Forum Discussion

Johnny_Dearborn's avatar
Johnny_Dearborn
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017

Is it Okay to Install a Regular Battery Inside the Coach?

So here's my situation: My 22 foot Shasta had only one puny coach battery that couldn't keep up with my power needs. Because there was no room outside the coach, I had an extra battery installed inside the coach under one of the rear seats. I used an expensive AGM battery because there's no venting to the outside which apparently is necessary for a regular battery. (GSM's don't vent gas and don't need water.)

Well, for the second time, this Northstar AGM battery has died on me. I'm 2,000 miles from home and don't feel like buying another one. How bad is the venting situation for a regular battery? Can I just wrap it in plastic? It's under the seat in a contained plastic battery box... is the venting thing that big a deal?

By the way, when an AGM battery goes, it gives off all kinds of horrible fumes. Smells like bad rotting garbage.

Thanks... John
Class C
  • RambleOnNW's avatar
    RambleOnNW
    Explorer II
    Aug 10, 2017
    Batteries Plus stores are all over and carry X2Power AGM which is made by Northstar. We have one for a chassis battery and it works great. Plan to use for house batteries too when it is time to replace.

    Get a portable battery charger and run off your generator to charge if your other charging methods are not working. Sounds like you need a DMM to measure your charging voltage too.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Aug 10, 2017
    Yeah, like time2roll,says, how are you charging those batteries? Sounds like an expensive proposition to me to keep buying batteries and then killing them due to insufficient charging and excessively depleting them.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Aug 10, 2017
    AGM should last 5 to 10 years with good care. Does your charging system meet the battery charging specs?

    What group size? s/b able to get a Lifeline battery (group 27?) at a local dealer or have it shipped to you.
  • Johnny_Dearborn's avatar
    Johnny_Dearborn
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2017
    Here's another question... my Northstar AGM has 710 cold cranking amps and cost me $350. (I bought two of them and both have failed in the past two weeks.) What do I really need to power some LED lights and a Mac laptop computer? (No TV.)

    John
  • Johnny_Dearborn's avatar
    Johnny_Dearborn
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2017
    kwplot34 wrote:
    put the battery in a sealed battery box that has a hose to vent it outside the coach.
    I like that idea, but... I'm in Minneapolis right now and home is in San Diego. Battery went out last night in Wisconsin. Not sure where I can even get a replacement AGM here. Just thinking of putting a cheap battery in and winging it until I get back home in September. Wondering where on the scale of stupid that is...

    John
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 10, 2017
    Good advice above.
    What ever you do, dont wrap it up or fail to vent it.
  • kwplot34's avatar
    kwplot34
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2017
    put the battery in a sealed battery box that has a hose to vent it outside the coach.
  • Johnny_Dearborn's avatar
    Johnny_Dearborn
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2017
    Yeah, but how much is it actually putting out? I used to have my starter battery in the back of my '74 Landcruiser right behind the driver seat. Never once thought about it... (Of course, I was young and dumb and this was way before the internet properly educated me on all the things to be afraid of.)
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 10, 2017
    The AGM battery died for a reason. Buying a new battery won't solve the problem.
  • EV2's avatar
    EV2
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2017
    I would not. Remember, hydrogen gas is explosive. (Hindenburg)

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