How can you till if it's time to replace your batteries?We have two Trojan T-105s that are about 5 years old. They are usually charged by AC but a couple times a year we will overnight at a Wal-Mart.We're getting ready to make a long trip and may use Wal-Mart for a few overnights. I don't want to replace them if they still are healthy and have plenty of life left in them, but I don't want to take off and have them fail on the trip either.Thoughts?

Take them to an auto parts store. They have test machines that can test them and let you know the health of the batteries. I use Advance Auto Parts and they test them for free.Dave

jcpainter wrote:How can you till if it's time to replace your batteries?We have two Trojan T-105s that are about 5 years old. They are usually charged by AC but a couple times a year we will overnight at a Wal-Mart.We're getting ready to make a long trip and may use Wal-Mart for a few overnights. I don't want to replace them if they still are healthy and have plenty of life left in them, but I don't want to take off and have them fail on the trip either.Thoughts?Why not try a simulation run in your RV in your driveway for a few days and see what happens? You could charge them up by plugging in, and then degauss them, and check them with a meter or hydrometer, but a live test might give you a better idea of what they will or won't do in the field. If they fail, replace.

A simple pass/fail is if you can see the sides bulging. If they are then it's time to replace.

Use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity. You want to see it in the high range if they are charged but a big variation between cells is an indication of needing an equalize charge or old age

An adequate solar system will fill them by noon or so. Then you’ll be unconcerned with where you camp regarding batteries.

Battery replacement | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

Horsedoc
Explorer II
Apr 15, 2018
I have two house batteries in our MH that are still good - bought the unit new in 2008. Charge them up and see what happens
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 15, 2018
An adequate solar system will fill them by noon or so. Then you’ll be unconcerned with where you camp regarding batteries.
azrving
Explorer
Apr 15, 2018
Use a hydrometer to check the specific gravity. You want to see it in the high range if they are charged but a big variation between cells is an indication of needing an equalize charge or old age
ScottG
Nomad
Apr 15, 2018
A simple pass/fail is if you can see the sides bulging. If they are then it's time to replace.
MDKMDK
Explorer
Apr 15, 2018
jcpainter wrote:
How can you till if it's time to replace your batteries?

We have two Trojan T-105s that are about 5 years old. They are usually charged by AC but a couple times a year we will overnight at a Wal-Mart.

We're getting ready to make a long trip and may use Wal-Mart for a few overnights.

I don't want to replace them if they still are healthy and have plenty of life left in them, but I don't want to take off and have them fail on the trip either.

Thoughts?

Why not try a simulation run in your RV in your driveway for a few days and see what happens? You could charge them up by plugging in, and then degauss them, and check them with a meter or hydrometer, but a live test might give you a better idea of what they will or won't do in the field. If they fail, replace.
dpgllg
Explorer
Apr 15, 2018
Take them to an auto parts store. They have test machines that can test them and let you know the health of the batteries.

I use Advance Auto Parts and they test them for free.

Dave

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Battery replacement

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