My coach has a 10" x 20" AGM house battery that was in the coach when I bought it about 6 years ago. While doing some fridge diagnostics I realized the battery was dead so I charged it up to 12.8. After sitting over night it was down to 10.8. I recharged it and disconnected it to see if the coach was drawing it down. This morning it's back down to 10.7, so I figure it's shot. It's sealed so there is no maintenance so is there anything else I could do to bring it back or do I have to buy a new battery?
2. While checking other things I started the engine and it doesn't appear the alternator is charging this battery at all. When the coach is plugged in this battery is getting a minimal charge so I assume the inverter is working properly. Is the E Start a conduit to charge this battery while driving? And should it even need it for 6 or 8 hours on the road between hookups if it is just running the fridge board?
There is a solenoid in the battery compartment that just for kicks I checked and it read something weird like 3.7.
I'm looking at a new one from Amazon that is the same size 200 amp white AGM.
The good news is I don't need a new fridge like I thought. It just wasn't working on the road because it didn't have 12v going to the board. Again, should the house battery be receiving a charge from the alternator while driving down the road? Some things for you smarter guys to ponder.
https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-...mcx_mr_hp_atf_m&th=1

Danny smarter is a subjective term.

I am surprised you had that battery. What a bear to handle at 128 pounds. Bad back says no for me. Most had standard lead acid and a pair of the 100AH. Even those are heavy. I have had AGM batteries for years. I hate having to maintain lead acid. I just put my trolling batteries in my coach for chassis. I will put Lithium in the boat in spring.
I run lithium as house in the Coach with solar.

That was just some background. I agree your assessment of battery being shot. Morris had a lead acid the size of yours. I made a ramp to slide it out.


Some folks have an isolator to charge the house from the alternator. None of mine have had. So I’ll let someone else weigh in on that. That battery should definitely have no issues running your loads during travel. Especially if you are not running any 110 loads on an inverter.

E start? Not familiar with that? Solenoid 3.7? I carry extras along. If you search the site you will see some good info. I’m one that hates to unexpectedly have to switch out things. I have on my list to change out the ones I have not with replacements and keep the removed ones for emergency. I have one that is on the frame by the engine. Not a friendly spot to fix on the side of the road.

Be careful wrestling the old battery out.

I would agree the battery is probably toast. I still have wet cell lead acid. Two 31s for start, a 4D and 31 deep cycle for coach. My coach batteries do not charge while running. I have a couple small solar panels attached to the coach batteries. I have gone several days without trouble.

As for battery maintenance, even the wet cells have been hands off. I have a 60A Progressive Dynamics convertor. It is plugged in all the time. The batteries are aways fully charged and I never have to add water. There is a TriklStart unit that charges the start batts from the coach batts, once they are topped off. I may consider AGM next time around but they are all good now.

My Regal had a big relay in the battery area. It was set up to combine coach and start batteries for starting if needed. It could also parallel them for charging, I suppose. Mine a had a momentary switch for the relay, on the panel.

Danny, this winter has been cloudy, cool and windy! We were waiting for a beach day but not so much. We will see you soon one way or another.

Thanks guys, pretty much what I figured. Steve, hunker down for this afternoons blow! I think you might get a taste of what a hurricane is like, only this won't last 5 or 6 hours.

Danny, you may try to Equalize the battery, AGM’s are equalized at a much lower voltage than wet cells, I believe 14.8 volts. Check with the battery manufacturer. This function is usually performed by an inverter/charger, if you do not have one, you will need a very accurate charger to accomplish this. Charge at that voltage for 8-hours. I was able to revive one of my Lifeline 8-D’s like this.

The E-start is a battery booster switch that uses the house battery to jumpstart the chassis (cranking) battery, not the other way around as the solenoid is powered by the house battery. This solenoid is an intermittent duty device. To tie batteries together you would need a 100-amp continuous duty solenoid and a means to control it. It is much simpler to install a Renogy DC-DC charger for charging while driving.

Good luck!
Billy T

Thanks Billy, but now I have more questions. Where would I rent/borrow a charger for that and what would I ask for? Good info on the E start circuitry. The DC DC charger sounds like a solution but I have never heard of one. Is it a hard thing to install if I'm not a genius? My present battery is a Lifeline and the one I'm looking at is a Renogy. Is that a decent battery? Thanks

Renogy DC-DC: https://www.renogy.com/12v-20a...ard-battery-charger/

The unit I installed on our Sovereign, Not hard to install at all. Install inside, near the E-Battery Boost Solenoid and you can tie in the #4 battery cables there. Installed mine under the bed where the breaker box is.

I have used Lifeline for about 20-years, Made in the USA, 5-years warranty. Have had excellent service from them, call their 800 number ask about what you can use to equalize since you do not have an inverter/charger. I would think that the Renogy battery would be OK too, look for reviews. They are likely a CCP product.

I wish I could share pictures but in twenty years on this site, I have never been successful.

Reach out any time and to everyone else on this site!

quote:

Originally posted by billyt53:

I wish I could share pictures but in twenty years on this site, I have never been successful.

Reach out any time and to everyone else on this site!

Billy photobucket is gone for the site. Much easier now? Somewhat. You can attach 1 picture per post. They should be resized to a certain size but if you don’t SteveVW will resize them once posted.

Hit attachment:Upload On Our Site. Then choose file from yours.

Update. I tried charging the big house battery and at 10amps for 12 hours it only reads 10.8 volts. It also has a foul smell when I open the hatch. I think I can safely assume that this battery has expired.

If I remember correctly in the Bathroom closet is a IOTA charger (I don't remember what amp The # on it is the amp for AGM batteries.I would replace the lifeline (it a 4DLT).
They are expensive and heavy but one of the best AGM out there.

Thanks Richard. I know there is a charger because I get a higher volt reading when plugged in than when not. I'm looking at the Renogy AGM. It's 369 bucks and the same size and configuration as the one that's in there. I'll lok in the closet to see what you put in there. I'm also in the process of installing a grayish vinyl flooring that really looks nice to replace the peel and stick. Next up is a paint job on the bottom part of the exterior. Going with a darker grey, like the nose. Good to hear from you!

Renogy makes excellent solar products so I am sure there Batteries are just as good.I am glad you are keeping the old girl alive. I never did like that floor it was very disappointing. Send me some pictures some time. Stay in touch.