House batteries

[Lvnlife1973]

Apologies if this has been answered before, but does anyone know if the house batteries for the 2014 Georgetowns are maintenance free?

I didn't take a pic, but the batteries look sealed to me. I'll try to take a pic tomorrow. Couldn't see anywhere on the batteries if they said what type it was.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Lvnlife1973

Apologies if this has been answered before, but does anyone know if the house batteries for the 2014 Georgetowns are maintenance free?

I didn't take a pic, but the batteries look sealed to me. I'll try to take a pic tomorrow. Couldn't see anywhere on the batteries if they said what type it was.

Do they look like these? These are NOT Maintenance Free

[Lvnlife1973]

Not quite. I'll try to take a picture.

[Lvnlife1973]

Here is the picture of the house batteries. Are those sealed?

[Iggy]

Yep they are maintenance free batteries

[Lvnlife1973]

So, just leave them alone?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Lvnlife1973

So, just leave them alone?

Would just keep the top surfaces clean to prevent "tracking" between posts.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Lvnlife1973

So, just leave them alone?

X2 on keeping them clean outside as well as terminals
Other than that your good to go until they get 3 or 4 years old.

[Lvnlife1973]

Awesome, thanks everyone!

[GT4six]

Iggy, in your opinion or experience how long do the Non-maintenance-free batt's last?

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by JKJJS

Iggy, in your opinion or experience how long do the Non-maintenance-free batt's last?

Have no idea.
I like checking and filling my batteries with distilled water when needed. Her ein Arizona it gets hot and regular batteries evaporate liquids. So I check mine regularly.

Now a maintenance free actually is sealed cells which is good.

Now will they last longer. Again I have no idea.

UPDATE
All the maintenance free battery is that the caps seal in all the liquid.
Regular battery you can remove caps and fill.

The inside size and thickness of the plates should be close if they are both from the same manufacturer.

[GT4six]

OK cool, Thanks Iggy....just wanted to get an idea.

do you feel the batteries to the top of the holes?

[petey]

howdy: I had a 12 volt battery go bad on my 2012 378ts,so I went with 2 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries and up dry camping 2 weeks ago they held up a lot longer. I usely run 2000 watt generator everyday for 2 hours with 12 volts batteries. The new 6 volts I run the same generator 45 minutes and that does the trick, very pleased with this set up. They just hold a charge a lot longer. We camp with 3 diesel pushers and they talked me into it, glad I did. Pete

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by petey

howdy: I had a 12 volt battery go bad on my 2012 378ts,so I went with 2 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries and up dry camping 2 weeks ago they held up a lot longer. I usely run 2000 watt generator everyday for 2 hours with 12 volts batteries. The new 6 volts I run the same generator 45 minutes and that does the trick, very pleased with this set up. They just hold a charge a lot longer. We camp with 3 diesel pushers and they talked me into it, glad I did. Pete

What are the specifics on the 6 volt batteries.
CCA would help and tell why they hold up longer.
They are new may be the only reason they hold up longer.

Did the two 6 volts fit ok in the same space or did yo have to modify the mount?

[petey]

these batteries are Trojan 110 the cca I forgot but will look. They fit in same place as the 12 volt batteries went. They are a little taller but not an issue.65 lbs. a piece. The cost here in Oregon was 136.00 per battery with exchange. From all the dry camping and hunting we do I have noticed the other rigs don't have to run the little generators a lot, I was. that's when these guys started talking to me about going to 6 volt. we run the little generators instead of running the big guy and saves on fuel. We usually camp about 60 miles from town. Boy I did notice my little 1000 watt Yamaha would not charge batteries, it only puts out 8.3 amps.so I went with 2000 watt and it puts out 16.7,the battery charger we have is a minimum of 16.3 to run battery charger.so all is good now. Pete

[Batts-toy]

Originally Posted by JKJJS

OK cool, Thanks Iggy....just wanted to get an idea.

do you feel the batteries to the top of the holes?

No do not fill to the top of the holes, if you look into the holes you will see that the plastic goes down into the battery a little with a slot on one side, you want to bring the level up to the bottom of the plastic piece leaving space at the slotted side of it so the battery can breathe. If you fill all the way to the top you will have acid running out the holes and onto whatever is available in the area so leave them room to breathe.

[petey]

thanks a lot when I got these guys I looked inside where water level was and said that's the water level. Just like you said. Pete

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Iggy

What are the specifics on the 6 volt batteries.
CCA would help and tell why they hold up longer.
They are new may be the only reason they hold up longer.

Did the two 6 volts fit ok in the same space or did yo have to modify the mount?

CCA means nothing in a 6 volt deep cycle. The important spec is the 20 hour AmpHour rating, which should be about 200 AH. That means the battery will supply 200 AH in 20 hours. but you need two of them to produce this AH spec at 12 volts.

The 6 volt approach is a good way to go IMO.

You should limit the discharge to about 50% of rating, so you have about 100 amps of usable power and they will last along time.

Get a good battery monitor to keep tabs on them and keep them watered and the will last 5-7 years.

Maintenance free 12 volts will last about 3=5 years if you are careful with them.

[petey]

thanks garbonz,this is true the batteries are not rated cca,on mine they say 225amp. hours. This is my first set of these and I will take care of them. I just got to remember to plug motor home in during winter, to keep them above 50%. thanks again Pete

[kittyskeeper]

Doesn't 200 amp/hrs mean 10 amps for 20 hours or another way would be 1 amp for 200 hours??