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75
ELECTRICAL
Common Causes Of Premature
Battery Failure
•
Deep discharges (leaving your lights on)
•
Misapplication
•
Replacement using an undersized battery not
meeting Newmar’s OEM specifications
•
Loss of electrolyte due to overheating or
overcharging
•
Undercharging or loose alternator belt
•
Excessive vibration (due to loose clamp or hold down
on battery)
•
Corrosion
•
Freezing (A fully-charged vehicle battery will not
freeze until the temperature is -75° F. Frozen batteries
are not warrantable.)
•
Failure to charge a battery during a period of six
months or more (Inactivity can be extremely harmful
to all lead acid batteries.)
Cleaning The Batteries
Check the vent plugs and replace them if they are
cracked or broken. Keep the battery clean. Accumulations
of acid film and dirt may permit current flow between the
terminals, which could drain the battery.
To clean, wash the batteries with a diluted solution of
baking soda and water to neutralize any acid present.
This should be a mixture of a couple of tablespoons of
baking soda per pint of water. Rinse thoroughly with
clean water. Foaming around the terminals or on top of
the battery is a sign that acid is being neutralized. Avoid
getting the baking soda solution in the battery. Secure all
vent caps.
Both house and chassis battery cable connections need
to be cleaned and tightened, as battery problems are
often caused by dirty and loose connections. Dry the
battery cables and terminals to prevent corrosion. Do not
use grease on the bare metal inside the cable terminals.
Grease can act as an insulator, and electricity will not
flow through it. A plastic ignition spray will protect the
terminals after they have been cleaned.
Checking The Fluid Level and
Adding Fluid
A serviceable battery needs
to have the fluid level
checked, as they consume
water and must be filled
periodically. Please be sure
to check the battery water
level on a regular basis.
WARNING
!
Do not allow the battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabric, or painted surfaces. The fluid could
cause serious personal injury or property damage.
Wear eye protection when working with any battery.
The batteries should be removed and stored in a warm
place when not using your motorhome for an extended
period of time. This will prevent unnecessary drain and
corrosion of the batteries. The coach batteries are 6 volt
RV/Marine deep cycle batteries. Mark the cables, positive
and negative, for easy identification. Batteries are not to
be stored on concrete floors.
CAUTION
!
Use only distilled water to fill flooded / liquid lead
acid batteries. Non-serviceable (AGM, Gel Cell)
batteries do NOT require the addition of ANY liquid.
Adding liquid to non-serviceable AGM or Gel Cell
batteries will result in damage to the batteries and
will not be covered under warranty.
1. A serviceable battery needs to have the fluid level
checked. AGM batteries do not require additional
fluid. If the battery has removable vent caps, they can
be twisted or pried o
ff
with a flat-head screwdriver.
Once removed, the individual vent wells can be seen.
Look down into each individual cell to make sure that
the water is covering the lead plates and is at the
proper level.
2. Add water to any cells that are low on water. Ideally,
the water level should be 1/8” below the bottom of
the tubes (there are six tubes in a 12 Volt battery) that
go down into the battery. To avoid damage to the
battery, make sure the fluid level never drops below
the tops of the lead plates in each of the cells. Always
use distilled water to fill the battery to prevent battery
contamination.
3. Do not overfill battery cells. Adding too much water
may result in acid overflow and damage around
the battery. In addition, warmer weather may cause
natural fluid expansion, forcing excess electrolytes
from the battery.
Preventing Corrosion
Newmar sprays the battery connections once they are
tightened with a battery protector and sealer to help
prevent corrosion. When performing battery maintenance,
you should reseal the battery terminal connections. The
following measures may also prevent future corrosion:
Use a small bead of silicone sealer at the base of the
post where it meets the battery case. Place a felt battery
washer over the post and into the bead of silicone. Coat
the washer with high temperature grease or petroleum
jelly (Vaseline), then place the cable on the post and
tighten. Coat the exposed cable end with the grease. The
gas condensation on metal parts of the battery cause
most corrosion issues.
Summary of Contents for London Aire 2021
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