Replacing Batteries Questions

wa8yxm wrote:


First, mark the positive cables clearly I suggest RED paint or nail polish
)

or get a set of cable marking stickers and identify them all separately recording the location of 1, 2,etc.
bumpy

I took a lot of pics, numbered the batteries, then labeled each wire.
Example: 1+, 4- etc. Sure helped when I put the new ones in. Did the same on a golf cart at the state park we are at. That REALLY helped as earlier on people added 12V things so a manual was not too helpful.

DICK

Generally the chassis batteries are 12 volt but there is no guarantee, they also use both six and 24 volt depending on the chassis.

Best option is to do this.

First, mark the positive cables clearly I suggest RED paint or nail polish

Photograph and remove the batteries to the battery store

That way you only need to make one trip (Other wise you make one to get them and another for the CORE refund.)

Suggest you watch the youtube video HOW TO REPLACE DEEP CYCLE RV "HOUSE" BATTERIES, The video also covers chassis batteries.

Good Luck Don

1st take a couple of digital photos of the wiring on ALL of all 6 batteries. If your Bus set up like our '06 Phaeton, I had to pull the 2 6Volt batteries toward the front of the RV completely out of the compartment. Next take out the 12V battery toward the front of the RV, then slide toward the front of the RV the rear most 12Volt battery and remove. Install in reverse. Our OEM 12Volt starting batteries only lasted about 4 years of fulltiming, OEM house batteries lasted a little over 5 years. We're working on 10 years in the Phaeton now, so the cycle is overdue to start again.

Definitely take a picture of the batteries and wires BEFORE you disconnect or remove anything.
This can save you a lot of frustration.

Clean all the connections before reassemble ..

If they are two batteries mounted in SERIES then they are two each 6VDC BATTERIES. If they are wired together in parallel then they are two each 12VDC batteries...

Everyone should have a multimter to measure such things...

Go pick up one from HARBOR FRIEGHT. Usually free when you purchase something from them...

I would take a CELL PHONE photo of how they are wired up before you remove them...

You also need to learn what made them run down... Your new ones will do the same thing...

Hopefully you have a smart mode converter/charger system with your RV that uses the multiple DC VOLTAGES to keep your batteries re-charged when connected to shoe power or running from your generator.

Some of the older RV UNITS only have single mode converter/chargers and this 13.6VDC only charging voltage may boil out your battery fluids over time which ruins then eventually.

When parked you should have a battery disconnect method to keep the parasitic drains in your RV from draining down the batteries...


Roy Ken

Make sure that the coach is unplugged, because the power 'converter' can put 12 volt power to the battery terminals if the RV is plugged in.

Mark all the wires carefully, and battery locations. Take pictures too.

Disconnect the - terminal wires for all 6 batteries, then you can start to remove the interconnecting wires.

The batteries will all be heavy, you will feel like you did a workout. My golf cart batteries are 67 pounds each.

Your chassis batteries most likely will be 12 volt, and probably group 31 or larger battery. If it is a 8D battery, it will be in the 120 pound range!

Once you have disconnected and removed the 4 coach batteries, then starting the engine is not a option, unless all the + 12 volt wires are safely wrapped up, so they can not short to ground (with engine running) until everything is put back together.

If the battery is about 18" long and 10" wide, 8-9" tall, it is the 8D monster 120 pound battery. If it looks like a normal car battery, but slightly larger, then it probably is a group 27, group 31, or similar 60 - 70 pound battery. It should be able to be found at Costco for a good price, or any auto parts store. You want to get a good battery, with a 60 month warranty. Anything less will not produce the 300+ cranking amps that each battery will put out to start that large engine of yours!

Fred.

12v. Same size as in there now. Only difficulty is lifting. We get a lot of posts from folks who don't pay attention to how the batteries are wired up BEFORE they remove them.