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ELECTRICAL
This article provides information regarding the inspection,
care, and maintenance for coach batteries. Battery
maintenance is an important issue often overlooked by
many RV owners and technicians. As batteries age, their
maintenance requirements change. This means longer
charging time and/or higher finish rate (higher amperage
at the end of the charge). Usually older, serviceable
(unsealed) flooded batteries need to be watered more
often, as their capacity decreases over time.
Battery Inspection, Safety, Care, and Maintenance
Safety Guidelines
WARNING
!
Remove rings, metal watch bands, and other metal
jewelry before working around batteries. Use
caution when using metal tools. If a tool contacts
a battery terminal or metal connected to it, a short
circuit could occur, which could cause personal
injury, explosion, or fire.
WARNING
!
Prior to handling or working with a lead-acid battery,
consult your battery owners’ manual for instructions
and safety precautions.
CAUTION
!
Disconnect the 120 volt electrical power cord and
the negative terminal from the coach batteries, and
make sure all power sources are disable (ignition,
generator, shore power, inverter) before working on
the electrical system.
Lead-acid batteries contain hydrogen-oxygen gases that
may be explosive and sulfuric acid that may cause severe
burns. To avoid injury, observe these precautions when
handling or working with a lead-acid battery:
•
Wear ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
approved safety glasses or goggles, as well as a face
shield.
•
Wear proper clothing to protect your face, hands, and
body.
•
Work in a well-ventilated area.
•
Never lean over a battery while boosting, testing, or
charging.
•
Keep all ignition sources away from the battery.
Cigarettes, flames, or sparks could cause a battery to
explode.
•
Always shield eyes and face from the battery.
•
Do not charge or use booster cables or adjust post
connections without proper instructions and training.
•
Keep vent caps tight and level.
•
In the event of an accident, flush eyes or skin with
water, and call a physician immediately.
•
Keep out of reach of children.
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.)
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.
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.
Storing The Batteries
Remember that when batteries are not used for an
extended period of time, they may lose their charge.
Periodic charging of the batteries during storage of
the unit will increase the life of the battery. Check the
external condition of the battery periodically. Look for
cracks in the cover.
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