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10-31-2010, 02:53 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 22
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checking battery water level
The battery tray on my 06 Journey does not pull out far enough for me to visually check the water level in the last battery. Any suggestions on how to check it?
John
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John Cousins Longmont CO
2016 Travato 59K
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10-31-2010, 03:08 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 119
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Try using a flashlight and a mirror. Checking the electrolyte level and adding electrolyte to the battery may be a completely different problem. If you have to add water(distilled) to your battery connect a 1/4 inch line, available from Home Depot or Lowes, to a small funnel and add a small amount at a time.
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2007 Newmar DSDP 4023
Discovery is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
If you want to see what man made go East; if you want to see what God made go West.
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10-31-2010, 06:53 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
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I find a turkey baster works great, more control when adding water.and use a Popsicle stick as dip stick.
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........Damdannyboy........ 2003 Newmar Scottsdale 1997 Harley FLHT [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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10-31-2010, 07:46 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 94
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If yours is like mine, it won't pull out all the way because of a short ground cable. I replaced the nut with a wingnut, and each time I check the water I remove the cable, which allows me to pull the tray all the way out. It does reset the bedroom radio presets and turns on the exterior radio, but it's worth it.
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Fulltiming in a 2006 Ellipse 40FD
Our blog
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10-31-2010, 08:02 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith K
If yours is like mine, it won't pull out all the way because of a short ground cable. I replaced the nut with a wingnut, and each time I check the water I remove the cable, which allows me to pull the tray all the way out. It does reset the bedroom radio presets and turns on the exterior radio, but it's worth it.
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Same with my Journey. I detach the short cable and the tray comes out farther and battery checking in easy.
JT
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JT Kirby
2006 32T Journey
2010 Chevy Malibu toad
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10-31-2010, 09:14 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern Oklahoma
Posts: 871
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV'nOldTimer
Same with my Journey. I detach the short cable and the tray comes out farther and battery checking in easy.
JT
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Great idea guys. I've been using a flashlight and mirror to reach that back battery for over 6 years now on my 2004 Meridian. I'll try your idea next time. Also, never thought about using a cycle stick to check the level.
Wagonmaster2
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10-31-2010, 09:32 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 656
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I picked up an expandable "dental mirror" and a turkey baster and found it to work best for me.
Rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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11-01-2010, 05:42 AM
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#8
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 111
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The easiest way is to buy on of the autofill gadgets that CW sells. Costs about $40 for the setup to do 3 batteries. Then it takes about 5 minutes to service all the batteries. No muss; no fuss and you can do it in your best clothes.
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11-01-2010, 06:03 AM
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#9
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcous
The battery tray on my 06 Journey does not pull out far enough for me to visually check the water level in the last battery. Any suggestions on how to check it?
John
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I had the same problem checking the battery water until I installed one of these. No more hassel.
JANWP.com-- Battery Water Systems, Dock Accessories, Dock Ladders, Electrical Dock Pedestals, Solar: Recreational Vehicles- 6V/12V
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Del & Lori & Millie, (our miniature Aussie) 2007 Diplomat 40PDQ - 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, US Gear Unified Tow Brake, Blue Ox Aventa.
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11-01-2010, 06:17 AM
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#10
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 13
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I have the same problem on our coach and came up with the this solution:
Cut paper strips about 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long. A dark colored paper works best. Fold them in half. As I add distilled water and need to check the level take one strip of paper and lower it into the cell. The fold will let you know when the water level is 1 inch from the top when you pull it out and it is wet. Also, folding the paper gives me peace of mind from the fear of dropping a piece of paper into the battery. No mirrors, no flash light, but I do use the baster method of putting the water in the battery.
Dave
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David & Gail Salisbury, NC
2003 American Eagle 42'
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11-01-2010, 08:15 AM
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#11
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 21
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denochs.....What a great idea! Beats purchasing 2 of those auto-refill systems, at $65.00 for two batteries! The last time I checked CW's price for one of those systems, it was about $56 for two 6 volt batteries. I have 4 batteries, so my total cost would be from $112 to $130, wherever I bought them. No more flashlights and over-filling, for me! You guys have battery trays? I have to lean into the storage bay, to do mine. Can't get my head in, far enough to see the water levels. Also, it's too dark in there!
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Roland & Jerri, with Maggie & Mollie, our Pups; '05 Fleetwood Providence, 39' DP; '08 Saturn. "The difference between genius and stupidity is genius has it's limits" (Einstein)
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11-02-2010, 06:02 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 13
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The battery tray on our coach won't pull out far enough to look into the 4th battery even if I disconnect the short cable. Leaving the cable connected, I can't look into the cells of the two in front of it. And with 4 batteries, the cost would be over $100 for us too. Since I check the batteries every 4 months I see no need for those auto refillers. DW says I'm just cheap. I prefer putting the money we save in the fuel tank. I feel much better burning it up cruising down the highway rather that sitting it on top of my batteries.
Dave
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David & Gail Salisbury, NC
2003 American Eagle 42'
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11-02-2010, 08:23 AM
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#13
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1
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I use popcicle sticks as well
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Ron & Katie / N6CUS (Extra Class) Ham Monitor 146.520 MHZ
2008 Discovery 40X DP - Toad 2014 Chevy Silverado
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11-03-2010, 02:03 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Aguanga, CA
Posts: 53
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Call me old fashioned, but after replacing too many batteries in the last four years I have learned to first disconnect the batteries from the coach with the switch, then remove all the cabling, pull the batteries out of the slide tray and fill them on the ground where I can see them. I also clean all the cable ends and battery posts with cleaner and a wire brush, then re-install and finally spray a sealant on the finished connections. I do this every four weeks, takes about 30 minutes, and over the last 18 months have had no problems whatsoever. We are full timers, so certainly we are putting more strain on the batteries than someone who uses their coach only intermittently, but it seems to me anything less is just asking for trouble, which you don't want on your weekend jaunts. Kinda like checking your tires before every trip - peace of mind.
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Phil Degnan
05 Vectra 40 AD
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11-03-2010, 07:58 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RanchoVectra
Call me old fashioned, but after replacing too many batteries in the last four years I have learned to first disconnect the batteries from the coach with the switch, then remove all the cabling, pull the batteries out of the slide tray and fill them on the ground where I can see them. I also clean all the cable ends and battery posts with cleaner and a wire brush, then re-install and finally spray a sealant on the finished connections. I do this every four weeks, takes about 30 minutes, and over the last 18 months have had no problems whatsoever. We are full timers, so certainly we are putting more strain on the batteries than someone who uses their coach only intermittently, but it seems to me anything less is just asking for trouble, which you don't want on your weekend jaunts. Kinda like checking your tires before every trip - peace of mind.
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Now THAT is how we should check our batteries! I haven't yet worked up the ambition to do that more than annually but I need to learn how to do 5 batteries in less than half a day!
Rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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11-03-2010, 08:07 PM
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#16
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 277
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Get AGM's
I replaced mine with AGM's and now I don't have any water woes. Joe
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2008 Itasca Latitude 39W. Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo 340HP. Allison 6 Speed. Freightliner XCS. Michelin XRV 255/80R 22.5 LRG. SuperSteer MCU. Safe-T-Plus.
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11-07-2010, 02:25 AM
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#17
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Santa Clarita, CA.
Posts: 1,222
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Having 4ea. 6V GC's there is even less room to fiddle with mirrors and especially trying to fill them. I installed a battery watering system for all 4 batteries, and it works great. BUT.. based on comments on the forums about them occasionally clogging up, I make it a habit to still pull the tray at least once a year to verify levels, clean the valves and reinstall. FWIW, with MY 4 GC's, that is in excess of 250lb cantilevered on the shelf when pulled out. I have a adjustable roller saw horse that I set under the tray when pulled to keep the stress off the rollers (and my foot).
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Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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11-08-2010, 03:34 PM
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#18
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 274
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I have been checking mine with a flashlight and an expandable dental mirror. When the lighting precludes this is use a ph test strip. I like the popsicle stick idea too! To fill I use mainly the turkey baster but sometimes have to dip and fill multiple times. I found a IV set up works great. Add distilled water to the bag, connect the tubing and open and close by using the little wheel.
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11-09-2010, 06:21 PM
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#19
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Aguanga, CA
Posts: 53
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Thanks for the kind comment Rick. What I didn't mention is that it took replacing about (if I remember correctly) replacing 5 failed batteries on three different occasions in the first two years to wake up to the fact that I needed to check my coach batteries regularly. I learn slow.
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Phil Degnan
05 Vectra 40 AD
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