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Old 12-03-2012, 01:54 PM   #1
Ski Doo
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 01:57 PM   #2
RJI47
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 02:07 PM   #3
bncinwv
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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.
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Old 12-03-2012, 02:29 PM   #4
moutard2
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 02:44 PM   #5
Ski Doo
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 03:31 PM   #6
DQDick
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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.
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Old 12-04-2012, 03:32 AM   #7
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Interstates are good. Run them in the RV and the boat.
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Old 12-04-2012, 05:52 AM   #8
bigred715
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 06:51 AM   #9
kdeiss
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 06:58 AM   #10
Allen in MT
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 08:11 AM   #11
CamillaMichael
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Interstates are good. Run them in the RV and the boat.
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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Old 12-04-2012, 01:52 PM   #12
Neil.M
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 06:29 PM   #13
jimmy2
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 11:44 PM   #14
MIMF
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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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Old 12-05-2012, 03:54 AM   #15
Alwims
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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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Old 12-06-2012, 02:10 AM   #16
Chip
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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.

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Old 12-07-2012, 08:56 AM   #17
Art-n-Marge
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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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