Chassis Batteries

[2chiefsRus]

Just wondering about chassis battery replacement. We monitor our house batteries very closely but it just occurred to me that we haven't replaced our chassis batteries since March 2011. Not having any problems with them at all, but thinking about replacing them before leaving Florida in the spring. How often do you replace your chassis batteries? We are the original owners of our 2007 coach.

[Bruce_Brown]

I replaced ours after 9 years. Even then I put them in one of my farm tractors, where I used them for 2 more years.

[wa8yxm]

This goes big time for a MOTOR HOME.. Since you are monitoring your HOUSE batteries do not worry so much about a chassis battery failure.. WHY.. Well you know that button on the dash marked BOOST or EMER Start? Here is what it does

IF the chassis battery is LOW it will connect both battery banks together to act as a JUMP START.. hold it for like 30 seconds. back off for 30. then hold and at about 10-20 seconds crank 'er up. That's all

Instant jump start built in (Note works the other way for starting the generator in some cases too).

I went with DEKA as my new battery US Made (East Penn battery company only 100% us made battery company) and my original "Workhorse" branded (The chassis builder) lasted almost 9 years (like 8 3/4)

[2chiefsRus]

thanks for all the replies. I just don't want to get us into a situation where we harm the alternator by trying to get more life out of the chassis batteries. We have two Interstate PF31S chassis batteries purchased from Sams Club in March 2011.

[GPWayne]

I have two AMG batterys, the last set lasted 10 years.
I never let them get below 80% charge.
Works for me.

[sundancer268]

Mine were new in May 2009 and worked well when I put her to sleep for the winter. Coach is plugged in to power year around with the BIRD keeping the house and coach batteries topped off. I expect it will start up just fine in April or May when I can get it out of the barn. If it wont, I will boost it from the house bank and then replace. The house batteries lasted me eight years so I expect in the next few years I will be replacing the chassis batteries. I will not replace until they fail as I can't be left stranded if the house bank is available. I also carry jumper cables so I can use the toad to charge either bank as needed to get something running.

[2oldman]

He's asking about the chassis battery.

[Tom_Barb]

We notice when the batteries will deplete in a shorter time with our normal usage. Normally we can go 4-5 days on batteries and tanks, then we must hook up and dump and charge. when that drops to 2 days we replace batteries.
We bought the coach in 09, and replaced the batteries, we have done it again in 2014, and are almost ready to do it again. Last trip we went 3 days before we were required to start the gen-set.

[2oldman]

If you wish to keep it, carry a spare.

[pianotuna]

If you can 'boost' from the house batteries, I'd wait for the chassis batteries to fail, before replacing them. If you are noticing slow cranking or some other issue--then replace.

[Lwiddis]

Since I’m a boondocker I replace the starting battery every three years. I don’t want a starting issue way out there.

[midnightsadie]

2005 f150 went 12yr then died in a parking lot. I,d change them before the trip.

[theoldwizard1]

Anything over 5 years and you are doing well !

[donn0128]

8 years? You got a good one. Have it load tested, but personqlly I would replace it rather than get stranded.

[IB853347201]

About every 5 years. Seems to be the max life we can squeeze out of a pair of 12V deep cycles.