New Batteries

ramair · 01-16-2015, 02:19 AM

Well I think it may be time to get new batteries. The batteries are the ones that came in the MH and the dates are 12/11 and 1/12. The reason is the dang propane detector keeps going off intermittently and always when you don't want it to.

I checked the batteries and they show 12.9 and checked the converter and it is reading 13.2. Need to do some more reading at the battery when they are disconnected and see what it reads. I have checked and added some distilled water. Also thought of disconnecting or turning off the converter and using my battery charger and see what that does. Its been raining in Fl and hope tomorrow will be dry. Has anyone have info on the following

uracell® AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 34M. The reason for the sealed is so I wont have to worry about gases from the battery setting of the alarm.

we do not boondock and the only time we are unplugged is traveling.

Want to shout out a big thanks to Iggy for his assistance and need to buy him a beer when we meet

rana · 01-16-2015, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramair

Has anyone have info on the following

uracell® AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 34M. The reason for the sealed is so I wont have to worry about gases from the battery setting of the alarm.

More than likely, your detector going off is not due to off-gassing from your wet cells, but a low voltage warning.

Sounds like you're on the right track. You'll want to disconnect and let your batteries "rest" overnight.. then take a new reading. After that, you might re-connect, put a load on (maybe 5amps) and monitor continuously. That will give you a good idea of how well your batteries are holding a charge.

As for batteries.. in that class.. I would be looking more at the group 27 or group 31 battery. You'll get more bang for your buck. AGM's are really nice to just "set and forget", but I really don't think off-gassing is causing your alarm. As such, I don't think it would hurt to just stay with wet-cells and save a few bucks.

JMHO

ramair · 01-16-2015, 03:24 AM

If I disconnect the neg terminal on the battery can I keep the converter on to keep everything going? Or should I turn the converter off.

Roving Ron · 01-16-2015, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramair

If I disconnect the neg terminal on the battery can I keep the converter on to keep everything going? Or should I turn the converter off.

You can leave the converter on to power your rig.

Grey Nomads, Ron and Sue

ramair · 01-16-2015, 03:38 AM

One more quick question can I just disconnect one of the neg terminals or do I need to disconnect them both"

rana · 01-16-2015, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramair

One more quick question can I just disconnect one of the neg terminals or do I need to disconnect them both"

Both is better to get the best reading, but just the neg is fine.

BillMFl · 01-16-2015, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramair

One more quick question can I just disconnect one of the neg terminals or do I need to disconnect them both"

If you disconnect the negative cable that goes to ground (not the one that connects the two batteries) no current will flow into or out of the batteries. Also, my alarm used to go off frequently until I replaced the batteries with two SEALED group 24 deep cycle. No more alarms!

MattL · 01-16-2015, 12:24 PM

I used to have these batteries in my boat and they lasted forever. Could run my trolling motor for hours off of it. Might be worth a look into.

DEKA 6TMF Military Ordinance Battery | 6TL Battery | NSN 6140-01-485-1472

ramair · 01-16-2015, 02:34 PM

Batteries are disconnected and taking them to get load tested, see what happens then. Reading on them is 12.97 on both and have been disconnected for approx. 3 hrs. we'll keep you advised.

Newellri · 01-16-2015, 05:28 PM

I had the same problem on still nights, tried oil in battery's, it helped some but not a cure. Finally put in a pair of sealed battery's and that has made a huge difference. Some problems this year with propane leakage setting it off, but I think we have found the problem with that.

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wana65stang · 01-16-2015, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newellri

I had the same problem on still nights, tried oil in battery's, it helped some but not a cure.

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OIL IN THE BATTERY????

nicholsonv · 01-16-2015, 10:12 PM

I've had good luck with NAPA auto parts. Winnebago uses their batteries and I had to replace my coach batteries in my 337GT after 2 weeks of ownership. About $195 for 2.

camaraderie · 01-16-2015, 10:26 PM

The group 34' AGM's are quite small for RV use. Suggest you go with at a minimum a group 24 pair...27 or 31 would be better still. The Duracel AGM's are made by EastPenn/Deka and are the functional equivilent of the Deka Intimidators I often recommend... just get the right size and make SURE the model number ends in DC.
http://www.driveduracell.com/assets/...image/1686.pdf
Compare using the 20 hour rating.

rxfiller · 01-16-2015, 10:58 PM

If you're a Sam's Club member, they have Duracell Class 31 AGM's that are great. I just put a pair in the RV this week:

Duracell® AGM Deep Cycle Marine and RV Battery - Group Size 31 - Sam's Club

ramair · 01-16-2015, 11:10 PM

Well I had to replace the batteries, had to go to Oreille's and had them load tested ok but took a lot of volts out of them I had them do a charge since it was free and when I went back to get them one was leaking acid, so I purchased the same size battery which is a 27 series and believe its a 27 DCM (Deep Cycle Marine). So I hope not to have any issues with these or the alarm going off. Price with military discount was Approx. $80 a piece. We'll see have good these are in time...

davido_ · 01-16-2015, 11:25 PM

Sounds like you are on the right track.

A Group 27 will typically have 95-105AH capacity. A pair of them in good condition will give you 190-210AH. Of course you want to stay in the 50-100% range on charge state, so that gives you 95-105AH usable. Everyone's energy needs are different, but for me that would be plenty.

ramair · 01-16-2015, 11:35 PM

We don't boondock and the only time we are not plugged in is during traveling and then sometimes we run the generator.

camaraderie · 01-16-2015, 11:38 PM

So if I understand you correctly you bought a WET cell DCM group 27 to mate with your other existing several year old battery??
Bad move. You don't mate batteries which are significantly different in age without damaging the capacity and life of the new one. Suggest going back for battery #2 as well. Good price on a group 27 if TRUE deep cycle and not a dual use deep cycle. What brand?
Apologies if I am assuming you only bought one in error!

ramair · 01-17-2015, 12:45 AM

camaraderie--- I did purchase 2 batteries I know not to mix old with new and I think they were O'reilly's brand.

rana · 01-17-2015, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Good price on a group 27 if TRUE deep cycle and not a dual use deep cycle.

Dual use it looks like. If you're happy with those, I say more power to you.. and they will likely fit your needs for awhile.

If it were me... and I had a little time to shop around, I would take them back. For $80 a pop, you could get into a "true" deep cycle that would give you a little more bang for your buck.

I would check out your local Sam's Club/Costco if you have one.

But then again, being able to cross off a "to do" from my list is often worth a bit of "convenience" and a few extra bucks.

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