theoldwizard1
SE MI
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ocexpress wrote:On our last trip we discovered the house batteries had gone dry during storage. They were on charge (coach plugged in)
After we filled the batteries with fluid they still did not allow us to go to battery at all.
These batteries are located under the step and are interstate deep cell gc2-ecl-uti 6v.
What do you recommend for replacements? Hate trying to fill these things up under the steps (real PITA) lol
First, the simplest replacement is standard GC2 batteries. Both Costco and Sam's have them at reasonable prices.
Second, probably just me, but I NEVER leave any battery of any type in storage, charging 24/7. The simple solution for you when you put your coach in storage is 1) disconnect the positive lead from the batteries, 2) connect a small charger (Battery Tender), 3) plug the charger into an old fashioned mechanical lamp timer set to charge about 4 hours per day.
You will still need to "water" your batteries at least weekly when you are using your coach. They do make "automatic" battery water systems, but I don't think they are a universal fit.
AGM batteries are much more expensive. Also GC2 AGM batteries are not common. You might have to special order them. Same comment aboy charging applies.
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wnjj
Cornelius, Oregon
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Water batteries weekly? That seems crazy unless the charger is over charging the batteries and boiling it out. A Progressive Dynamics (PD) charger will not harm the batteries plugged in full time. In fact it cycles as needed to keep them healthy.
I never added a drop of water in 17 years (with new battery about every 6 years).
If the OP has a cheap converter it would be money well spent to swap it out and continue using standard inexpensive batteries.
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JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
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I replaced our flooded batteries with Duracell AGM's from Sam's Club, manufactured by East Penn in the US. They are also GC2's like yours. Check your charger to see if there is an AGM setting as the charge profile is different for AGM's than for flooded.
Joe
2013 Dutch Star 4338- all electric
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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theoldwizard1 wrote:
Second, probably just me, but I NEVER leave any battery of any type in storage, charging 24/7. The simple solution for you when you put your coach in storage is 1) disconnect the positive lead from the batteries, 2) connect a small charger (Battery Tender), 3) plug the charger into an old fashioned mechanical lamp timer set to charge about 4 hours per day.
You will still need to "water" your batteries at least weekly when you are using your coach. They do make "automatic" battery water systems, but I don't think they are a universal fit.
That's a pretty broad statement to make not knowing what charging system is in the rv. if it's a good charger then there are no issues and you may have to check the water twice a year. for example my old batteries stayed plugged in 24/7 when I wasn't using the unit and they went from the old trailer to the new 5th wheel. I would have to add aprox 1/2 cup of distilled water to each of the 4 batteries, twice a year. those lasted 13 years. if you have an old single stage charger then yes you'll kill a battery pretty quick by leaving it on charge, but my theory was if I am spending 1200+ on 4 batteries for the trailer why wouldn't I spend 300 on a quality charger
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Weekly? Lol
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RedRollingRoadblock
Oregon
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If you go with lead-acid get a battery watering system, like others have said, and use it every 60 days or so. Simple to use and takes about 10 minuets start to finish. I have used Flow-Rite for years. https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2000-........428&sprefix=flow+rite%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-4 They can be ganged together for additional batteries.
As far as lifting out, GC2 batteries weigh about 65 pounds, get a battery lifting strap https://www.amazon.com/10L0L-Battery-Lif........Blifting%2Bstrap%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-6&th=1
Both items should be found at a decent auto parts store
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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ya that's the system I got for my camper as once I got the original batteries in there was no room to add water. I liked it so much I am putting it on the 5th wheel just for the convenience. the GC2 batteries I have are 89lbs each, it wasn't fun getting them into a little cubby with only 1/4" to spare height wise
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Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland Eastern Shore
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Another AGM fan here. A single 4D case size. About 215AH. No maintenance, other than terminal checking. Expected lifespan 8-10 years. Will withstand long periods in storage without a tender & with little loss of voltage.
Cost much more than wet cells but much less than lithium.
You get what you pay for. First one had a nine year lifespan sitting six months each year untended. Current AGM is five years old. Going strong.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Veebyes wrote:
Cost much more than wet cells but much less than lithium.
This isn't true anymore and hasn't been for a long time. sure there are some outliers like battle born and such that are way over priced still, but if you look at your battery for example it's what 215AH, so that is about 110AH usable for the longest life. a single 300.00US LFP will replace that and do the same job for 20 years. when you work out the usable capacity over the life span LFP are actually very cheep.
my 5th wheel has four 6v batteries which cost 1200 bucks (cdn) for me to do a couple years ago. This gives me 460AH total but 230 Usable, for the same price I could have three of those batteries (Canadian price is around 400) and have more usable power that would probably outlast three sets of GC2's easily. instead I am building three of my own that will cost me about 2000.00 cdn , but give me 840 usable AH.
Steve
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Veebyes
Bermuda & Maryland Eastern Shore
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StirCrazy wrote:Veebyes wrote:
Cost much more than wet cells but much less than lithium.
This isn't true anymore and hasn't been for a long time. sure there are some outliers like battle born and such that are way over priced still, but if you look at your battery for example it's what 215AH, so that is about 110AH usable for the longest life. a single 300.00US LFP will replace that and do the same job for 20 years. when you work out the usable capacity over the life span LFP are actually very cheep.
my 5th wheel has four 6v batteries which cost 1200 bucks (cdn) for me to do a couple years ago. This gives me 460AH total but 230 Usable, for the same price I could have three of those batteries (Canadian price is around 400) and have more usable power that would probably outlast three sets of GC2's easily. instead I am building three of my own that will cost me about 2000.00 cdn , but give me 840 usable AH.
Steve
There are loads of variables to consider when choosing a battery bank.
If you are a weekend warrior, always using a FHU site, it makes little sense to spend the money on a battery bank system best suited for dry camping.
If you have an old rig, mine was built 2007 and has had more than 2500 nights on the road, it makes little sense to spend the money on a battery bank that will last 20 years. The trailer will be gone long before that, unless it goes to a seasonal CG for it's retirement years, in which case it won't need lithium batteries.
If my rig was ten years younger and my plans were to keep it at least another ten years doing my current travel habits, which include a fair amount of dry camping, I'd be giving lithiums a serious consideration.
I don't question that lithiums are the best right now. But best for who and in what application?
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