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72
ELECTRICAL
CAUTION
!
Follow battery manufacturer instructions. Do not add
any liquid to gel cell batteries.
For more information about Battery Inspection, Safety,
Care, and Maintenance, refer to Newgle.
Battery Bank Wiring
PARALLEL BATTERY WIRING
Parallel battery wiring refers to two or more batteries with
all positive (+) terminals hooked together and all negative
(-) terminals hooked together. This results in a battery
voltage similar to that of the individual batteries, typically
12 Volt, to boost battery capacity. Two identical batteries
wired parallel will provide twice the electrical storage
capacity of one battery, without increasing voltage.
SERIES BATTERY WIRING
Series wiring refers to two or more batteries hooked
together, with opposite terminals connected. The positive
(+) terminal of the first battery should be connected to the
negative (-) terminal of the second battery. The resulting
voltage is the sum of the individual batteries. For example,
if two six Volt batteries are hooked together, the resulting
voltage will be 12 Volts.
SERIES/PARALLEL WIRING
Series/ Parallel battery wiring is used on Newmar
units when four or more 6 Volt batteries are used for
the house battery bank. Since 12 Volts is the desired
working voltage from the battery bank, the batteries are
connected to provide 12 Volts with more capacity. Two 6
volt batteries wired together in a series create a 12 Volt
battery bank. Two or more of the 12 Volt battery banks
can be connected together in a parallel format to provide
more capacity.
In situations where multiple batteries are connected in a
series, parallel or series/parallel, replacement batteries
should be the same size, type, and manufacturer (if
possible). Age and usage level should be the same as the
companion batteries.
Battery Cycle Vs. Battery Life
A battery cycle is one complete discharge and recharge
cycle (100 percent to 20 percent, and then back to 100
percent). Battery life is directly related to how deep the
battery is cycled each time. The most common cycles
are 10, 20, and 50 percent. Be cautious of ratings that list
the number of cycles, unless it also states how low the
battery is being discharged.
For example, telephone type (float service) batteries have
been advertised as having a 20-year life. However, the
rating only stands true at five percent depth of discharge
(DOD), and the life span is much less when used in an
application where the batteries are cycled deeper on a
regular basis. Those same batteries are rated at less than
five years if cycled to 50 percent.
If a battery is discharged to 50 percent every day, it will
last about twice as long as if it is cycled to 80 percent
DOD. If cycled only 10 percent DOD, it will last about five
times as long as one cycled to 50 percent. The most
practical number to use is 50 percent DOD on a regular
basis for the best use of e
ff
ective storage and cost.
Note: Both voltage and specific gravity tests should be
performed with no load on the batteries and without any
supplied charging. Turn o
ff
all draws and charging. Allow
the batteries to stabilize, and then proceed with the test.
Battery State/Voltage Chart
State of Charge Specific Gravity
12 Volt
6 Volt
100%
1.265
12.7
6.3
75%
1.225
12.4
6.2
50%
1.190
12.2
6.1
25%
1.155
12.0
6.0
Discharged
1.120
11.9
6.0
This battery state voltage chart is used as an example.
Your specific battery manufacturer’s chart may vary.
IMPORTANT
!
In addition, there is an upper limit. A battery that is
continually cycled down five percent or less will usually
not last as long as one cycled down 10 percent. At very
shallow cycles, lead dioxide tends to build up in clumps
on the positive plates rather than in an even layer.
House and Chassis Battery Bank Overview
This article provides a brief overview of the two di
ff
erent
battery banks in a Newmar coach: House and Chassis.
The House Battery Bank is necessary to operate
everything a customer may require in order to live in the
unit. These batteries can be either 6 Volt deep cycle (all
diesel coaches) or 12 Volt deep cycle, depending on the
model and brand of the coach. Newmar house batteries
may be serviceable or sealed.
The Chassis Battery Bank supplies power to everything a
customer requires to drive the unit. Currently, Newmar’s
chassis batteries are all Liquid Lead Acid. Spartan and
Ford chassis have serviceable batteries and Freightliner
chassis batteries are sealed. The type and brand of
chassis battery may vary depending on coach year,
make, and model. Chassis batteries may need to be
disconnected and removed from the coach to maintain
proper electrolyte levels or perform routine battery
maintenance. House batteries may be either serviceable
Liquid Lead Acid/Flooded or AGM/Sealed Cell.
Summary of Contents for London Aire 2021
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