Battery replacement

[Tioga montara]

House batteries aren't holding a charge. Found some everstart group 24dc at Walmart for replacement. Is there anything special I need to do befor disconnecting? I plan on turning off the aux power, motor and generator will be off. Is there a fuse to pull or anything else? Dont feel like getting electrocuted.

 

[GTS225]

Well, you've done a very important step already. You have photo documentatiom of how it's hooked up, BEFORE disconnecting it. We've heard too many horror stories of folks disconnecting, and then connecting in reversed polarity, destroying parts of thier electrical system.
Yours is 24vdc, and it would charge at maybe 28 volts. It takes about 40-45 volts to penetrate dry human skin, so electrocution is a very slim possibility. The biggest worry is grounding out that positive lead with a wrench while you're trying to loosen the clamping bolts.

Now, I'm not familiar with the particular battery you mentioned, but it sounds like a standard automotive battery. You can do a fair bit better for not a whole lot more money. A deep cycle RV/marine battery allows you to draw more power before battery damage starts occuring.

Just my 2-pence.....Roger

 

[sanda]

I would replace the 2 twelves with 2- 6 volts.

 

[Rich W.]

Well, you've done a very important step already. You have photo documentatiom of how it's hooked up, BEFORE disconnecting it. We've heard too many horror stories of folks disconnecting, and then connecting in reversed polarity, destroying parts of thier electrical system.
Yours is 24vdc, and it would charge at maybe 28 volts. It takes about 40-45 volts to penetrate dry human skin, so electrocution is a very slim possibility. The biggest worry is grounding out that positive lead with a wrench while you're trying to loosen the clamping bolts.

Now, I'm not familiar with the particular battery you mentioned, but it sounds like a standard automotive battery. You can do a fair bit better for not a whole lot more money. A deep cycle RV/marine battery allows you to draw more power before battery damage starts occuring.

Just my 2-pence.....Roger

First I didn’t notice the 24v configuration until you memtioned it. Is this common in RV’s? I had 24v on my sail boat for the winches and anchor, but other than my own creations, haven’t seen this on an RV.

Also I concur - no hazard of electrocution but there is the possibility of unintentional welding, so removing the negative cables before putting tools to the positive will eliminate this potential.

On batteries, I guess the price was right given the sourse, amdmas long as you are careful about maintaining them and avoid excessive discharges, you should get some reasonable life out of them This is an bit long but well worth the read: How To Maintain Batteries - Deep Cycle Battery Store

 

[GTS225]

Rich......I'm wrong! I don't know where that came from this morning, (maybe a senior moment), but you have a 12vdc system. (2 batts, +to+ and -to-). That's 12 volts, with higher available amperage. My appologies. (minus-to-plus, is the 24vdc system.)

The rest of what I said this morning is correct. You might want to investigate AGM type of lead-acid batteries, too. They're lighter weight, and still have good reserve power.

Sanda's suggestion of two, 6-volts isn't out of line, either. Two 6-volters, wired in series, still gives you the 12vdc, but equal or higher reserve than the two, 12-volters in parallel. If you foresee doing some boondocking, it might be worth considering.

Roger

 

[Tioga montara]

What's the comparable 6v size for a 12v group 24? Would it be gc2? And would I need to do anything to the factory installed charger?

 

[TheLooks]

No on the charger or converter. It is still seeing 12 volts. As to battery size, a tape measure will assure a correct fit. And if you have the space, go to a 27 size. Even more power.

 

[sanda]

If you ask Google it will give you the battery dimensions.

 

[sanda]

The 6 volt batteries are a little taller.

 

[Tioga montara]

Ending up getting two 6v gc2 batteries. It was $100 more total but twice the amp hours. Thanks

 

[Rich W.]

Rich......I'm wrong! I don't know where that came from this morning, (maybe a senior moment), but you have a 12vdc system. (2 batts, +to+ and -to-). That's 12 volts, with higher available amperage. My appologies. (minus-to-plus, is the 24vdc system.)

The rest of what I said this morning is correct. You might want to investigate AGM type of lead-acid batteries, too. They're lighter weight, and still have good reserve power.

Sanda's suggestion of two, 6-volts isn't out of line, either. Two 6-volters, wired in series, still gives you the 12vdc, but equal or higher reserve than the two, 12-volters in parallel. If you foresee doing some boondocking, it might be worth considering.

Roger

I should have picked up on that too but didnt. Anyway sounds like the OP made a good choice.

To the OP, in case this is new to you, remember when calculating the Ah of your battery bank, if the batteries are wired in parallel the voltage stays the same but the Ah doubles (the way it is in the pic); when you wire the 6v batteries in series you double the voltage (to get your 12v) but the Ah stays at the value of one battery.

 

[JRS]

Ending up getting two 6v gc2 batteries. It was $100 more total but twice the amp hours. Thanks

Now here's a thought and I'm actually thinking of going this route with 6V Golf Cart Bats when the time comes to replacing my AGMs. I've read numerous times of people doing it. Just this week finally spoke to a campground neighbor who's been doing it for years. He's tried using only 2 oz/cell of regular mineral oil but found that 3oz/cell works better. The oil keeps the cells from boiling/gassing up, keeps the battery tray clean, from having to check and add distilled water so often.
He's had his 6 volt batteries lasting for years. Just take out 3oz of electrolyte out of each cell and replace with 3oz of the mineral oil. I've read of people using 2 to 4 oz/cell.
It was good to finally meet someone who actually uses mineral oil.