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08-16-2012, 02:27 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Elgin
Posts: 262
M.O.C. #11570
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BATTERY QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS
When I test my battery with the battery dis-connect on it reads 13.3.
With the battery dis-connect off it reads 10.7
Is the battery shot ? Time for a new one ? Battery is only 2 years old. Exide battery.
What's the best brand to get ? Should I get maintenance free or normal battery ?
Thanks,
Larry P
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08-16-2012, 03:11 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Before scrapping it, I would try charging it first to see if it holds a charge, and what the voltage reading is. If it is bad, you have a lot of options available, depending on how much money you want to spend. If you are simply looking for a replacement, chose a battery designed for extended draw like the Optima Yellow top (NOTE: that is not an endorsement for Optima!!! I personally do not like the brand and only posted it for type identification!). If you want to extend the operating time of your battery consider buying two 6 volt golf cart batteries.
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08-16-2012, 03:32 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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X2 on what Tom says. Folks are using everything from deep cycle marine batteries (we have two and got the best NAPA had to offer) to golf cart batteries to even the batteries that power the road side signs. Just make sure you get a quality one.
__________________
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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08-16-2012, 03:45 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,669
M.O.C. #9969
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Just a guess, but from the voltage reading you have, sounds like you have a bad cell in the battery (battery is made up of 6 2 volt cells). But before changing, did you check the water level??
__________________
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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08-16-2012, 04:54 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Elgin
Posts: 262
M.O.C. #11570
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I'm confused. When you say to charge the battery, isn't that what the converter is doing within the Monty ? As long as the battery dis-connect is on won't the battery be charged by the converter ?
If you are saying I should charge the battery independent of the Monty unit, do I remove or dis-connect the cables from the battery before hooking up my battery charger ?
Under normal conditions, if the battery is reading 13.3 with the battery dis-connect on, what should the reading be when the battery dis-connect is off ?
Larry P
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08-16-2012, 05:01 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 1,475
M.O.C. #6237
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If you are hooked up you will get a good reading if you are disconnected from shore power or your truck and still 13.3 volts the battery should be good. Take it to a battery shop and let them test it to be sure.
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08-16-2012, 05:43 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Elgin
Posts: 262
M.O.C. #11570
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It appears I'm going down the road of purchasing a new battery for my Monty.
I've been advised to purchase a AGM GROUP 24 battery.
Any thoughts on going with the AGM type battery in place of the flooded ?
We are not big dry campers so large amounts of battery life is not a big issue. I just need a good relible battery for jacks, fridge, etc.
Larry P
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08-16-2012, 09:12 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Larry-P
I'm confused. When you say to charge the battery, isn't that what the converter is doing within the Monty ? As long as the battery dis-connect is on won't the battery be charged by the converter ?
If you are saying I should charge the battery independent of the Monty unit, do I remove or dis-connect the cables from the battery before hooking up my battery charger ?
Under normal conditions, if the battery is reading 13.3 with the battery dis-connect on, what should the reading be when the battery dis-connect is off ?
Larry P
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Yes, the inverter/converter is supposed to charge the battery. Note the word supposed. You wouldn't be the forst one to have one go bad - we had to replace ours about a year after it went out of warranty. To rule out that possibility, charge the battery (by removing the cables as you said) and take it someplace and have it tested. If it's only two years old and does have a bad cell, it might be covered under warranty.
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08-16-2012, 10:17 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Moriches
Posts: 418
M.O.C. #6436
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Your readings are correct. The converter will put out 13.3 volts because that is the charging voltage of the battery. The maximum voltage the battery can have disconnected from the charger is 12.7 volts. The battery is 1/2 discharged at 12.2 volts etc. Everything sounds normal.
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08-16-2012, 10:24 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Larry-P
It appears I'm going down the road of purchasing a new battery for my Monty.
I've been advised to purchase a AGM GROUP 24 battery.
Any thoughts on going with the AGM type battery in place of the flooded ?
We are not big dry campers so large amounts of battery life is not a big issue. I just need a good relible battery for jacks, fridge, etc.
Larry P
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We've had the AGM batteries in the Montana since October 2003. They've served us well and are still going strong. We have the Lifeline D8 batteries that you can look at here. They are expensive but well worth the money. If I remember correctly, we paid $399 each for two of them. Based on that cost, it averages out to about $45/year for us. They are a worry-free battery. However, I only recommend the D8 batteries if you are a full-time RVer. It isn't a real economical purchase if you are only a now and then camper.
Orv
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08-16-2012, 12:21 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,696
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jwedell
Your readings are correct. The converter will put out 13.3 volts because that is the charging voltage of the battery. The maximum voltage the battery can have disconnected from the charger is 12.7 volts. The battery is 1/2 discharged at 12.2 volts etc. Everything sounds normal.
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The problem is the battery voltage, when not being charged, is 10.7V according to the original post. That ain't normal.
__________________
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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08-16-2012, 12:34 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: East Moriches
Posts: 418
M.O.C. #6436
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My mistake i thought it read 12.7 instead of 10.7. The battery is dead. Did you check the water level.
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