Replace house batteries?

Everyone said my AGM's needed replacement many years before I did. I replaced them after 10 years even though the held charge just fine. We dry camp from time to time and we were running the generator more each year. It was still cheaper to run the genny but I found a cheaper battery than the Lifelines (1/2 the price) at a local supplier (plus no tax) and just could not resist!

I truly appreciate all the insight. The manufacturer of the slide motor feels confident that the motor is the problem; he said for them to start to wear out after 11 years is quite predictable, especially the one on the heaviest slide. I'll continue to monitor the batteries and change them when they obviously need it.

I just got off the phone with the distributor. $620 later, a new motor is enroute. And it's more powerful than the old one, with more torque, so maybe this'll be the fix.

Thanks again y'all! That's why I love this forum, and point as many newbies to it as I can.

dave

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Others obviously disagree but I don't believe you need new batteries and should be looking for a different solution.

I agree with you Bill. Sure the batteries are old and they probably could use replacing, but the OP clearly stated this happens when he's on shore power and/or using the generator. Not to mention his voltage readings were decent.

Would new batteries help? Maybe. They may provide a little extra capacity boost, then again the voltages were acceptable.

Our batteries are 9 years old and certainly are due for replacement, yet our slides work as good as the day they were made.

Given the age of the OPs batteries I'd probably go ahead and change them anyway. If it solved the problem, great! If it doesn't, and I don't think it will, worst case is you did some needed maintenance - and ruled out the batteries at the same time.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Others obviously disagree but I don't believe you need new batteries and should be looking for a different solution.

I agree that the specific problem is probably not his batteries. That seems unlikely to be a battery problem. But with batteries that are eight years old he is bound to have problems (if he does not already). He needs to replace that at some point and now is the right time while he can enjoy his new batteries for another eight years.

We are wrapping up a two month MH summer trip and I fixed a lot of things and replaced many old parts. MH is acting like it was brand new now -- no issues. I am now exploring to fix the silly issues that we have always had since MH was new.

I don't believe that your problem is related to the batteries. As an additional check you could also get a hydrometer to verify that the specific gravity is correct. I am guessing that it is and, if so, there is no reason to replace the batteries based upon this one specific problem. However, if these are your house batteries (deep cycle style) you will also need to ensure that it will power everything else you use in the coach for the period of time you are not connected to shore power. For many folks, that's only the time between leaving 1 park and arriving at another or arriving at home so very little capacity is necessary.

As to the slide issue, if you are outside and the wife pulls the slide in, can you push the slide ever so slightly at the beginning of the cycle and eliminate that strain? Also, as mentioned above, have you lubricated all visible areas where you have metal on metal or metal on plastic glide? If there is plastic, is it still nice and smooth or chewed up enough that it needs replacement.
Others obviously disagree but I don't believe you need new batteries and should be looking for a different solution.

When the slide starts coming in it rises up on some plastic ramps to clear the interior floor. Try spraying some silicone on the under side of the slide where these ramps rub on the ramps. This worked for me.
Blessing ;kdk

dshinnick wrote:
Folks have suggested that the slide motor might be going out, or that the batteries need to be replaced. They are the Duracell GC2 with a sticker of "10/8" on them, indicating to me that they are nearing 8 years old. I water them frequently.

The answer is easy -- replace them -- and I will explain why. I replaced my batteries and tires at 7 years. The batteries were working. Tires looked great. Batteries a little bloated looking and the tires had some cracking but nothing too terrible for 7 years.

Here is the logic -- if you are going to keep the coach for at least a few more years (and if you are confident 5 years or more), then it would be absolutely silly for you to try and squeeze out another year from these batteries. Why take that chance?

If you are planning to sell the coach tomorrow, maybe you can convince someone the batteries are fine and it is not an expense they will incur for a year or two.

There is no excuse not to change them. Unless you think you are going to keep the coach until it is exactly 17 years old and you want to squeeze out 9 years on this set and maybe get 8 years on the next and then sell it. But really, who plans anything like that? Change the batteries now

Ok, test results.

First, though, some background information.

When we bought the coach we pulled out the couch that was on the street-side slide, replaced it with a custom-made wood entertainment center, and filled it with electronics: 47" tv, stereo, directv dvr, and other miscellaneous goodies. So, the slide may well be heavier than it would otherwise. But, then, those steel-reinforced couches can be heavy too. Just not sure.

Also, when we bring that slide in, it s-l-o-w-l-y inches in at an upward angle for 5-6", then levels off, and comes in briskly from that point. And when the slide doesn't come in all the way, it's at that point, just shy of hitting that high point before leveling off, that it stops completely.

Ok, we tried bringing it in while monitoring the house batteries voltage. Before starting, it was 13.2-13.6.

The first time, when the slide "hung", the voltage got down to 12.6; no lower. I put the slide back out, and immediately the voltage started going up, back to the 13.2 range.

The next two times we tried, the slide DID get past the sticking point and came all the way in. The first time the voltage stayed in the high 12 range, and the second time it stayed above 13.

So, based on your numbers, Bill, the batteries would seem to be ok. True?

I opened up the basement compartment so I could watch the motor work as the wife hit the button to retract the slide. There was some noticeable groaning, but I *think* it was just the pvc tubes that carry some wiring rubbing into each other as they retracted. As I sat down there and watched, the wife tried to retract numerous times and it got stuck every time.

So, now I'm thinking that either the slide is too heavy, though we've been on the road for five years and I don't think its weight has changed that much. Or, the slide motor is wearing out. It may be my naiveté, but the motor *seems* like it might be easy to change. But if it's tricky I sure wouldn't want to do it myself and risk screwing something up. The plate on the motor says its a Klauber Machine and Gear model K01285D300

So, I'm waaaay open to suggestions!!

Thanks y'all-

dave

You also seem to have 5 years of assuming that the battery watering system is ok. I would make sure all the cell are at the proper level. It all starts with the battery water and then test for sg and a bad cell. Variations in performance are often related to weak cells. Watering systems are great but I have also seen them fail and destroy batteries. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

Excellent info, Bill. I just started the coach engine' as soon as the bags and the jacks are up, I'll try bringing 'er in. Stay tuned! :0)