So, how old are your batteries?

[et2]

Yes, I did a search. Our coach is just over three years old. I know there will probably be a wide difference in opinions. What I'm trying to determine is the best point to replace all my batteries. The battery maintenance has been kept up since new. They are on a float charger ( only charges when required). There is a battery watering system that is used to top off the battery's when needed. Voltage is tested before each watering and all batteries test good.

So it boils down to this, instead of waiting for a failure ( which isn't the way I maintain things) what do you think is the best time to switch them out? I'm thinking 4 or 5 years? Thoughts?

Thanks

[tinkerer]

7 years ago I bought 4 golf cart batteries from our farm automotive store which were made by Johnson controls. This year it seemed they didn't hold charge as good as they used to. I figured 7 years is a good life and replaced them with the same batteries made by Johnson Controls. Bottom line is that they cost me $91.00 per battery with exchange.

[tommy_g]

My first house batteries(2 6v deep cycle Interstate Workhorse) lasted 14 years with proper maintenance and a smart charge system. The present ones (Duracell golf cart 6v) are 4 years old and still ok. The chassis battery is a different story. Since it is a "maintenance free", I cannot check levels and properly look after it . Cleaning and maintaining a good charge has helped, so I'm only on the third one in 18 years. It is five years old and beginning to drag a little at start and will run down when I leave the auto step on. I guess it's time for another five year battery.
.

[korbe]

Triker33 wrote:
T-105 6V batteries has lasted over 7 years on 2 different sets.
last Chassis set lasted 9 years.

Yep, been 8-years so far. My key is to watch them, don't over-charge, don't discharge below 50-percent, and disconnect when just sittin' around for awhile.

[Bruce_Brown]

I just changed ours out at the 9 year mark. I sent the house batteries to the recycle center, I put the starting batteries in my Allis 7000 tractor.

[Triker33]

T-105 6V batteries has lasted over 7 years on 2 different sets.
last Chassis set lasted 9 years.

[big_jim_2]

Mine were eight years old and still worked good but trouble with slides made me think new batteries would help. (They didn't).

[2oldman]

4-5 years is about right.

[RoyB]

My four each 12VDC standard issue 85AH Interstates GP24s that came with the trailer was installed in 2008. I lost one right away because the trailer was using a ELIXIR ELX30A single mode converter/charger. This boiled out the fluids in one of my 12V Interstates which I didn't cath right away and resulted in a shorted cell. I upgraded the ELX30A Converter to a PD9260C Converter/charger unit and the remaining three 85AH batteries are just now going away on me. Hopefully I will get two groups of 6VDC Golf Cart batteries in series going this season giving my 440AHs Battery capacity.

I have been doing quite well using the three 85AHs Interstates since 2009 giving me 255AHs capacity. We normally camp off the power grid and have really give these batteries a big workout over the years...

Hoping my two groups of GC2 6VDC batteries will do the same for me...

Roy Ken

[Sam_Spade]

John&Joey wrote:
Heat is what kills batteries.

It is one factor but not the only one.
It makes proper use and maintenance more important.

[Tim_Nowicki]

House batteries on my pace arrow are going on ten years. Still taking and holding a charge. Two 6 volt golf cart batteries. Minimal maintance, charged every now and then. Disconnected when motorhome is stored.

Tim

[Sam_Spade]

darsben1 wrote:
If that makes you happy AND you can spare the money then HAVE AT HER. If you maintain the batteries they should not suffer a catastrophic failure just a slow decline. Eventually you will notice that they do not last as long or they do not charge all the way up when tested

This.

[10forty2]

Do a load test and see how they hold up. Judge from there if they can make it another season. If not, then replace.

[John_Joey]

Heat is what kills batteries. You can have a golf cart up north that might go 10 years while down in the deep south the batteries might only last 3.

If you're in MI I'm thinking 5-7.

[darsben1]

If that makes you happy AND you can spare the money then HAVE AT HER. If you maintain the batteries they should not suffer a catastrophic failure just a slow decline. Eventually you will notice that they do not last as long or they do not charge all the way up when tested