I have 2 6V Sams Club GC batteries in my MH that are 13 years old. I went to charge them a month ago with my "smart charger" and it would not charge due to a sulfated cell(F2). So I figured it was time for new batteries. After multiple attempts I decided to try my old Magnetech 950 "dumb charger", after several hours with a 5 amp 13.2 v charge I was then able to use my 40 amp B&D charger again and it took a charge until it said FUL. I then continued to charge with the Magnatech for several more days prior to a camping trip to NH. I was thinking after 13 years these batteries lost a lot of capacity and figured I would have to use the genset to recharge during the week, I only dry camp. I don't watch TV, no internet or cell phone service where we camp so just lights, WP, refer and WH usage. To my amazement I lasted a week without recharging and was at 50% SOC, which was what I always saw when the batteries were newer. Usually I recharge over night with the B&D but the 5 hr drive home seemed to fully charge the batteries. They are still at 12.6 volts after sitting for a week with no charge (I don't keep a trickle charger on them just recharge when they get to 80% SOC.) So I will see if they survive the winter with no charge for another camping season. I realize most batteries die from sulfation(under charging) but I don't hear much discussion about constant or float charging and plate sheading.

Great report. Thirteen years is amazing.

Assuming no inverter or large draws, you should be ok, but it's likely batteries that old would not support big loads.This is a typical situation where many people eschew 6v batteries because if one fails you're sol. And yes, it's quite likely one of your 13yo batteries will fail before the other one, which is not far behind.

13 years is impressive and sounds like you do not maintain them as well as you should.6-7 yrs is a long batt lifespan.Yes, do keep a trickle charger on them over the winter.I have a little device called a "de-sulphator" or something. Plugs into any DC outlet in the car, RV and desulphates the batteries. I can't substantiate if it works or not or what it is doing. It is supposed to keep the crud off the plates, i think it sends a little pulse to the battery to "shake" or "vibrate" or in some way remove the scale. It has been years so I forgot all the claims and details.I run it in the truck every month or so and in the Rv, but not constantly.It only works when batt is at full charge (or being charged, so over 13v)I thought I would throw this tidbit in..

Stick a solar charger on them and they may last another 10 years.

just buy new batteries...will avoid issues.

Battery observations | Good Sam Community

Gjac
Explorer III
Sep 14, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
3 tons wrote:
My BD/Vector 1093 mostly just throws F codes and serves mostly as a pricy paper weight. Thankfully I have several other chargers that can sometimes fool the BD out of it’s predictable slumber...

3 tons

It will not charge a completely dead battery, charge with a cheap charger first.
I found this out several years ago when a repair shop in Mt. had my MH for 4 months and let the battery run down. When I flew back in Nov the battery was dead and partially frozen and the B&D would not charge it but after an hr or so with the Magnatech charger at 13.2v and 5 amps it worked fine.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 13, 2020
Good luck in Californiastan. All chargers must be automatic and shippers are forbidden to ship manual chargers. When a simple TIMER would have satisfied their complaints. Pretty fartsmellers, Sacramento.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 13, 2020
3 tons wrote:
My BD/Vector 1093 mostly just throws F codes and serves mostly as a pricy paper weight. Thankfully I have several other chargers that can sometimes fool the BD out of it’s predictable slumber...

3 tons

It will not charge a completely dead battery, charge with a cheap charger first.
3_tons
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2020
My BD/Vector 1093 mostly just throws F codes and serves mostly as a pricy paper weight. Thankfully I have several other chargers that can sometimes fool the BD out of it’s predictable slumber...

3 tons
Gjac
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2020
BFL13 wrote:
Gjac wrote:
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Gjac wrote:
I was thinking after 13 years these batteries lost a lot of capacity and figured I would have to use the genset to recharge during the week, (as) I only dry camp. I don't watch TV, no internet or cell phone service where we camp so just lights, WP, refer and WH usage.

...but the 5 hr drive home seemed to fully charge the batteries.

They likely NEVER got fully recharged. You should put them back on your smart charger and get them as close as possible to 100%.
They are still holding at 12.6 v after a week with no charger. I don't think the "smart charger" fully charges them. I notice I get a few more days of dry camping when I use the Magnatech charger to float the batteries for a few days before camping after the B&D says FUL. Also I think my 180 amp alternator pumps more amps in after my B&D says FUL. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this about their smart chargers?

The Vector/B&D chargers get them to about 97% SOC and say FUL. Their manual says you then set it to the low amp setting (2 or 4 depending on model) and run it again till it says FUL. Now you will be closer to true full. Of course you can tell with your hydrometer what the truth is.

With my 6s (same with 12v 27s) and the VEC1093DBD I just set it to the 4amp and push Equalize (flashing green light). It brings them to what would be FUL at 14.8, then it switches by itself to Equalize at 15.7 and does that till it says FUL. Hydrometer shows that they are now actually full.

Love my 1093! :) Best thing is you can leave it to do all that overnight by itself and check the SG in the morning. You don't have to be there keeping an eye on progress.
Yeah, I love this 40 amp charger also, best $50 I ever spent when WM stopped selling them. I also like this old Magnatech converter/charger for topping off the batteries. For years I have heard on here how they are batteries boilers and will ruin your batteries. For the life of me I can't figure out how 13.6 v when new and now down to 13.2 v after 25 years of service can boil your batteries? 25 years of service with no maintenance or repairs is pretty good for an RV system. I will have to try that 4 amp trick I did not know that.
Gjac
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2020
wopachop wrote:
Gjac wrote:
My reason for not keeping a trickle charge on them constantly or over winter is I think the more you charge them the more you wear the plates down. Again I have not heard much discussion about that just MHO based on my experience.
The Trojan battery guide mentions that topic. A constant trickle charge is not the ideal storage method. I made a post about it a year ago because i found it interesting as well.
It seems many on here keep a constant charge on their batteries as a best practice, glad to see others think differently. I just wonder if anyone has determined or read how much plate is shed by a constant charge over x amount of time?
BFL13
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2020
Gjac wrote:
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Gjac wrote:
I was thinking after 13 years these batteries lost a lot of capacity and figured I would have to use the genset to recharge during the week, (as) I only dry camp. I don't watch TV, no internet or cell phone service where we camp so just lights, WP, refer and WH usage.

...but the 5 hr drive home seemed to fully charge the batteries.

They likely NEVER got fully recharged. You should put them back on your smart charger and get them as close as possible to 100%.
They are still holding at 12.6 v after a week with no charger. I don't think the "smart charger" fully charges them. I notice I get a few more days of dry camping when I use the Magnatech charger to float the batteries for a few days before camping after the B&D says FUL. Also I think my 180 amp alternator pumps more amps in after my B&D says FUL. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this about their smart chargers?

The Vector/B&D chargers get them to about 97% SOC and say FUL. Their manual says you then set it to the low amp setting (2 or 4 depending on model) and run it again till it says FUL. Now you will be closer to true full. Of course you can tell with your hydrometer what the truth is.

With my 6s (same with 12v 27s) and the VEC1093DBD I just set it to the 4amp and push Equalize (flashing green light). It brings them to what would be FUL at 14.8, then it switches by itself to Equalize at 15.7 and does that till it says FUL. Hydrometer shows that they are now actually full.

Love my 1093! :) Best thing is you can leave it to do all that overnight by itself and check the SG in the morning. You don't have to be there keeping an eye on progress.
wopachop
Explorer
Sep 13, 2020
Gjac wrote:
My reason for not keeping a trickle charge on them constantly or over winter is I think the more you charge them the more you wear the plates down. Again I have not heard much discussion about that just MHO based on my experience.
The Trojan battery guide mentions that topic. A constant trickle charge is not the ideal storage method. I made a post about it a year ago because i found it interesting as well.
Gjac
Explorer III
Sep 13, 2020
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Gjac wrote:
I was thinking after 13 years these batteries lost a lot of capacity and figured I would have to use the genset to recharge during the week, (as) I only dry camp. I don't watch TV, no internet or cell phone service where we camp so just lights, WP, refer and WH usage.

...but the 5 hr drive home seemed to fully charge the batteries.

They likely NEVER got fully recharged. You should put them back on your smart charger and get them as close as possible to 100%.
They are still holding at 12.6 v after a week with no charger. I don't think the "smart charger" fully charges them. I notice I get a few more days of dry camping when I use the Magnatech charger to float the batteries for a few days before camping after the B&D says FUL. Also I think my 180 amp alternator pumps more amps in after my B&D says FUL. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this about their smart chargers?
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2020
Gjac wrote:
I was thinking after 13 years these batteries lost a lot of capacity and figured I would have to use the genset to recharge during the week, (as) I only dry camp. I don't watch TV, no internet or cell phone service where we camp so just lights, WP, refer and WH usage.

...but the 5 hr drive home seemed to fully charge the batteries.

They likely NEVER got fully recharged. You should put them back on your smart charger and get them as close as possible to 100%.

Forum Discussion

Battery observations

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Mice - My observation

Just an observation....

Backup/Observation Cameras

Charging observation/question

Seattle RV Show Observations