Money Saving RV Battery Tip

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Certified Mobile RV Technician, Darren Koepp, shows you how to save $$$ with this simple RV battery tip.
If you are in need of RV Repairs in the Olympic Peninsula area of Washington state, submit a service request on our website at myrvworks.com today!

[@russellhancock9765]

Some friends of Mine had a 48 volt golf cart. Their know-all son said he was taking care of it for them. I ended up putting roughly a gallon of water in all 6 batteries. It charged up and probably went at least 5 miles per hour faster after I added the water.

[@stana2z]

Time to go with AGM or Lithium if they have the scratch for a Prevost.

[@Robnord1]

🔥 Those batteries must have stunk like rotten eggs as they burned up! Expensive lesson for the customer. I had no idea some of those 6V deeps could go for $800 each. The biggest, baddest flooded lead- acid 6V I've seen were $377 each.

[@kenklontz1945]

Good walk around every trip😎

[@superdouge]

Great Tip on the batteries. Thanks...

[@davidpittman57]

Checking mine tomorrow morning. Thanks

[@mrgehring2]

I have two 6V golf cart batteries from Costco, $85 apiece. Seven years so far, and way cheaper than AGM. 220 amp hours. I just put a reminder on my calendar to check the water every month. Never had a problem. I see no reason to pay 3X for AGM when it is so easy to maintain these. We don't RV enough to justify lithiums, but if I was a full timer I would do it - cheaper in the long run.

[@johnkerechek6583]

Excellent advice indeed.

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you!

[@gswartz58]

Thanks again for your videos!

[@MyRVWorks]

Our pleasure!

[@randyrainwater983]

Included in my first of the month maintenance.

[@MyRVWorks]

Awesome job!

[@ez123ification]

Great video, your livin the life.

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you. We are very blessed!

[@tinkeringwithelectronics]

Thanks!! My new RV has been parked and plugged in, the battery was down a little, as well as my boats. These were not on my maintenance radar. To use to "maintenance" free batteries.

[@dellme12]

The owner should check out his battery charging system, may be overcharging his batteries (surprised you didn't mention that) and look into a auto battery watering system

[@kathyleenspencer8528]

thank you

[@Tom-Fisherman]

Darin, your so right to bring up the water issue! If people understood their installed systems, chances are they would maintain them better. But as long as there are good Service Tech's like you out there, there will be buyers like him. So much of my time was spent educating people. Owner DARN lucky he didn't have exploded battery issue too. -- Great video!

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you!

[@joblessbum7]

Great video. So many people dont realize they need to check water levels in their batteries.

[@timf6916]

Yes, I always check them

[@MyRVWorks]

Great job Tim!

[@pilotnelson4507]

Went to buy gloves from your link (from your tool bag description video). Needed XL possibly XXL size. Could you please add other size options for my next order?

[@2-old-Forthischet]

As someone else mentioned, I use AGM batteries (only one) in my trailer and tow vehicle. Yes, pricey and heavy but way cheaper than lithium!

[@janicehubbell]

That is what i have as well. Wish the AGM batteries were a little lighter.

[@haymanniceshot]

Just topped mine off about 20 minutes before this video popped up on my phone. Good advice!!

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you!

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Let us know what you did to fix this, ie what kind of batteries you used to repair, AGM's or Lithium. I saw what looked like 12, 6-volt batteries, so I think 6, 12-volt battle born batteries would be a great upgrade. Of course you have to be able to adjust the battery charger to charge lithium as well as the solar charge controller if he has solar....I'm so glad I got rid of lead acid wet cells long ago and now the AGM's I have no maintenance due to battery post corrosion or water problems....

[@matthewrice2152]

Had a client refer me to this video, and saw various things in the comment I thought I would cover in a single comment, rather than may several replies: 1. The batteries in the video are Crown Supreme CR-395 batteries. 395 being 395Ah. They are 6V batteries, so if this is a 24V system, there are 4 in series, then the 3 in parallel. They have been replaced I believe with the newer 430's that I *believe* are the same form factor. These are something like 18" high, and 125lbs a piece. 2. The batteries were ~$700/each last I came across them. So even with modest labor and things like sales tax, it's quite possible to be $10,000. 3. Saw some comments that said for that price they must be lithium. They're not, just flooded 6V, but very expensive due to the amp hour rating. 4a. Recommendations for switching to lithium ( Battle Born ) would be about $4,000 more in equivalent batteries.Battle Born batteries are 100AH, the 395 have ~200AH of potential usage if you're trying to keep them from discharging less than 50%. For the ~600AH of availability across all the batteries, you would need 12 Battle Born's. 6 pairs in series for the 24V, which would only have the 100Ah each, then those pairs in parallel. 4b. Then comes the bigger issue, having to potentially make modifications to get the Battle Born's to fit because they might need to be stacked on top of each other, and ultimately the biggest one.. Whether it's the inverter or something else that's doing the charging, it might only have a couple charging presets and not support LiFePO4 charging, which would result in additional costs for a new charging setup. 5. AGM's may be nice in regards to lack of maintenance, but think about the potential cost if there was even such an equivalent at this form factor/amp hour rating for AGM. Somewhere in the range of 50-100% more. Maybe less likely than the lithium, but if the hardware is old enough, it might not even properly support AGM.

[@bobr6078]

Checking batteries is RV101 - like stated check monthly or pre-trip check off list

[@kd5oldman]

I have flooded lead acid batteries and I have a filler system. Once a month I drop the end of the tube in my gallon of distilled water and give the squeeze bulb a few squeezes until water comes out the last cell cap and we're good to go. Someday Lithium.

[@PhilipHousel]

I might have asked before. Would LiFePO4 batteries be worth considering for no maintenance and long life/high charge cycles? Looks like T225 6v batteries? That a lot of lead!

[@Claps1775]

Do you have a video on why house batteries boil when charging?

[@phillipmorris1334]

hello from the ozarks Darren! how do u check the control board if its working on an atwood water heater im getting current on the switch inside when I turn it on and off but nothing happens outside with the water heater. thanks

[@AntonioRuiz-xw4bw]

Great video, I have to replace a damage slide topper and I wish you were in Miami to help me with this job

[@MyRVWorks]

Hi Antonio, We have a video that may help you here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpa9fJmmj7SSmKc Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team

[@mommyorchid5126]

You work surrounded by the beauty of the Lord's creation.. How blessed are you?!

[@MyRVWorks]

Amen!

[@MyRVWorks]

Very blessed!

[@tommarsden1034]

Last fall i did a job where the 8D batteries(Gell) melted together. I had to hammer and chisel the cases apart to get them out of the battery box

[@MyRVWorks]

Hey Tom, Sounds like a nasty job! Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team.

[@willwillis2381]

Please give me the series of event and in the order of; to turn on and run a rv furnace. Atwood 8535. Thanks, you make great vids.

[@NYCamper62]

When you remove the cap this opens the 'fill well'. Water (electrolyte) level should reach the ring or just below it is fine. Also a good idea to use a battery hydrometer to check the density / weight of the electrolyte. Should be 1250+. All wet cell batteries 12v or deep cycle 6v's produce hydrogen when they charge. Make sure your bank is vented. This cycling is what 'boils' off the water. I check my bank (4x gc2's in series/parallel) about once a month and add maybe a cup or so of water. Checking the cells with the hydrometer after. I feel this also helps ensure a good mix. My gc2's are from 2015 and still going. Cheers, happy camping.

[@MyRVWorks]

Distilled water only please! ;-)

[@clintstevenson1214]

I wonder if they make an auto battery filler that fills them up at once like they have for golf carts?

[@larryreno8293]

Damn!! That’s an expensive less not learned.

[@tonygonzalez9970]

You might want to tell the coach owner not to go back to whoever's installed the batteries. A simple search found that brand and model for $350 each. 350X12 would be $4200. He got ripped off

[@Tom-Fisherman]

I wouldn't be so myopic to not believe he paid $10k (WITH LABOR) for that system. I was $95/hour and with those large Xantrex inverters themselves were more than half of that cost. Additional parts and labor add up!

[@patrickstiltner1207]

I tell people that all the time.

[@MyRVWorks]

Yes, continue to educate others. Thank you.

[@Mastermechanicman]

He need to clarify distilled…. Yes last minute he said distilled!!!!!

[@robertosgood961]

Also noticed the corrosion on some wires and terminals. Gotta learn about your rv and do some maintenance, either that or get to writing another check.

[@miatared]

Me thinks they should go with LiFePO4 batteries for their next adventure. Battle Born batteries would work. Looks like he/she can afford this investment.

[@theadventurecrew5719]

Crown are excellent batteries, not the batteries fault that the owner neglected them. Look into crown and how they are constructed. Made in America as well.

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

If your too Rich and can't check the water Pay someone to check the levels ,,,,, Man its is simple maintenance , He needs to buy AGM so no refills or better buy 4 Lithium get the same amps ,, that's $4000 Great vid can't wait for the next R.J.T Traveling the east coast of Australia NO MORE LOCK DOWN FOLKS < >>>>>>FREDOM

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you! Happy camping!

[@rebekahwells3737]

My sister leaves a few miles from there. She sends me views of the water everyday!

[@annekoepp5572]

It is gorgeous!

[@sheila9358]

What was his reason for not checking the water level?

[@plowhand5591]

😊

[@glaw556]

I thought most deep cycle low (or no) maintenance batteries did not require checking for water level. Are you saying that at least once a year you should check the water levels?

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

Them batteries are NOT low maintenance They are just plain flooded led acid ,, They should be checked every month or so

[@dirkbergstrom9751]

Don't fill each battery cell with distilled water... keep the level above the top of the lead plates. About 1/2" is good, and if using your batteries every day, check the levels every 2 weeks (every week in super hot southern desert weather!

[@robertgarbe6348]

I am guessing that a high level of usage and extreme discharge charge cycles are contributing. Are you sure the charger wasn’t over charging..? They definitely need Li batteries.

[@MyRVWorks]

No chargers were not over charging!

[@davidreyburn5548]

Or get AGM batteries if you dont want to do battery maintenance

[@mstewpie]

Question about batteries, I picked up my trailer from storage, went to tow it, none of the tail lights worked, is it because my battery could be discharged? Should I be removing the battery during the winter, or installing a disconnect? And speaking of fluid, I have an AGM, what is the maintenance for it?

[@lancealot3867]

If your taillights do not work it’s because it’s not plugged in all the way to your tow vehicle or there is a bad connection there. Your taillights only run off your tow vehicle. You can remove your trailer battery completely and they will still work as they get their power from the tow vehicle.

[@vanvorst1999]

"DOH!" - Homer Simpson

[@user-xn7bz2tk9k]

I do not have a converter in my fifth wheel RV what in the hell am I supposed to do since our power it’s not stay on without charging the battery every 12 hours and swapping it out with another please someone help

[@Nuck82]

Little sad I just came across this video. I've worked in automotive service for 15 years, where we just replace batteries when bad, thought "servicing" a battery was an old school thing that wasn't done anymore. Welp I've had my new 5th wheel for 3 years and noticed batteries aren't holding a charge 2 days ago. And both interstate batteries were done dry. Added a gallon of distilled between the 2. And hoping they recover. Only a $200 bill if not, and I'll take that over $10,000 any day.

[@chachi5975]

Batteries don't die, they are murdered!

[@hillbillyrv]

I have seen many dry batteries in my career. A wet battery does not like to be dry.

[@bsjcook]

Any chance his battery charger is of poor quality or is overcharging the batteries, boiling the water off? I had that problem and installed a 4 cycle charger to keep them at a "float" charge. I know you are aware of all that.... Thanks!

[@Robnord1]

The charger is rather sophisticated, and is built into those inverters. They even have battery temperature sensors available, but in this case they were probably improperly installed or not utilized.

[@bsjcook]

@@Robnord1 Thanks for the nice reply, and we're sorta saying the same thing ... something was boiling those batteries continuously or almost ... oh the price of the school of hard knocks! :)

[@Kiptanui]

I really hope murder hornets don’t like ac shrouds in Washington.

[@riseup3117]

Distilled water, not just a gallon jug of water

[@nolancharmianbeall5450]

That’s why people should not buy a motor coach because it’s so romantic or so cool! If you don’t have a lick of mechanical sense or common sense, don’t buy a motor coach.........we’ve had ours for 10 years and love it, but other than major motor or transmission repair, I do all of the servicing and maintenance on ours. But than again, I’m an ole farm boy who’s father was a blacksmith and was born with a wrench in my hand. Now if you have more money than sense, get after it, you can afford it. The service people love you........😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MyRVWorks]

Thank you!

[@growland29024]

Time to go with AGM or Lithium if he can, using a 24 v system it should be cheaper

[@williamlambert2865]

Sucks when you fail to do simple maintenance!

[@stevepemberton1273]

Does that mean you only answer questions if you pay? Sorry not sure but I think that is what your saying. Oh that's right you won't answer this question either lol catch 22

[@PNWTruckCamper]

Eh just clean the terminals and rewater them. You’ll have 50% of the original amp hours for a few months 😂

[@theadventurecrew5719]

I only see about a couple thousand ish worth of batteries, but that's still an expensive mistake!

[@mkroach59]

WOW ! I guess you can't buy common sense.

[@georgefenrich4119]

SAD... I HOPE THE "L" YOU TALKED HIM INTO >> LITHIUM

[@garykarnes6514]

You take way to long to get to the point. Knock it off please.