Battery water

[Btm]

On my GT 5 the factory placed the battery cables across the tops of several water caps. I cannot check or add water to some cells without loosening the cables at the positive or negative terminals to move them.

Can I turn off the battery switch just inside the door to stop any arcing and prevent the need to reset anything ?

After moving the cables, adding water ( distilled)if needed, retightening the cables is there anything else to do?

Btm

[kenandterry]

Turning off the battery switch may not control everything 12 volt.
Do you see other wires that run directly to the positive post?
This will typically be for the steps, or LP detector, or awning.

BEFORE ANYTHING....TAKE PHOTOS OF HOW YOUR WIRING EXISTS TODAY.
THIS IS ASSUMING EVERYTHING WORKS PROPERLY BEFORE STARTING WORK.

In order to disconnect the batteries properly, make sure you’re not plugged into any outlet, battery switch to the OFF position, and then carefully remove the negative cable connected to the chassis. Remove what cables are needed to properly fill the cells that need distilled water. When finished, connect the cables in the reverse order.
Hopefully you have a digital meter, and can record the system voltage every step mentioned above.
Finally, plug your RV cord in to power. Then, turn ON the battery switch, and you should see the voltages increase as the converter does it’s job.

[NXR]

Kenandterry has it correct. If you want it to be simpler the next time and have a spare hundred dollars, install a Flow-Rite system. Drop the tube from the hand pump into the water jug and the floats inside each cell will stop adding water when that cell is full. You might want one for the chassis battery as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

One thing to consider is to wrap the ground and the positive cable ends in tape to prevent them from moving and hitting the battery terminals while they're disconnected. I usually just stick the terminal end in a nitrile glove.

I have to remove all of the cables but that's not much work. We were in FL for four months and I checked the batteries about a month before we left. I checked them once on the trip and did not have to add any water. When we got back I removed them to clean up the compartment and only one cell needed water and its plates were not exposed. So that four-stage Progressive Dynamics converter we have does a great job at not boiling the batteries.

Ray

[Btm]

Thanks for the info. Will do tomorrow if it doesn't rain.


Btm

[wtbuck12]

Just curious, these fit 12V batteries, do they have one that fits the 6V house batteries?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by wtbuck12

Just curious, these fit 12V batteries, do they have one that fits the 6V house batteries?

I was not aware there was a cell size difference. Interesting.

They have a lot of products listed on their website. I'd start there: https://store.flow-rite.com/products...g-systems.html

Ray

[ds41crane]

I did the Flow Rite Quick Fill w/hand pump for my house batteries also but in less than a year the tubes were getting slimy from battery acid vapor. I tore that system out & ponied up for 2 AGM house batteries. Always wondered if the tubes in my system were somehow not to spec.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by ds41crane

I did the Flow Rite Quick Fill w/hand pump for my house batteries also but in less than a year the tubes were getting slimy from battery acid vapor. I tore that system out & ponied up for 2 AGM house batteries. Always wondered if the tubes in my system were somehow not to spec.

On the outside of the tubing?

Were they deteriorating internally then and it was affecting the tubing integrity?

Ray

[ds41crane]

Originally Posted by NXR

On the outside of the tubing?

Were they deteriorating internally then and it was affecting the tubing integrity?

Ray

Outside of the tubes looked ok but the tubes felt spongy, as I disconnected the tubes while rearranging the layout each connection felt slimy which transferred to my gloves. What was going on, I don’t know, whatever was causing it could be transferred into cells of both batteries whenever I watered up, so ripped it out.