I had a little corrosion on the walls of my battery tray, so I took them out to inspect. No structural harm, so I scrapped, sanded, painted the tray; now ready to put the batteries back in. At what point does it make sense to replace them as a preventive step?These are 4 Sam’s Club (Johnson Controls) 6V EGC2 batteries, manufactured Feb 09 (8 + years ago). They’ve consistently used only a couple spoonfuls of water every 2 – 3 months (per cell).After sitting in the garage a couple days, each still measured 6.32 to 6.35 volts. (Don't have a shunt&Trimetric type device to measure more accurately).They’ve worked fine. With light electricity use, I’ve gone 5 – 6 days boondocking without running the generator (have single 140w solar panel).There was a little corrosion on a couple terminals and in the horizontal seam just below the top cap. Easily cleaned up.There is a very slight bulge on the two ends of each battery (exact same on all 4). Don’t remember if they were this way when I put them in years ago.Bottom line – They have been working fine, but I wonder if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?

" if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?"Certainly does with me. I change at five years since I don't want to hassle with anything except where to sit to watch the sunset. And you can have the new batts of your choice instead of what that little town store has on hand.

CVD wrote:I had a little corrosion on the walls of my battery tray, so I took them out to inspect. No structural harm, so I scrapped, sanded, painted the tray; now ready to put the batteries back in. At what point does it make sense to replace them as a preventive step?These are 4 Sam’s Club (Johnson Controls) 6V EGC2 batteries, manufactured Feb 09 (8 + years ago). They’ve consistently used only a couple spoonfuls of water every 2 – 3 months (per cell).After sitting in the garage a couple days, each still measured 6.32 to 6.35 volts. (Don't have a shunt&Trimetric type device to measure more accurately).They’ve worked fine. With light electricity use, I’ve gone 5 – 6 days boondocking without running the generator (have single 140w solar panel).There was a little corrosion on a couple terminals and in the horizontal seam just below the top cap. Easily cleaned up.There is a very slight bulge on the two ends of each battery (exact same on all 4). Don’t remember if they were this way when I put them in years ago.Bottom line – They have been working fine, but I wonder if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?With our old coach, every house battery change was done so, while on the road. Once in a WA state Sam's parking lot during lunch and another time in a NJ campground. No biggie and even though I'm running 4 AGM 12v now, I'm not about to fix what's not broke, but do hope to take advantage of my 5yr full replacement warranty with these and no matter where I might be.I mean how can one predict when something will need fixing anyway, as issues can arise out of nowhere. I mean maybe I should have changed my starter out, ahead of time and twice in fact, with our old gas coach, rather than do so in a TX parking lot and in a FL rest area, whaddaya think?

CVD wrote:Bottom line – They have been working fine, but I wonder if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?OK so as you put it, Bottom line, when would you rather have Mr. Murphy visit you? At home, or 300 miles away, on a Sunday, with no options available because Monday is a holiday. (or at least that is my luck)Happy Motoring

Batteries don't often fail catastrophically (at least it's never happened to me). Usually you notice you need to charge more frequently as they deteriorate. If they are still up to capacity, why toss them? The worst that's likely to happen is you have to charge them a day or two earlier.I don't think there is any magical "lifetime" number for batteries. The one on my motorcycle is 13 years old and it fired up the bike instantly this spring. I'd keep them until they show signs of weakness.

I wouldn't do a thing. You have 6 batteries. If a cell died tomorrow you could still use the remaining 2 pairs (4) to get you to a point where you could replace them. I just replaced a pair of start batteries because one had a dead cell. I'd known about it for a 4 month stretch before I replaced it. The single good start battery worked all throughout the winter I spent in the southwest. Once or twice I had to use the coach battery crossover to help a start in very cold weather, but I could easily deal with a known problem until I got home. Don't see any difference here. I would get a good test on the batteries under load so you know what you're dealing with before you finally decide.

When To Replace Coach Batteries? | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2017
Yes, change them now. Changing them on the road is going to leave you at that whim of the local battery vendor. You can do some battery shopping at your leisure at home or you can buy whatever is available when they fail somewhere down the road.
chuckftboy
Explorer
Jun 01, 2017
I would replace those batteries. When they start to bulge, they are starting to fail. 8 years was pretty good service but like tires, even if they seem good, at some point they are just too old.
pigman1
Explorer
May 31, 2017
I wouldn't do a thing. You have 6 batteries. If a cell died tomorrow you could still use the remaining 2 pairs (4) to get you to a point where you could replace them. I just replaced a pair of start batteries because one had a dead cell. I'd known about it for a 4 month stretch before I replaced it. The single good start battery worked all throughout the winter I spent in the southwest. Once or twice I had to use the coach battery crossover to help a start in very cold weather, but I could easily deal with a known problem until I got home. Don't see any difference here. I would get a good test on the batteries under load so you know what you're dealing with before you finally decide.
keefr
Explorer
May 31, 2017
Batteries don't often fail catastrophically (at least it's never happened to me). Usually you notice you need to charge more frequently as they deteriorate. If they are still up to capacity, why toss them? The worst that's likely to happen is you have to charge them a day or two earlier.

I don't think there is any magical "lifetime" number for batteries. The one on my motorcycle is 13 years old and it fired up the bike instantly this spring. I'd keep them until they show signs of weakness.
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
May 31, 2017
CVD wrote:

Bottom line – They have been working fine, but I wonder if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?

OK so as you put it, Bottom line, when would you rather have Mr. Murphy visit you? At home, or 300 miles away, on a Sunday, with no options available because Monday is a holiday. (or at least that is my luck)
Happy Motoring
tropical36
Explorer
May 31, 2017
CVD wrote:
I had a little corrosion on the walls of my battery tray, so I took them out to inspect. No structural harm, so I scrapped, sanded, painted the tray; now ready to put the batteries back in. At what point does it make sense to replace them as a preventive step?

These are 4 Sam’s Club (Johnson Controls) 6V EGC2 batteries, manufactured Feb 09 (8 + years ago).

They’ve consistently used only a couple spoonfuls of water every 2 – 3 months (per cell).

After sitting in the garage a couple days, each still measured 6.32 to 6.35 volts. (Don't have a shunt&Trimetric type device to measure more accurately).

They’ve worked fine. With light electricity use, I’ve gone 5 – 6 days boondocking without running the generator (have single 140w solar panel).

There was a little corrosion on a couple terminals and in the horizontal seam just below the top cap. Easily cleaned up.

There is a very slight bulge on the two ends of each battery (exact same on all 4). Don’t remember if they were this way when I put them in years ago.

Bottom line – They have been working fine, but I wonder if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?

With our old coach, every house battery change was done so, while on the road. Once in a WA state Sam's parking lot during lunch and another time in a NJ campground. No biggie and even though I'm running 4 AGM 12v now, I'm not about to fix what's not broke, but do hope to take advantage of my 5yr full replacement warranty with these and no matter where I might be.
I mean how can one predict when something will need fixing anyway, as issues can arise out of nowhere. I mean maybe I should have changed my starter out, ahead of time and twice in fact, with our old gas coach, rather than do so in a TX parking lot and in a FL rest area, whaddaya think?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 31, 2017
" if it makes sense to change the 8 year old batteries at home when I’m ready (instead of on the road when I’d rather be doing other things)?"

Certainly does with me. I change at five years since I don't want to hassle with anything except where to sit to watch the sunset. And you can have the new batts of your choice instead of what that little town store has on hand.

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