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Old 02-07-2022, 04:14 PM   #1
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Replace 6 volt batteries or not.

My 2014 17B still has the original Interstate 6 volt batteries. At 8 years old I am considering replacing them. I would have them load tested first though. Anybody else still using similar age 6 volt batteries with acceptable performance. My thought is 8 years for a lead acid battery is a pretty good service life, and to be on the safe side and not left one day while camping with marginal batteries replacing them. They have always been charged (float charged) with the solar panel and not removed during winter as I'm on the west coast.
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Old 02-07-2022, 05:46 PM   #2
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What I've read

It depends. Five years is published as a typical life for a lead acid battery. If they've not been deep discharged, maintained well, not exposed to high temps.......that extends their life. But at their age, they may be pretty "long in the tooth". Gamble, and keep them. Roll the dice, and get new ones. It's your choice. High temps (aka Arizona) are what I've read shortens the life more than cold.

Nothing is forever, and nothing lasts.

That said, I'm still running with my original 2016 6V batteries. Guess I'd better start saving for replacements
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Old 02-07-2022, 10:32 PM   #3
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Our 6 Volts will be 5 this summer. This year I’ll run them till they give me a problem or I sense they are not charging up. Good thing is they are not hard to get at this time and I have a spare 12 volt so I could get by if the sixes conked out before a local trip. Otherwise next year probably get new ones in the spring. With no trips to restaurants or slow food joints for the last year, I’m not worried about the cost. And I did my body a favor.
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Old 02-07-2022, 10:55 PM   #4
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Took our 2014 batteries into Interstate last year. One tested good, one bad. Now have new ones.
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Old 02-07-2022, 11:01 PM   #5
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note the car battery folks don't have the correct sort of testers for deep cycle... they measure CCA, or cold cranking amps. We want to measure AH, amp*hours.
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Old 02-08-2022, 09:00 AM   #6
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note the car battery folks don't have the correct sort of testers for deep cycle... they measure CCA, or cold cranking amps. We want to measure AH, amp*hours.
When I took my batterries into Interstate they kept them overnight and did some kind of draw down type test. This was at an Interstate company store.
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Old 02-08-2022, 09:45 AM   #7
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Quote:
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My 2014 17B still has the original Interstate 6 volt batteries. At 8 years old I am considering replacing them. I would have them load tested first though. Anybody else still using similar age 6 volt batteries with acceptable performance. My thought is 8 years for a lead acid battery is a pretty good service life, and to be on the safe side and not left one day while camping with marginal batteries replacing them. They have always been charged (float charged) with the solar panel and not removed during winter as I'm on the west coast.
Our 2013 19' still has the original factory supplied dual 6V batteries. They have performed well to date although I am noticing that they do become discharged a little faster than they used to. I was thinking that 2022 may be the year that they need to be replaced, but then again maybe they will last another year!
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Old 02-08-2022, 11:31 AM   #8
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...
although I am noticing that they do become discharged a little faster than they used to.
...

Another good clue: They will also appear to charge faster than expected.
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Old 02-08-2022, 01:47 PM   #9
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We have the dual 6 volts in our 19 also. I keep thinking about replacing them, just because of their age. They seem to be performing well, so what's the hurry. The trailer has been outside all the time through midwest winters. The solar still seems to keep them charged. So, yes, I too am on the fence about replacing them....or go another year?
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Old 02-08-2022, 02:16 PM   #10
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If you replace them with the same Interstate GC2 available at Costco for roughly $200 then after 8 years you would save about $25. Or, you could trust your instincts and replace them and have one less thing to worry about for the upcoming season.

I don't drive my tires to 4/32 either.
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