Dead house batteries - what would you do?

[CaliMClass]

We bought our 351M Momentum used, and the house batteries have never worked. We have to be plugged into shore power, or the truck umbilical to use the leveling system or start the generator.

We’ve made do with it so far but it’s becoming a pain.

It looks like the batteries are $164 to replace, multiplied by 4, so $656. Is replacing them the way to go? I’m assuming that given they don’t hold a charge, they’re toast...

Thanks in advance for any advice! Always appreciated!




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[jkwilson]

You can get those batteries for less than $100 each at Costco or Sam’s.

If you don’t boondocking, a single group 27 battery would take care of jacks and lights when setting up or hitching.

[sande005]

First I'd make sure that the main power switch in the pass through (big red one) is on. With it off, the batteries won't charge. But there will still be a few items this doesn't cut off (propane detector, etc) that will drain them fast than you would think, which can kill them pretty quickly. Having dead batteries means your emergency brakes will not work.
Then I'd do a little checking with a voltmeter, to see if when on shore power, the charger is actually trying to charge.
Then I'd replace, which the above will likely confirm has to be done.

You look to have 4 6volt batteries. If you never camp without being plugged into shore power, you can change to as few as 1 12v. Saving quite a bit of money. That would get you enough for setting up camp, before you plug in, but maybe not enough to last too far into the night without shore power. Read up on battery Reserve Capacity - which is a rough guide to how they are rated for longevity. Ignore Cold Cranking Amp ratings - that only comes into play for starting an engine. Your 2 pair of 6 v give you quite a lot of "RC" (probably good for 3-4 days of stingy use of electricity without generator or shore power), 2 12 would be less, 1 12 even less.

[CaliMClass]

Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it.

Would 4 of these, wired the same way as the current set up do the trick?

https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneo...RoCc2oQAvD_BwE

I’m not sure on all the specs, but the price and availability is a bit more doable for me than the $160 each replacements for the exact ones I have now.

Thank you again for the help!


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[jkwilson]

Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it.

Would 4 of these, wired the same way as the current set up do the trick?

https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneo...RoCc2oQAvD_BwE

I’m not sure on all the specs, but the price and availability is a bit more doable for me than the $160 each replacements for the exact ones I have now.

Thank you again for the help!


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No. That is a 12V battery and your setup uses 6V batteries. You need golf cart batteries often labeled GC2.

[orbiker]

Don't throw them out yet.
Learn to use a volt meter first.

The 12volt Side of Life

Also; check the water level when you do what Sande suggested.

IF you replace with 12v instead of 6v batteries, the wiring will change. That is explained in the link supplied. KEN

[CaliMClass]

No. That is a 12V battery and your setup uses 6V batteries. You need golf cart batteries often labeled GC2.

And this is why I value the help of people here so much. [emoji1787][emoji23] Thank you, completely missed that it was 12v and not 6v. [emoji2357]


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[FT4NOW]

One thing not mentioned, and also not sure if it was originally there. Do those battery boxes have lids with a tube to the vent on the front of the camper? If you install new lead acid batteries, you want to ensure the off-gassing is directed to the outside and not up into the bedroom above the battery compartment.

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[RV Sailor]

We bought our 351M Momentum used, and the house batteries have never worked. We have to be plugged into shore power, or the truck umbilical to use the leveling system or start the generator.

We’ve made do with it so far but it’s becoming a pain.

It looks like the batteries are $164 to replace, multiplied by 4, so $656. Is replacing them the way to go? I’m assuming that given they don’t hold a charge, they’re toast...

Thanks in advance for any advice! Always appreciated!




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I would replace either with the 4 -6 volt or 2-12 v group 31. The group 31 arewired differently but not very complicated.
You have to decide how you camp but I would consider that as a minimum . You can choose between AGM ( mai tainence free) and water added,( cheaper but must be maintained and either taken hoe and /or / trickle charged in the winter)

I’m concerned when you say they never worked. New batteries won’t solve an existing problem
It’s easy to DYI and figure out.
1- are they connected into you 12 volt system correctly
2- are they being charged when in a campsite by the converter / on the road by your 7 pin connection
3- do you have some parasitic draw when you just leave the camper that drains the batteries ( assuming you turn
The main battery cable off before you leave)

[CaliMClass]

Thank you so much for all the help here! You all are invaluable! I was able to do a couple of things since I posted:

1) Checked in with the previous owner who says that the batteries were likely completely discharged too many times during outside winter storage.

2) Had the batteries tested and they are in fact toast.

I was able to find 4 of these at Costco for $89 each. Will they do the job? And if so, I just wire them back in the exact same way the others were?

Thank you all again for the help!!





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