Check Batteries?

Cass Sumrall · 04-06-2013, 03:36 PM

We're leaving on a trip in our new 2013 Itasca Sunstar 30T & I just opened the battery compartment to check them & add distilled water as the dealer said & was surprised to find what looks to me like three sealed batteries. I would have to use a screwdriver & pry the tops off & I doubt you would have to do that if they are intended to be opened.

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Cass

BBBEEBOP · 04-06-2013, 04:17 PM

Yes, if it looks like the covers, seal three cells each then you probably do need to pry off the covers with a screwdriver to reveal the cells, then fill them with distilled water to the inner ring and tap the covers back on.

Skip426 · 04-06-2013, 04:28 PM

Look for the words " Maintenance Free " the covers my be glued down.

Not unusual for the chassis battery to be MF but the coach deep cycle should be removable.

vsheetz · 04-06-2013, 08:05 PM

Picture / brand and model of the batteries?

Cass Sumrall · 04-07-2013, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Picture / brand and model of the batteries?

Good idea!

The chassis battery is a Motorcraft BXT-65-750

The coach batteries are NAPA 24DCM

Here are pictures:

stik · 04-07-2013, 08:17 AM

My 09 Winnebago Journey 34Y came with 4 12 volt maintenance free house batteries, as did many other Winnebagos so it isn't that uncommon.

**macnut** · 04-07-2013, 09:00 AM

I also have a 2013 SunStar and was wondering the same thing. So far they have worked great, but I have yet to force the cap open with a screw driver...I have visions of the screwdriver slipping and me getting electrocuted. :-)

Cass Sumrall · 04-07-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnut

I also have a 2013 SunStar and was wondering the same thing. So far they have worked great, but I have yet to force the cap open with a screw driver...I have visions of the screwdriver slipping and me getting electrocuted. :-)

Yes, its amazing what we have to go through on the steep learning curve with motorhomes. I just figured out that the "hubcaps" can be removed very easily to get better access for the inside tire stem for adding air to the tires when you know how to do it & have the proper tool. Yesterday I spent 6 hrs trying to figure it out & in the process split my forehead open, but now I know & have the proper tool so it is easy!

I think I will wait a while before forcing those batteries open to check them since its only two weeks old & they should be fine for a while. There seem to be various opinions on whether to force them open or not. I'll see if I can get an answer from the battery manufacturers since the dealer hasn't been responsive so far.

Cass

az bound · 04-07-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cass Sumrall

We're leaving on a trip in our new 2013 Itasca Sunstar 30T & I just opened the battery compartment to check them & add distilled water as the dealer said & was surprised to find what looks to me like three sealed batteries. I would have to use a screwdriver & pry the tops off & I doubt you would have to do that if they are intended to be opened.

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Cass

Nither are sealed batteries,check the water level.

flaggship1 · 04-07-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az bound

Nither are sealed batteries,check the water level.

And if that's true as I suspect it is - I suggest getting online with rvupgrades.com or elsewhere and ordering the Flow-Rite Quick Fill product. You will have them in a couple of days and if you can wait that long - pull the caps - install the system and then use it. I don't think you will regret it. No more pulling caps and topping em off is a breeze. YMMV but works for me.
Steve

**macnut** · 04-07-2013, 10:17 AM

I believe the chassis battery is sealed, but I think you may be right about the 2 house batteries.

YC1 · 04-07-2013, 10:26 AM

Now that is the way a battery compartment and connections is supposed to look like ! Spotless.

palehorse89 · 04-07-2013, 10:38 AM

I just went through this this weekend telling my Brother about his maintenance free battery. Take your finger nail and rub it around the top of a "maintenance free " battery and on the label that covers the top of "most" battery's you will feel the flush mount caps. Ipeel the label off and take the caps out and add water. They call them maintenance free just so you don't have to check them(wet cells) and when they go low on water they will soon fail and you will replace them. I just did this with napa maintenance free battery's I have this weekend, My work place replace the crane start battery's and nothing was wrong with them (I load tested them) and I was able to bring them home, peeled the top label off and opened the caps and had to add just a little water to each cell (1 year old battery) and reinstalled the caps (rubber gaskets on them) and in the coach they went to replace my 5 year old ones. My brother by now has came back and after he went and felt around on his battery's he could feel the caps under the labels on his maintenance free battery's also, he never knew this, so I asked him, how do you think the mfg. filled them when they were built?

RickO · 04-07-2013, 10:46 AM

I too am a little surprised that coach batteries would be "maintenance free" but I think the model number you posted looks as though they're deep cycle so I guess I learned something.

I fell victim to the maintenance free marketing pitch on my chassis batteries and learned too late that they really do need to be opened and checked periodically.

Best of luck.

Rick

**macnut** · 04-07-2013, 11:21 AM

When the batteries that came with my RV go bad, I am planning to get AGM batteries, which are truly maintenance free. They cost more, but will work better for my monthly RV trips...

garykk · 04-07-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macnut

When the batteries that came with my RV go bad, I am planning to get AGM batteries, which are truly maintenance free. They cost more, but will work better for my monthly RV trips...

Before you do...make sure your charger/converter can charge them....

Cass Sumrall · 04-07-2013, 02:16 PM

Well, I went ahead & opened all three after concluding they were not really "sealed" & much to my surprise, all needed topping off (up to the bottom of the fill port. They probably had not been filled since it left the assembly line last month. All came off easily with a little prying with a screw driver.

Thanks for all the comments!

Cass

az bound · 04-07-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

Before you do...make sure your charger/converter can charge them....

Contrary to what most believe AGMs do not require any special charger.
Gel cel is the type that is sensitive. AGMs will charge as mush as 5 times faster than wet cell due to less internal resistance.

**macnut** · 04-07-2013, 03:52 PM

Yep. They keep their charge much longer and recharge faster, and have no maintenance or mess....but are much more expensive.