F350 7.3L LB SRW
2003 3575RL
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09-12-2006, 03:58 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Haldimand County
Posts: 2,413
M.O.C. #122
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Batteries have been discussed a great deal on this forum. One theread that you might find helpful is this one http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=13546
I have the same set-up as Padredw, and I am finding it very good for our needs which include occasional extended weekends of boondocking and sometimes overnight stops in cold conditions that require extensive use of the furnace.
Hope you find this helpful, ....and by the way, there are no "stupid questions" here.
OntMont (John and Donna)
2005 Montana 3670RL
2007 Silverado "Classic" 3500 DRW 4x4 CC D/A.
2001 Border Collie to ride herd on us.
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09-21-2006, 07:22 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pasco
Posts: 986
M.O.C. #5972
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Hey! Guess what! I just had my batteries tested by the dealer and they are not bad. They tested out A-OK! Did I dodge a bullet or what?
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Linear Mode
