House battery life
For several years now I have been conducting a battery life expectancy test with my diesel motorhome. In January 2015, we arrived at Quartzsite for a winter stay, our first shot at Q. Shortly after arriving, it became obvious my house batteries were not in shape for a long boondock stay. I have four 6V house batteries, 2 each in series, connected in parallel. I disconnected all four and tested voltage and it seemed I had two low batteries out of the four. Since I was driving into Phoenix anyway, I stopped at the Interstate Battery store along I10 and bought 2 new GC2-XHD-UTL, 232Ah deep cycle batteries which I installed upon my return.
Of course, best laid plans and all that, I still did not have sufficient power and (since I was not going to Phoenix) decided to replace the other two with Trojan T-105s with 225Ah@20, and 185Ah@5hr available locally in Q. All this took place within a couple of days. My goal was to see which batteries lived longest.
It is now 6 years later and all four are chugging along with no problems. During this time I have monitored water level, and kept the batteries and connections all clean. I have a Magnum Inverter/charger with 3 stage charge function. During the 6 years, I have had to add a nominal amount of distilled water, barely enough to mention.
Last year I took a trip from Ohio to Arizona (four months, july,August,Sept.,Oct), and back. This year we are spending the winter in Florida and two days ago I checked my water. Interestingly the Interstates took the typical nominal water charge, barely 1/4 cup. Meanwhile, the Trojans required a full cup in each cell!
I was surprised by this information and now will keep a much closer eye on those two as I take this as a sign of possible beginning failure.
I'm happy with 6 years out of both sets, just curious about the final outcome. I now have to decide if I will change all four when one or the other fails, or keep the winner going until...........
Of course, best laid plans and all that, I still did not have sufficient power and (since I was not going to Phoenix) decided to replace the other two with Trojan T-105s with 225Ah@20, and 185Ah@5hr available locally in Q. All this took place within a couple of days. My goal was to see which batteries lived longest.
It is now 6 years later and all four are chugging along with no problems. During this time I have monitored water level, and kept the batteries and connections all clean. I have a Magnum Inverter/charger with 3 stage charge function. During the 6 years, I have had to add a nominal amount of distilled water, barely enough to mention.
Last year I took a trip from Ohio to Arizona (four months, july,August,Sept.,Oct), and back. This year we are spending the winter in Florida and two days ago I checked my water. Interestingly the Interstates took the typical nominal water charge, barely 1/4 cup. Meanwhile, the Trojans required a full cup in each cell!
I was surprised by this information and now will keep a much closer eye on those two as I take this as a sign of possible beginning failure.
I'm happy with 6 years out of both sets, just curious about the final outcome. I now have to decide if I will change all four when one or the other fails, or keep the winner going until...........
