Check those batteries

[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.

[DQDick]

That's one of the reasons I spend the money for AGM batteries.

[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.

[432bartman]

What AGM batteries you guys/gals using?

[masterdrago]

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.

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.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by DQDick

That's one of the reasons I spend the money for AGM batteries.

Same here, expensive but well worth it.

[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.

[432bartman]

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.

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?

[Razahoryin]

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..

[Carl n Susan]

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....

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.

[mhs4771]

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?

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.

[BobStack]

Switched to Lithium and will never go back!

[beeje]

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

[mlh]

I checked my batteries the water was down to the top of the lead grid. This was after 3 years.
Lynwood

[Leonard R.]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

What AGM batteries you guys/gals using?

I use 4 x 6V Trojan T-105. They are beasts! Total 434 amp-hours. Expensive, but IMHO they are worth it.

[Mikelff]

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.

[MARK A]

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.

I purchased a battery water fill system, I can fill all 4 6V batteries in 5 min. Done.


Mark

[432bartman]

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.