Bay Star 2022, model 3408 house battery connections

[SteveG]

Our rig has four 6 VDC batteries mounted in a tray located on the driver’s side. Two more 6VDC batteries are mounted in the engine compartment. These six batteries are electrically connected and are considered together to be the “house” batteries. However, I cannot determine the location where the wiring physically connects the six batteries together.

When I checked on the battery fluid levels (1) The four batteries required a lot of water. (2) the two batteries did not require much water. I have no battery problem that I am aware of. Because the two batteries do not seem to be working as hard as the four batteries, I am trying to determine a way to know that the two batteries are still electrically apart of the house battery circuit.

 

[SteveG]

More information.

About four months ago when I checked the fluid levels of the two front batteries, when I removed the positive battery protective covering of one of the two batteries, I discovered that the cable was not physically connected to the battery. The nut was gone, and the cable was floating off the battery lug. These two batteries had been out of the six-battery circuit for “X” time period. Because the batteries were not working, no additional battery water was required for either battery.

At no time during “X” period did I sense that there was a battery problem. This included when I pre-trip cooled the refrigerator overnight using the inverter. We only have a portion of a 20 AC amp circuit to charge the batteries with a trickle charger. We arrive in storage fully charged and trickle charging will maintain the full charge. This means that there were only four batteries being used by the inverter and not four.

 

[Sealyn]

Just a FYI, when flooded batteries start using more and more water it's time to consider replacement. I would recommend replacing all 6 with AGM batteries.

 

[SteveG]

I agree about the water use. The mystery is why are six batteries not using the same amount of water.

 

[Sealyn]

You said the front two were disconnected.

 

[osuallen]

I used to have a Canyon Star with the same battery arrangement. It was not uncommon for the two battery banks to not require the same amount of water. I used a battery water system so could not comment on each individual battery.

 

[SteveG]

At one time I did find the front batteries were disconnected. I mention that as a reference for water use. Would not be using water if not used. And now, with all six batteries connected into the circuit, the front two still not using water. I squeezed into the four batteries with a bulb squeezer system a little over a quart of water. With the front two batteries which I can easily see and access I used a hand bulb and added not more than 2-3 oz. into each battery. I will call Newmar to see if they will tell me where the two batteries and the four batteries are physically wired together to be sure they are in fact operating as a six battery circuit.

 

[Sealyn]

Batteries use more and more water as they age, depending on how long the front batteries were disconnected there could be a big in use age difference in your batteries. Also the long cable run between the banks will effect the charging rates. When you decide to replace them, be sure to replace all 6 with the same type/size.