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Old 08-09-2018, 01:20 AM   #1
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Batteries

Ok I checked my batteries for Water for the first time on 5.0. It seemed hard to me pulling out the big cushion to get to it and I could only really see the first battery holes and one of the second battery holes because they are back under the cabinet.i kind of guessed how much water to add how high should the water go? How do you get to the second battery does it move? I didn’t want to screw up the system. I’m not good with batteries.
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Old 08-09-2018, 05:14 AM   #2
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It is a hassle getting to them but I can see mine well enough, U dinette dual 6's. An option for you is installing an automatic watering system. Here's one from US Battery but there are many, at many prices.

U.S. Battery | Leader in Deep Cycle Batteries | Battery Watering Systems | Deep Cycle Batteries | U.S. Battery Mfg. Co.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:27 AM   #3
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Has anyone upgraded to AGM so you don't have to worry about checking water levels?
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:41 AM   #4
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Since most of the Escapes are relatively new, there have not been many replacements, but some were lithium as well as AGM...
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Old 08-09-2018, 08:08 AM   #5
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My batteries are 6 years old and still going strong. I'm really surprised at how much water I have to add though, the 2, 6 volt batteries need about a litre of water every 3 to 4 months. I've just finished up my 3rd 4 litre jug of distilled water.
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Old 08-09-2018, 08:10 AM   #6
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Has anyone upgraded to AGM so you don't have to worry about checking water levels?
I believe Jim Bennett had AGMs installed. They are definitely on my radar to reduce the water and off gassing concerns.
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Old 08-09-2018, 08:18 AM   #7
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We have 5.0 with dual 6 volt. Was thinking of moving battery box 4 to 6” toward the center for much easier access. Has anyone done that?
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Old 08-09-2018, 08:36 AM   #8
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My batteries are 6 years old and still going strong. I'm really surprised at how much water I have to add though, the 2, 6 volt batteries need about a litre of water every 3 to 4 months. I've just finished up my 3rd 4 litre jug of distilled water.
Barry
My dual 6V batteries consume water at a similar rate as yours Barry. Just shows that you cannot forget about keeping up with your battery maintenance.
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:05 AM   #9
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Adding water to your batteries can be a good sign, that everything is normal, whereas no water consumption could indicate a problem, just my .02$ worth
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:07 AM   #10
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We have 5.0 with dual 6 volt. Was thinking of moving battery box 4 to 6” toward the center for much easier access. Has anyone done that?
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:49 AM   #11
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I drilled the hole in plywood to more easily see and fill the battery. I use a plastic syringe and short length of tube. Not too difficult.
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Old 08-09-2018, 10:39 AM   #12
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I changed to AGMs years ago. They charge faster, don't fail catastrophically due to plate shedding and consequent shorted cells, and don't require electrolyte level checking. More expensive, but worth it to me.
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Old 08-09-2018, 11:03 AM   #13
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When mine go bad that’s my plan. Until then an occasional check and top up not a problem.
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Old 08-09-2018, 11:35 AM   #14
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When mine go bad that’s my plan. Until then an occasional check and top up not a problem.
Same here, but I did add a watering system. Not quite as much a PITA as watering by hand, but you still have to haul along distilled water and connect/disconnect the watering system.

My problem is that with adequate solar, my batteries lasted 7 years in the 17B, so unless I purposely ignore watering, the current ones in the 21 will probably go that long. On the other hand, by then maybe lithium batteries will be cheap & chargeable at low temperatures!
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Old 08-09-2018, 12:39 PM   #15
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Quote:
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I believe Jim Bennett had AGMs installed. They are definitely on my radar to reduce the water and off gassing concerns.
I believe you are correct.

I supplied them when I picked up the trailer.
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Old 08-09-2018, 01:19 PM   #16
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I had switched to AGM in our old 5.0 mainly because the battery box lid was very inconvenient to remove and check. I intend to do the same when my 2x6 v are finished
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Old 08-09-2018, 01:42 PM   #17
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i don't mind removing the lid etc.. but i cannot see the holes on the second battery drilling a hole in the plywood is a good idea to see that last battery h2o hole. how high should the water go in the holes?
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Old 08-09-2018, 02:09 PM   #18
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+1 for AGM batteries. I installed them when I did my solar upgrade. They’re working flawlessly, plus no more need to manage water levels.
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Old 08-09-2018, 02:22 PM   #19
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Everything you need to know is at Trojan Battery site:


https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-s...y-maintenance/
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Old 08-09-2018, 02:41 PM   #20
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Everything you need to know is at Trojan Battery site:


https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-s...y-maintenance/
Oh the Trojan battery site. I must have gone to the wrong site.
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