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12-03-2012, 01:54 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Augusta
Posts: 67
M.O.C. #12146
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Battery replacement
The Exide battery that came with our Montana has gone completely
flat after only a few weeks with the unit unplugged.
Manufacture date was 3/11 so it isn't that old. Anyway we are going to replace it, and was wondering if most folks stepped up from the stock 500 cca original?
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12-03-2012, 01:57 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: No. Attleboro
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #6002
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I'm going to replace mine next month with a Die Hard 750 cca at least. I've found that the battery takes a lickin and keeps on tickin putting the rooms in and out. I still am using the original one that came with the coach, but it's time has come.
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12-03-2012, 02:07 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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If the unit has a remote control, the remote control board in the battery compartment stays energized by the battery and will drain the battery in a week or less (been there, done that, as have several other forum members). I would think your battery is still fine, it just needs charged. When you leave the rig, disconnect the battery at the battery, the battery switch in the convenience center does NOT eliminate all battery drains, even if you don't have a remote, there are still other drains such as the propane detector. Test your battery or have it tested somewhere, there is no way it is gone.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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12-03-2012, 02:29 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location:
Posts: 724
M.O.C. #10948
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My Exide packed it in early as well and wasn't one that could be saved. We replaced it with an Interstate which battery we've had in previous trailers and had nothing but excellent service from. My local battery guru said that the Exide is kind of at the bottom of the battery chain. I'd had it on a solar trickle charger when the trailer wasn't in use with everything turned off but it still sulphated.
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12-03-2012, 02:44 PM
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#5
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Augusta
Posts: 67
M.O.C. #12146
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[quote]Originally posted by bncinwv
If the unit has a remote control, the remote control board in the battery compartment stays energized by the battery and will drain the battery in a week or less (been there, done that, as have several other forum members). I would think your battery is still fine, it just needs charged. When you leave the rig, disconnect the battery at the battery, the battery switch in the convenience center does NOT eliminate all battery drains, even if you don't have a remote, there are still other drains such as the propane detector. Test your battery or have it tested somewhere, there is no way it is gone.
Bingo
It does have the remote, and I forgot all about that drain!
Thanks for the reminder, and I will start either leaving the fiver plugged in, or disconnect the battery.
Jack
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12-03-2012, 03:31 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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X2 with Bingo and if it is actually bad we replaced with two of the best Interstate Deep Cycle batteries NAPA had. Been real happy with them.
__________________
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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12-04-2012, 03:32 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Interstates are good. Run them in the RV and the boat.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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12-04-2012, 05:52 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,062
M.O.C. #5091
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Thanks for the info. Didn't realize there was still a drain on bateries with the switch turned off. Will have to disconnect battery at the post to COMPLETELY disconnect power.
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12-04-2012, 06:51 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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I have used and have had great service from Duralast Gold
Johnson Controls is the largest Mfg of batteries they private label for
Kirkland
Everstart
Duralast
Die Hard
Interstate
Optima
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12-04-2012, 06:58 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ronan
Posts: 385
M.O.C. #7615
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I run 2 NAPA 8144 batteries, these are 6 volt golf cart batteries. Have always used this type of battery in my last 3 5ers.
My last one just lasted 8 years and the other was good and 7 years old, but did replace both.
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12-04-2012, 08:11 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06
Interstates are good. Run them in the RV and the boat.
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We have an Interstate in our Montana...it came with the unit. As a matter of interest, we not only disconnect our batterry when the Montana ia at rest, but we also remove the battery and keep in on a "Battery Tender" at home...this way we always have a fully charged battery when it is time to take the Montana on the road.
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12-04-2012, 01:52 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location:
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #12816
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I replaced my 12v with 2 6v batteries from Sam's Club. Really extended my amp hours and have never needed more for up to 4-5 days dry camping.
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12-04-2012, 06:29 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: chula vista
Posts: 142
M.O.C. #12317
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i to replace my 12v with 4-6v battery they are relay allot better way to go last allot longer when you run them down then back up
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12-04-2012, 11:44 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Goshen
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #2827
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X3 on what Bingo said! Have that battery tested before you pitch it! Last year, after 6 years use of the original that the dealer installed, I did install 2 Diehards. They worked so good this last season that, it wasn't until near the end of the season, I discovered that the converter was going away. So, at the start of this next season, that will be a repair project.
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12-05-2012, 03:54 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wheatland
Posts: 675
M.O.C. #10623
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Disconnect it in storage or leave it hooked up to shore power. We never realized how many "Phantom Loads" Montana built into these rigs until we went with solar. I've been chasing one last phantom load for quite some time now and Bingo just told me where it is. I forgot about the propane detector. Thanks Bingo. In a way it's good to run so much off 12 volt or DC, but a list would have been nice.
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12-06-2012, 02:10 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Friendship, Maine
Posts: 483
M.O.C. #6338
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OH Man! Ours is in NH at dealer with the disconnect switch off in the convience center. Been there two weeks.
I do have a disconnect in the front compartment but did not turn it to off.
__________________
2012 Big Sky 3400, now an SOB 5th wheel
2007 Montana 3075 previously
2015 GMC 3500 Dually
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12-07-2012, 08:56 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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It sure seems like you might want to check that recharging occurs properly since the battery died so quickly. I think even a lesser quality battery would work much better than that if it's getting charged properly. I had an Interstate that went bad, so even seemingly better quality batteries can have issues. My other Interstate is still going strong.
Getting a more expensive battery if the charging system is suspect might mean this new one will live a shorter life if things aren't just right. And besides charging one needs to worry about over charging.
I've only learned enough via the web, the MOC and others that there's more to RV power than just plugging things in and expecting all of it to work. This requires some knowledge and maintenamce no matter how maintenance free or automatic you've made things since any of it can go wrong or bad.
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