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Old 12-24-2015, 11:09 AM   #1
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BlackJack was thirsty....

Although Xmas eve, it is going to be a warm one near 70. I went and turned off the dehumidifier, cracked the vent and opened up the trailer. I installed new dual 6 volts earlier this year so I removed the cushion to check the battery levels. Using a unused condiment bottle I topped off the electrolyte levels. Total was about a quart for all six caps. The plates were all covered, but the amount of liquid in these units is enormous. Seems to take a lot to raise the level one inch. Just a reminder to keep those plates covered.
Merry Christmas
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Old 12-24-2015, 11:28 AM   #2
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How full did you fill them?
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Old 12-24-2015, 11:32 AM   #3
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up to right below the lip of the bottom opening, about 1.5 inches below the top.
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Old 12-24-2015, 12:34 PM   #4
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There's an indicator ring you can see when you pull the cap off. Add distilled water up to that ring. I use a turkey baster purchased from the Dollar store.
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Old 12-24-2015, 12:44 PM   #5
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I use my battery hydrometer to add water.
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Old 12-24-2015, 12:59 PM   #6
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up to right below the lip of the bottom opening, about 1.5 inches below the top.
Sounds right, surprised you needed so much H2O.
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Old 12-24-2015, 01:03 PM   #7
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I picked up one of these when we got the trailer:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...E98XKXNJY99Y0C

Works well, and you don't have to eyeball anything - automatically at the right fill level. Only thing is to remember to push down hard when filling, so the auto shutoff works as designed.
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Old 12-24-2015, 01:15 PM   #8
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With the dual sixers you only have access to 50% easily, the other 3 are way back and you need a light and a mirror to look down. I filled them right up below the ring, maybe 1/8" below. This was my first refill, they may not haven been 100% full when I installed them.
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Old 12-24-2015, 01:44 PM   #9
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I use a Pro-Fill onboard battery watering system. It has a series of tubes and replacement caps. Once installed, you hook up the bulb shaped "pump," put the open ended tube in a bottle of distilled water, and squeeze away until resistance is felt when squeezing the bulb. Automatically fills all cell to the proper level and whole process takes 5 minutes. 4-1/2 of those minutes are hooking up the pump and getting the distilled water. About $50 but extremely simple.
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Old 12-24-2015, 01:49 PM   #10
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With the dual sixers you only have access to 50% easily, the other 3 are way back and you need a light and a mirror to look down. I filled them right up below the ring, maybe 1/8" below. This was my first refill, they may not haven been 100% full when I installed them.
I think I remember reading somewhere that new batteries may consume more water for the first few cycles? Not sure why it would be if its true...
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Old 12-24-2015, 01:57 PM   #11
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I use this one, it has a filter screen and shut off valve which is very helpful for the hard to get to cells...

Hopkins/Measu-funnel 10704 - Read 1 Reviews on Hopkins #10704
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Old 12-24-2015, 02:08 PM   #12
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Interstate Batteries FAQ :: How do I maintain my battery?

Checking and filling Interstate Batteries
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Old 12-24-2015, 02:41 PM   #13
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With the dual sixers you only have access to 50% easily, the other 3 are way back and you need a light and a mirror to look down. I filled them right up below the ring, maybe 1/8" below. This was my first refill, they may not haven been 100% full when I installed them.
We have the u-shaped dinette so the batteries are fairly easy to get at. I wonder if they didn't move them more toward the center since you got yours. I topped ours off before it went to storage and I doubt if they even took a couple of table spoons. Loren
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Old 12-24-2015, 02:43 PM   #14
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I picked up one of these when we got the trailer:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...E98XKXNJY99Y0C

Works well, and you don't have to eyeball anything - automatically at the right fill level. Only thing is to remember to push down hard when filling, so the auto shutoff works as designed.
I haven't seen one of these since I worked at a Texaco station. Not sure of the year, but gas was 33.9 cents/gal.
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Old 12-24-2015, 02:49 PM   #15
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There's all kinds of fancy gadgets to do all kinds of things... but, I'm cheap! Headlamp, a mirror, turkey baster and a gallon of distilled water and I'll be able to do the maintenance work on Ten Forward's batteries for years.

Now, if someone comes up with an auto-tire filler... I'd be all over that
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Old 12-24-2015, 04:08 PM   #16
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There's all kinds of fancy gadgets to do all kinds of things... but, I'm cheap! Headlamp, a mirror, turkey baster and a gallon of distilled water and I'll be able to do the maintenance work on Ten Forward's batteries for years.

Now, if someone comes up with an auto-tire filler... I'd be all over that
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Old 12-24-2015, 07:00 PM   #17
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We have the u-shaped dinette so the batteries are fairly easy to get at. I wonder if they didn't move them more toward the center since you got yours. I topped ours off before it went to storage and I doubt if they even took a couple of table spoons. Loren
Jim's was a group 29 that he converted to twin 6's. My 2014 came with the 2 6's and they are easy to access. Obviously different battery placements.
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Old 12-24-2015, 08:01 PM   #18
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With the dual sixers you only have access to 50% easily, the other 3 are way back and you need a light and a mirror to look down..
True, in a 21. In my 19 they're in the storage box, and a snap to check.
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Old 12-24-2015, 10:49 PM   #19
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Now, if someone comes up with an auto-tire filler... I'd be all over that

I had never thought about an automatic air compressor so I googled it. Apparently they exist. For example:

Amazon.com: Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator: Automotive


The Only Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator - Hammacher Schlemmer
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Old 12-24-2015, 10:56 PM   #20
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I had never thought about an automatic air compressor so I googled it. Apparently they exist. For example:

Amazon.com: Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator: Automotive


The Only Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator - Hammacher Schlemmer
I don't think this is what Donna meant when she said "automatic." I believe she was referring to the elusive air compressor that didn't require human intervention. Such a beast does not exist.....yet!
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