Any specific time to replace Batteries?
I know you should replace tires between 5 to 7 yrs, definitely before the 10 yr mark. So does anyone change their rigs batteries by a certain time? Ours are about 5 or 6 yrs old now. We live full tim...
Forum Discussion
Gjac wrote:
It really depends on how you maintain them. My two Sam's Club 6v GC batteries are 10 years old and I dry camp 95 percent of the time. I usually don't stay more than 3-4 days in anyone spot and have minimal 12v requirements so they may be at 70 or 80 percent SOC. Once maybe twice a year I stay for a week and they are at 50 percent SOC. I always charge to full within a week. Also equalize and desulfate several time a year. My Walmart starting battery was just replaced and was 10 years old also, I charged it along with my house batteries but it was a sealed battery so I could not equalize it. My first set were Trojan 105's which only lasted 4 years because I did not know at the time how to maintain them. I never got more than about 4 years out of my cars because the just get charged by the alternator. If you fulltime your 12v requirements will be much higher.
good care as you mentioned equals long life. On a good GC, keep the water level above the plates, charge fully after use, equalize occasionally and you will get long life. Trojan GC are good for 500 + discharges to 25 percent SOC. Been there, done that and haven't hit the 500+ cycles, but came close and batteries lasted 14 years. and discharging to only 50 percent will give close to 1000 cycles. well beyond what most any camper will see.
