Missing coach battery

[Denver9]

I just picked up a 1993 Majestic motor-home. It has a Ford Chassis. The Coach battery is missing and the two leads just taped off to prevent a short? Naturally, none of the inside coach lights work. I want to replace the battery but do not know what size and capacity battery I should get. The battery holder looks considerably smaller than the chassis battery. Both cables leading to the coach battery are red with no identification marking to help with polarity.
Where can I find a wiring diagram for the motor-home?
-Denver

[Denver9]

I posted a picture of my unit last night, but this morning it is gone. Where did it go???

[tenbear]

Here is a link to how to post a picture.

[Denver9]

Mocoondo wrote:

A '93 Majestic? Any chance you can post some photos? That is very likely a retired Cruise America unit.

how do I post a picture to this forum?

[Jbrowland]

Mocoondo wrote:
A '93 Majestic? Any chance you can post some photos? That is very likely a retired Cruise America unit.

Yep. I have one too but mine is a 2008. Cruise America owns the name Majestic and Thor/Four Winds build them specifically for Cruise America. I am not sure how long they have been doing it but I have read that it has been many years now.

[Mocoondo]

A '93 Majestic? Any chance you can post some photos? That is very likely a retired Cruise America unit.

[Denver9]

thanks, that makes good sense

[Dakzuki]

Denver9 wrote:
DAKZUKI
both batteries are located in the engine compartment. The Chassis battery (Largest) is on the driver's side. The coach battery is on the passenger side.
I hope to eventually relocate the coach battery to one of the side storage compartments. Probably use 2 six volt batteries in series as several have suggested.
I have been told that the battery compartment should be vented. Seems to me those storage compartments are not sealed and would get enough natural ventilation. Any thoughts on that subject?
-Denver

Yes, The unsealed batteries must have enough ventilation so that explosive gases do not concentrate in the RV. Unsealed does not mean adequately ventilated in my book. The easy way is to put vents in the compartment...enough so you have air flow. You can also get sealed batteries (AGM) which are more expensive or you can put your conventional batteries in sealed boxes that vent overboard. The big thing is either a) keep the gases in low enough concentrations that they pose no danger or b) deny them an ignition source where they are concentrated. In the case of the vented box you are doing a bit of both.

[cgmartine]

Denver9, as I said earlier, that is what I did to my class C. It had a single coach battery under the hood, and I removed it and installed two T-105 batteries in the compartment next to the generator. I had a Cobra Passport, with the generator on the driver side, toward the front. I had a small compartment next to the generator, and used it for the batteries. I don't recall what I did for venting, but in addition to that, you need to make sure it is strong enough to support the two batteries.

[Denver9]

DAKZUKI
both batteries are located in the engine compartment. The Chassis battery (Largest) is on the driver's side. The coach battery is on the passenger side.
I hope to eventually relocate the coach battery to one of the side storage compartments. Probably use 2 six volt batteries in series as several have suggested.
I have been told that the battery compartment should be vented. Seems to me those storage compartments are not sealed and would get enough natural ventilation. Any thoughts on that subject?
-Denver

[Dakzuki]

Denver, Where is the battery located? You didn't mention if it's under the hood or in the back somewhere. On some Fords of about your vintage, there is a spot under the hood where the coach battery is. There is a specific (and unfortunately not inexpensive) battery that fits there.

[BruceMc]

Our unit had room for a single group 27, but it was in an awkward spot just aft of the generator. I wish it was under the steps like most units.. but it is not.

Here's my post from a few yeas ago when I rebuilt the Battery Box to accomodate 2 6 volt batteries.
Enjoy!

[Bordercollie]

Look at some rigs with two 6 volt batteries in series, measure the battery compartment and compare to your rig's compartment to verify that two golf cart batteries like Trojan T-105's will fit. There may be alternatives for (safely) mounting and connecting the second 6 -volt battery near the other one.

[Denver9]

I like the idea of installing two 6 volt batteries. For the time being though I am just going to install the biggest 12V battery that will fit the space available for the stock Coach battery. I went to a local RV sales/service place to get a quote on the 6V conversion. Didn't get a written quote but was informed the rate was $85 per hour and it would take several hours. They also said a vented compartment was a necessity to keep dangerous fumes out of the coach.
Guess I will wait awhile and do it myself

[ksg5000]

Denver9 wrote:
One last question on this topic from me. The seller told me he hooked the generator wire to the chassis battery positive terminal. He said it was previously routed over to the coach battery but he made the change so he could start the generator. does that sound reasonable?
Where should the generator wire be connected? To the coach or to the chassis battery?
Thanks

Some rigs come that way .. some don't. I think hooking the generator to the chassis battery is a poor idea - generator takes a lot of juice to start and you may end up with dead chassis battery and stranded in the middle of nowhere (been there/done that). I moved both electric steps and generator from chassis battery to coach battery - I also added Trik L Start which allows shore power and generator to charge chassis battery (inexpensive and popular add-on product). I also suggest you start the rig before you start the generator - puts both chassis and coach battery online which helps generator start and avoids dead battery issues.

[tenbear]

My genny is connected to the coach battery. I prefer that because the genny recharges the coach battery once it starts. Mine does not recharge the chassis battery.