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07-27-2019, 10:55 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Omaha
Posts: 104
M.O.C. #19003
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Battery Maintenance Pt 2: Boil Over
Again, I have a 2017 Montana 3661RL with two batteries wired in parallel. Previously I wrote about a possible leaking battery. What I discovered is one of the two batteries has boiled over. The six cells has enough water in them but I can see where water has leaked from under the cell cap. What causes the water to boil over and can this be prevented?
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07-27-2019, 12:13 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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Sorry I can't say how to prevent it but I have never had the problem over 12 years and 3 different new Montana fivers. Maybe converter over charging?
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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07-27-2019, 01:41 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 785
M.O.C. #18384
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I had both of mine boil over once. After I removed the batteries to clean them up I found that I had over filled them. It's hard to see the level with them installed, so be judicious when filling them. I have had no trouble since, and that was about a year ago.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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07-27-2019, 03:29 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,081
M.O.C. #20477
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You could also have a bad battery.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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07-27-2019, 06:04 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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Most times the battery/batteries are what cause the converter to keep supplying excessive charge current. If you didn't use distilled water in them, added a new battery to the bank without changing out the existing battery, or batteries are over three years old for normal cheap deep cycle...then it's probably time to replace. Given a 2017 rig, batteries should just be 3 yrs old and we know dealers don't install quality batteries. Just shooting in the dark here.
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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07-27-2019, 07:22 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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My solution is to get a couple of good 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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07-27-2019, 10:51 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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With your year rig you should have a smart charger/converter, which should not allow over charging. I have 2-6volt golf cart batteries and have had real good luck with them. Many on this forum have switched to golf cart batteries. I don't know if you do any boon docking but if you do I think you will like the 6 volt golf cart batteries. I only have 2, but some have 4 or 6. Whenever you replace a battery always replace all batteries or the old battery will draw down the new battery.
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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07-28-2019, 06:54 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,898
M.O.C. #9561
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if you didn't over fill you probably have a bad battery. replace both of them.
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07-28-2019, 08:24 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 863
M.O.C. #20949
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Use a multi meter and measure output of converter at battery. If it’s higher than 13.8 then most likely shorted of dead cell in battery. To verify disconnect converter from battery and measure output of converter. If 13.4 to 13.8 you know converter is good
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08-04-2019, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Albany
Posts: 409
M.O.C. #11972
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Batteries can fail at any time but starting with good batteries can go a long way to getting good battery life. My Monty came with two Centennial Group 27 deep cycle, maintenance-free batteries (DC27MF). These are standard flooded lead-acid batteries. The key is that they are truly maintenance-free. My rig stays plugged in to shore power or the TV all the time except when it is in the shop for annual axle service. I got 6 years of reliable service out of my original batteries. Last year I had to replace then with Interstate batteries. They were also deep cycle batteries but they were not maintenance free so it required checking electrolyte levels every 90 days. Not a huge problem - just an annoyance. After 11 months with the Interstate batteries, I remove them and put new Centennials back in after having the batteries discharge to the point of tripping the 50 amp breaker for my hydraulic slides after being off shore power for 8 hours while a window was being replaced. Never had the Centennials do that. And yes, I've seen all the posts about upgrading the auto-reset breaker to 80 amps. I did that yesterday. I'll sell the Interstate ones for whatever i can get. Someone can use them for a trolling motor or some other low current purpose and they will do just fine.
__________________
2012 3150RL. G614 tires. Hardwired surge protector. Level-Up Hydraulic leveling.
2013 F-350 Lariat 6.7 PSD SRW SC LB 4X4 OEM hitch, air self-leveling on rear. 57-gallon replacement fuel tank. DieselSite water separator/fuel filter.
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08-05-2019, 03:24 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 181
M.O.C. #9174
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What AGM Battery AMP/Hour rating is best. I found a load of choices and prices on a web site: https://www.batterystuff.com/
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-05-2019, 04:15 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,081
M.O.C. #20477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgeis48
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Carl,
It really depends on how you use your rig, if you have an inverter, a res fridge and ever boondock even for a few hours.
The smallest battery bank I would consider is 200 AH or 400 AH if you plan any boondocking with an inverter.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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08-08-2019, 04:54 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northville, NY
Posts: 814
M.O.C. #21158
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I bought a 1 year old RV once and the dealer installed a new battery and gave me the old one. I hooked them up in parallel and ran that way for a couple years. Then one night in the middle at about 2 Am the gas detector went off. After a brief search I found the older battery was boiling over and the hydrogen/sulfur gas set off the detector. I guess a plate warped and shorted out but I never had it tested, I just discarded the battery. I later learned (from this forum) that you should always use matched batteries if you run in pairs.
__________________
Jim B
2017 Lariat F-350 FX4, CC, SB, 6.7 PSD 4WD
2018 MONTY 3731FL, at our private winter site in GA
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