RV Batteries

des1954

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
7,329
Well....our chassis batteries on our '05 Itasca finally bit the dust. They are the original batteries, so who knows how long they sat around before being placed in our coach. DH had them on the BIG charger for an entire day & nothing. I'm so glad he is cheap and diligent in searching out prices on the internet.

Just to give you an example....Camping World has the batteries we need for $159.99 each. Sam's Club was a little better at $119.87 each. BUT Auto Zone has Duralast Batteries with a 5 year warranty for $89.99 each. Now, I realize the 5 year warranty is probably a prorated thing like Sears, but for the price I can't complain.

Rick usually puts the chassis batteries on the trickle charger when we return from a trip, but he neglected to do that after the Mem. Day weekend. We don't have the battery cut off switch on our model, and are not likely to get one, cause he normally uses the trickle charger. Anyhow...I'm glad to get this fix for less than $200.

Barring anything unforseen, our next Fort trip is at the end of August. We were going the end of this month, but DH's TV modification parts won't be here in time for him to put the cab area back together by then. Oh well! He's replacing the bohemith TV in the cab with a flat screen, mounting it to a cabinet door that matches the rest of the cabinets, and putting the whole assembly on a scissor hinge that will allow us to swivel the TV out over the driver's seat so we can comfortably view it from the couch. By doing this, I will gain an enormous cabinet where the old, big TV used to sit. And THAT, my friends, is why I've kept this man for 36 years. He's very handy to have around!! :thumbsup2
 
Well....our chassis batteries on our '05 Itasca finally bit the dust. They are the original batteries, so who knows how long they sat around before being placed in our coach. DH had them on the BIG charger for an entire day & nothing. I'm so glad he is cheap and diligent in searching out prices on the internet.

Just to give you an example....Camping World has the batteries we need for $159.99 each. Sam's Club was a little better at $119.87 each. BUT Auto Zone has Duralast Batteries with a 5 year warranty for $89.99 each. Now, I realize the 5 year warranty is probably a prorated thing like Sears, but for the price I can't complain.

Rick usually puts the chassis batteries on the trickle charger when we return from a trip, but he neglected to do that after the Mem. Day weekend. We don't have the battery cut off switch on our model, and are not likely to get one, cause he normally uses the trickle charger. Anyhow...I'm glad to get this fix for less than $200.

Barring anything unforseen, our next Fort trip is at the end of August. We were going the end of this month, but DH's TV modification parts won't be here in time for him to put the cab area back together by then. Oh well! He's replacing the bohemith TV in the cab with a flat screen, mounting it to a cabinet door that matches the rest of the cabinets, and putting the whole assembly on a scissor hinge that will allow us to swivel the TV out over the driver's seat so we can comfortably view it from the couch. By doing this, I will gain an enormous cabinet where the old, big TV used to sit. And THAT, my friends, is why I've kept this man for 36 years. He's very handy to have around!! :thumbsup2

Have you considered installing a blade type disconnect for your chassis batteries ? it would allow you to isolate the batteries and is a relatively inexpensive upgrade. Also make sure you are using a "float charger" or battery maintaining type charger, these have a built in sensor that assures that the battery is not overcharged.
 

Deb, does that mean you will be there for Labor Day? I have reservations but also made some at Manatee Hammock, not sure which one we are keeping yet. It depends on how Richie is feeling, he might not be able to driver far. I figured If he isn't feeling great, my DS could drive the MH to the ft and I could follow with the car and if he didn't want to say take the car home and come get us on checkout day. We will see. Everything is up in the air until we get through this surgery.
 
Have you considered installing a blade type disconnect for your chassis batteries ? it would allow you to isolate the batteries and is a relatively inexpensive upgrade. Also make sure you are using a "float charger" or battery maintaining type charger, these have a built in sensor that assures that the battery is not overcharged.

Yeah...we had the blade disconnect on previous MH's that we had to store away from home. DH opted not to get one for this MH as it's parked right outside the door under an RV port. I "think" he uses the maintaining charger you mentioned. He's the mechanic and I'm the packer, navigator, cook, maid, beer wench, well....you get the idea! :lmao:

Deb, does that mean you will be there for Labor Day? I have reservations but also made some at Manatee Hammock, not sure which one we are keeping yet. It depends on how Richie is feeling, he might not be able to driver far. I figured If he isn't feeling great, my DS could drive the MH to the ft and I could follow with the car and if he didn't want to say take the car home and come get us on checkout day. We will see. Everything is up in the air until we get through this surgery.

Lorna - No, we won't be there over Labor Day. We're going the weekend before. My "stick in the mud" husband prefers FtW when it's less crowded. As for me...the more the merrier!! I love big gatherings. I'm hoping all goes well with Richie. Please, please, please keep us posted. When is the surgery scheduled for?
 
Deb, thanks for asking the surgery is Thursday @ 11 they say it will take at least 4 hrs. I will keep everyone posted.
Well if you DH won't come on busy weekends, then we will have to find a slow weekend to meet up, We really enjoyed your company and would love to spend more time with you. Right now the only reservations we have at the ft are for the week of Oct 24th to Nov 2nd, not sure if I can stay the whole week, but I hope so I will really need it by then.
I will let you know what is going on Thurs night or Friday.
 














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