Question When to replace Chassis batteries?

[Neal]

This morning's start in slightly cool weather was a slow crank but good start. I was thinking when is the time to replace the chassis (not house) batteries? Wait for a failure or preempt it with a routine replacement?

I'm heading to Gaffney (Freightliner) next September for my annual service, a little later than normal which is an April visit but due to travel plans I have to make it later. I'm thinking that will be year 4 on the batteries, actually 4 1/2 years from chassis build date and may just get them replaced then assuming Gaffney can change them, or change them myself. Probably going to get steer tires replaced on that visit too.

Anyone decided to replace the batteries before they failed? If so, when did you or if you're planning to replace them when is your timeline for doing so?

 

[Buly]

My batteries are going on 7 years and still doing fine. Last week I saw a 2016 DS was getting new chassis batteries at the RV park.
Will keep mine until I notice reduced performance. You are better off getting a local battery place to replace them.
Newmar could be pricey.

 

[sheridany]

It’s pricey given the 8 6v in the VTDP. I want to say close to $1500 for the batteries. I had two fail individual testing so it was recommended to replace all. I am not convinced that’s necessary but I don’t know for sure.

 

[flyboy013]

I swapped my batteries out at two years for AGM batteries.

Did you happen to notice what the chassis battery voltage was prior to starting? Could the batteries have been slightly low where the charge bridge was about to kick in? I installed a 12V smart switch that enables me to send a 12V signal to the charge bridge to activate the solenoid. Having the solenoid activated in the hours before departure will help ensure a sufficient charged battery.

 

[RKins]

@Neal Test the batteries with a voltmeter and a hydrometer.

How to Use a Battery Hydrometer - Deep Cycle Battery Store

Test deep cycle batteries accurately with a battery hydrometer $10 ea. This is performed by measuring the density of the electrolyte. (619) 448-5323

deepcyclebatterystore.com

 

[AbdRahim]

I usually plan on replacinf all the batteries at 5-6 years. Last RV I replaced them all at 5 years. This was a gasser. Some of the diesels have much larger batteries so, I don't know if they last longer or not.

 

[J&JD]

Neal, even though your chassis batteries are “sealed” they can easily get low on electrolyte. I would pop off the seal and check. DSDon on the other side just had a post on the topic a few weeks ago.

 

[Neal]

Neal, even though your chassis batteries are “sealed” they can easily get low on electrolyte. I would pop off the seal and check. DSDon on the other side just had a post on the topic a few weeks ago.

I know @Dutch Star Don did this and from what I researched and heard from techs is this is NOT to be done. These batteries are sealed for a reason, breaking the seal is bad. Google about adding water to AGM's - I can't remember my google search used but I learned to not do this.

 

[J&JD]

I know @Dutch Star Don did this and from what I researched and heard from techs is this is NOT to be done. These batteries are sealed for a reason, breaking the seal is bad. Google about adding water to AGM's - I can't remember my google search used but I learned to not do this.

The chassis batteries are not AGM, at least in most of the coaches. They are just standard “wet” batteries but don’t have fill caps. They can still be popped opened and the fluid checked.

 

[Soniccruzer]

The chassis batteries are not AGM, at least in most of the coaches. They are just standard “wet” batteries but don’t have fill caps. They can still be popped opened and the fluid checked.

I agree chassis batteries are wet cells. The Spartan academy said that should be checked yearly.

 

[Neal]

The chassis batteries are not AGM, at least in most of the coaches. They are just standard “wet” batteries but don’t have fill caps. They can still be popped opened and the fluid checked.

Thanks for the clarification, I thought they were sealed.

 

["EZ"]

I usually wait until my chassis batteries start showing visible signs of failing to start. If they fail, you can always use the battery rocker button on the arm rest that will use the house batteries to start the coach. Just hold it down for a few minutes and turn the key again. It'll probably start. Then go to Auto Zone or wherever and get a couple more. They sell them everywhere.

 

[ARD]

Anyone decided to replace the batteries before they failed? If so, when did you or if you're planning to replace them when is your timeline for doing so?

Spartan told me the chassis batteries should last 5-7 years, but I wanted them to check them to see how they are doing. They did a load test and felt they were in good condition. You might want to spend the $130 ( I don't know what they charge at FL) and have them load test the chassis before investing in new batteries.

 

[ARD]

Neal, even though your chassis batteries are “sealed” they can easily get low on electrolyte. I would pop off the seal and check. DSDon on the other side just had a post on the topic a few weeks ago.

Because of that thread, I asked Spartan to check if they were low and the techs advised against breaking the seal and checking. I had also been told Big Mike was telling participants in the Owners Class to do this and again the techs said no and were going to tell him to stop advising people to break seal. So instead I had them load test the batteries.

 

[Buly]

I could have spoken too soon?
On Sunday, on start up, I noticed on my dash a brief message LOW VOLTAGE! Did not see it the next 3 days. So I’m thinking that was the 3rd start that morning, and it may have brought the batteries a bit low? Will keep an eye on them more closely.

 

[Neal]

On Sunday, on start up, I noticed on my dash a brief message LOW VOLTAGE!

Common and nothing to worry about. It's the huge voltage spike causing this and just how the FL dash is programmed when they should have coded that out.

 

[J&JD]

I could have spoken too soon?
On Sunday, on start up, I noticed on my dash a brief message LOW VOLTAGE! Did not see it the next 3 days. So I’m thinking that was the 3rd start that morning, and it may have brought the batteries a bit low? Will keep an eye on them more closely.

I get that all the time. Drives me nuts even though I know to ignore it.

 

[Buly]

I get that all the time. Drives me nuts even though I know to ignore it.

I feel better now ? thanks

 

[Rod]

Because of that thread, I asked Spartan to check if they were low and the techs advised against breaking the seal and checking. I had also been told Big Mike was telling participants in the Owners Class to do this and again the techs said no and were going to tell him to stop advising people to break seal. So instead I had them load test the batteries.

The electrolyte level in wet cell batteries does go down over time, even in the so called "sealed" wet cells. From the sealed batteries I have used over the years, "sealed" simply means harder to get into. No screw off or elevated filler caps, so the caps have to be pried off using a wide screwdriver, usually two caps, each covering three holes. I have never seen "a seal".

So we have one of two choices to make:

1.) Don't check the electrolyte and hope everything is ok. First couple of years should be fine depending on use and ambient temps. At some point however, the electrolyte most likely will get too low and then you have to replace the batteries. Once a year checks can prevent this.
2.) Check the electrolyte and rest assured that issue is not going to be the cause of bad chassis batteries.