Forum Discussion

westend's avatar
westend
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014

Seasonal battery maintenance

'Tis the season for checking the batteries in the RV and doing any seasonal maintenance, I figure. The snow has finally melted and was out in the yard checking out the trailer, I'm sure some guys are doing the same. Any tips for seasonal maintenance?

My two banks were hooked in parallel with the solar charging and I've checked, periodically, through the last 6 months to see that voltages remained up. That entailed cycling the Victron monitor and noting the measured voltage. Today, at mid-day the Victron showed 14.2-3V, ambient 60f (15.5C). The 15 amp Morningstar charger was in float. I double checked voltages with my Fluke meter and were identical to the Victron. I pulled some acid out of the 2 GC2's and the SG was off the charts, 13.0, even calibrated for temp. I should get a call back to Frease Glass Works to start the transaction process, again, for a new hydrometer. I just don't trust the cheap one I have. Electrolyte levels were good-to-go.

All my connections looked clean and good but one thing I'll be doing is getting some protectant on the terminals to insure they stay that way.

Overall, it looks like my batteries stayed charged all Winter and appear to be in great shape. Solar charging is just too easy.
  • SteveAE's avatar
    SteveAE
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    westend wrote:
    ............. Solar charging is just too easy.


    I agree and often wonder why everyone doesn't have it.
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    ---snip--- Or try and tell the owner of a tube type MacIntosh stereo system that Mozart sounds better generated through an integrated circuit.
    It doesn't.. :)

    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Draw samples into a glass tube, it's automatic. Don'tcha just love wiping off the lens of the refractometer six times?
    Thats why it was a question..
    My lingering problem with glass, even though it's been used since the beginning of time is the sticktion of the float to the side.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    Draw and squirt and you help mix electrolyte. New does not necessarily mean better, it simply means "different". Try to use a digital gauge when values are fluctuating. Or try and tell the owner of a tube type MacIntosh stereo system that Mozart sounds better generated through an integrated circuit.

    Draw samples into a glass tube, it's automatic. Don'tcha just love wiping off the lens of the refractometer six times?
  • mena661's avatar
    mena661
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    westend wrote:

    I hear stories on the Forum about clothing full of holes but I don't have those issues.
    Me either. You won't be disappointed in the Freas.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2014
    SCVJeff wrote:
    I use one to check Salinity in my reef tank, and it takes exactly 1 drop of water but works great. But being acid, one drop can drill a hole right through your pants too.

    The "mess" I would anticipate is dumping the acid and cleaning the device for each cell. I'm pretty skillful with a hydrometer, what goes in gets put directly back in each cell. At the end of all measurement, I grab a bottle of water and give the hydrometer a triple rinse and back into storage it goes. My batteries have good top side access so the hydrometer tube never comes out of the cell.
    I hear stories on the Forum about clothing full of holes but I don't have those issues.
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2014
    I use one to check Salinity in my reef tank, and it takes exactly 1 drop of water but works great. But being acid, one drop can drill a hole right through your pants too.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2014
    SCVJeff wrote:
    I wonder how well a Refractometer works ?

    Was wondering the same but I know the Freas hydrometers were the de facto standard for many years. Something also makes me think the refractometer would be a bit more messy. Maybe that's just old guy resistance to change thing, however.

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