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

[MrWizard]

People often talk in years, I answered that way the first time.
But we full-time and we dry camp almost 99% of the time
10 years of occasional weekends
Is not the same as 5 years everyday
When these battery time threads come up I ask " How Many Charge Discharge Cycle's"
Our batteries had approx 2000 cycles on them when I replaced then

50 weekends of dry camping equal 50 cycles if you recharge at home,even ten years would only be 500 cycles
And if you are a full hookup camper then the battery only does any work when your are in motion going to or coming home

[Sam_Spade]

John&Joey wrote:
The numbers I gave (which you left out) were when they are properly maintained, but I bet you knew that, and just couldn't help yourself. :B

No I included exactly what I was commenting upon.

Which was your wording that implied that heat is the ONLY thing that kills batteries. It is not.

[John_Joey]

SCVJeff wrote:

John&Joey wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

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.

The numbers I gave (which you left out) were when they are properly maintained, but I bet you knew that, and just couldn't help yourself. :B

Geeeeze, really?
I live "down south" in what could be considered high desert and I did just fine cept for ONE cell. The farthest from the engine. So there..

Santa Clarita, CA is in the deep south???? Don't get out much?

[SCVJeff]

John&Joey wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:

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.

The numbers I gave (which you left out) were when they are properly maintained, but I bet you knew that, and just couldn't help yourself. :B

Geeeeze, really?
I live "down south" in what could be considered high desert and I did just fine cept for ONE cell. The farthest from the engine. So there..

[Johnny_G1]

13 yrs and still strong, fed with 500 watts from day one and never let them get below 12v, also watermizer caps to save fluid.

[John_Joey]

Sam Spade wrote:

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.

The numbers I gave (which you left out) were when they are properly maintained, but I bet you knew that, and just couldn't help yourself. :B

[Thunder_Mountai]

I sold our 2007 HR Endeavor last November on a private sale. I disclosed everything. I'm in contact with the owner answering an occasional email. The original batteries are still going strong. I was meticulous about maintenance and instructed him on how to take care of the batteries. I told him at time of sale to replace them. Certainly barrowed time.

[SCVJeff]

Ran 4ea. U-2200's and maintained them perfectly (solar float and watering system). Every year before Quartzsite I pull them and look at the SG of each cell, log it on a spreadsheet, and flush the watering system of any debris. At year 7, the ONE battery that was until this point the most promising was the one to start failing. You can find batteries anywhere, so just keep an eye on them and change as a group when needed. We won't think you're slacking off on the maint.

[J-Rooster]

et2, I just replaced all 3 of my batteries this past week. I asked my tire guy the same question that you just posted, yesterday. My tire guy told me most people change out batteries between 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 years. So your right on with your thinking!

[Ivylog]

Like jwmil my interstate chassis battery went 11 years in the MH and then another 3 in a excavator. My AGM house batteries are at 8 years and still going strong.
Buy a hydrometer and checking each cell which will tell you how well your batteries are holding up.

[ksg5000]

B4 you toss your batteries - do a load test. If they pass the load test and your still concerned then do a driveway test. Disconnect from shore power, turn on the lights etc that would approximate your std load ... and monitor how much time it takes for the batteries to get down to approximately 50 percent level ... you might be pleasantly surprised or you might decide it's insufficient and pull the plug.

[jwmII]

My interstate chassis battery went 14 years. Was still good when I changed it out but by that time it didn't owe me anything. The house batteries went 7 years. Good battery care and maintenance really pays off.

[MrWizard]

my last set of house batteries lasted 5yrs
just put in a new set this summer

[Hudsoner]

My 12 V deep cycle batteries made it to the ripe age of 8 years.