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02-20-2021, 11:24 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,283
M.O.C. #26190
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Check those batteries
It's probably been said many a time to keep an eye on your batteries. I noticed my slides were slowing down when not hooked up, or just putting my front jacks down. Pulled both batteries for the first time since getting our trailer in May 2020. They are Super Start Marine deep cycle batteries, bought 01/20. Pulled the caps off and both batteries were dry to the bone. Refilled them and put them on a charge. Hopefully they were not damaged.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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02-20-2021, 12:46 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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That's one of the reasons I spend the money for AGM batteries.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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02-20-2021, 03:07 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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Before I switched to AGM, I would check my 4 batteries twice a year, in the Fall before heading South and Spring before heading back North. Always needed to add some water, BUT never had the Plates not still covered with water.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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02-20-2021, 10:59 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,283
M.O.C. #26190
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What AGM batteries you guys/gals using?
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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02-21-2021, 06:38 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Willis
Posts: 896
M.O.C. #20587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhs4771
Before I switched to AGM, I would check my 4 batteries twice a year, in the Fall before heading South and Spring before heading back North. Always needed to add some water, BUT never had the Plates not still covered with water.
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That's interesting. And I had heard to check them monthly which I did for the first year. Our 5r spends 10 months/year under the RV cover at home connected to shore power. After finding that the factory installed pair were never low on water, I extended the check time to every 6 months. To this day (1207 days total) our pair of no-name marine deep cycle/starting have used no water that I can detect. The voltage when on shore power reads 13.3 whenever I look. Lower after running 6 hours with reefer on inverter but never so low that they have trouble leveling 5r. I'll most likely replace them in November this year (4 years old) with AGM type or possibly a pair of 6 volt cart batteries.
__________________
2018 Montana 3791RD (SOLD)
2017 Ram 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins Aisin, B&W RVK3600 (SOLD)
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02-21-2021, 07:23 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,732
M.O.C. #5751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
That's one of the reasons I spend the money for AGM batteries.
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Same here, expensive but well worth it.
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02-21-2021, 07:50 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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I went from 4 12V Flooded to 4 6V Trojan T105 AGM. Not cheap, but now I don't have to crawl into the battery compartment to see those 2 rear batteries.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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02-21-2021, 10:38 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,283
M.O.C. #26190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhs4771
I went from 4 12V Flooded to 4 6V Trojan T105 AGM. Not cheap, but now I don't have to crawl into the battery compartment to see those 2 rear batteries.
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Michelle & Ann, one of my friend's father was a sales rep for Trojan batteries, and I ran those in a golf cart I owned many years ago. Good quality batteries. I'm seriously considering just switching mine out to the sealed batteries. I'm going to take mine into Autozone tomorrow and have them load tested. After charging, they were both reading 13.5-13.6 volts, but just sitting after a week they are down to 12.5 volts. I think they could be shot. Do all 4 of your 6 volt batteries fit on the driver's side of your front storage compartment? Are they covered?
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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02-21-2021, 01:15 PM
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#9
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Tustin Calif
Posts: 76
M.O.C. #18958
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Lifeline 6v AGM’s
I got about 8 years of heavy use on my last set.
They have different sizes and heights.
the 6v can be 360-400 AH in the standard base size but twice as tall as standard if you have extra vertical space in your compartment.. they can also be mounted on their side..
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02-21-2021, 02:06 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,690
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman
... After charging, they were both reading 13.5-13.6 volts, but just sitting after a week they are down to 12.5 volts....
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Those readings are normal. There is a residual high voltage after the charger is removed. It takes about 30 minutes for that charge to be adsorbed by the rest of the battery and equalize out to 12.5 or so. Running the batteries dry on water will affect the amp capacity more than the voltage. A load test may tell you if they are ruined.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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02-21-2021, 06:49 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman
Michelle & Ann, one of my friend's father was a sales rep for Trojan batteries, and I ran those in a golf cart I owned many years ago. Good quality batteries. I'm seriously considering just switching mine out to the sealed batteries. I'm going to take mine into Autozone tomorrow and have them load tested. After charging, they were both reading 13.5-13.6 volts, but just sitting after a week they are down to 12.5 volts. I think they could be shot. Do all 4 of your 6 volt batteries fit on the driver's side of your front storage compartment? Are they covered?
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The 6V AGMs actually fit better than the 12V Flooded they replaced.
I made a cover to fit over the top of them and even connected the outside vent tube. I wanted them covered just to prevent anything falling on them and arcing.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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02-24-2021, 01:09 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 117
M.O.C. #25753
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Switched to Lithium and will never go back!
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
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02-24-2021, 03:32 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,328
M.O.C. #17894
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I've had the same for batteries into different rigs since 2015. Two six volt and two 12 volt wire together
I checked the water level at least once a month
If you found your batteries bone dry you are not taking care of them properly
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02-24-2021, 06:37 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,669
M.O.C. #2283
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I checked my batteries the water was down to the top of the lead grid. This was after 3 years.
Lynwood
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02-25-2021, 07:32 AM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Mississauga
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #26577
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman
What AGM batteries you guys/gals using?
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I use 4 x 6V Trojan T-105. They are beasts! Total 434 amp-hours. Expensive, but IMHO they are worth it.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------
2020 3120RL
2017 Chevy Duramax Long box dually diesel.
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02-25-2021, 10:00 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 525
M.O.C. #26851
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Still using my 100 amp hr deep cycle wet battery. I am not a boondocker so this works fine for me. Wet batteries are the most forgiving of draw downs of over 50% and can recover more easily. If you maintain them they are good for most needs and are most inexpensive. AGM batteries are good for those that prefer no maintenance but are more sensitive to draw downs of over 50%, and are more expensive. Golf cart batteries weigh a ton but you get lots of amp hours and are more expensive. Just depends on your style of camping. I keep a 1/2 gal of distilled water and a turkey baster in my truck and keep my battery topped off and check them one a month in Texas heat and once a winter. Keep it on a trickle charger when in storage. Never any issues.
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02-25-2021, 10:32 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman
It's probably been said many a time to keep an eye on your batteries. I noticed my slides were slowing down when not hooked up, or just putting my front jacks down. Pulled both batteries for the first time since getting our trailer in May 2020. They are Super Start Marine deep cycle batteries, bought 01/20. Pulled the caps off and both batteries were dry to the bone. Refilled them and put them on a charge. Hopefully they were not damaged.
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I purchased a battery water fill system, I can fill all 4 6V batteries in 5 min. Done.
Mark
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02-25-2021, 11:10 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,283
M.O.C. #26190
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After testing, one battery was shot and the other was in great condition. Decided to replace both with Duracell's Marine & RV Group 34 AGM batteries from Sam's Club. $119.32 each and an 18 month warranty.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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