siggyd777
Northern Illinois
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Joined: 01/19/2005
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How old were your Batteries ???--My Alliance (Freightliner) batteries are 4 years old--so far,so good.
Happy Trails
Siggy & Ursula
05 Kountry Star DP 3720,FTL XC
CAT C7 330HP,Allison MH3000
2005 Saturn VUE AWD V6 , Brake Buddy,Roadmaster XL,Falcon II
Camping since 1975 Pop-Up,1986 22Ft.TT,1999 Gas MH,2005 DP
FMCA 368283 , NKK 17385
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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You could get battery chargers like I mention so you could be charging both sets of batteries by running the gen set 2-3 hours a month.
I have heard of people letting a diesel run all night at idle. 
The only good way with not power for batteries to set all winter is by a nice fire with a tender. It is a lot of work but battery cables should be pulled every year anyway.
The gas MH has a lot of advantages over a diesel in these unimproved remote storage cases. That the battery or jump the gen set and boot strap yourself back into business. This is only mentioned for those looked at the differences before buying based on planned usage.
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ReadytoRide
Alexandria, VA
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Joined: 11/15/2004
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The coach is just over 2 years old. I'm not sure how old the chassis batteries are. The labels are a bit dirty. I doubt the chassis is a lot older than the coach is. The house batteries were manufactured in Apr 06, and I purchased the coach in Jul 06.
When we first purchased, plans were for a lot more use, but things changed. DW and I lived in it fulltime for about 6 months, but had to move into an apartment (courtesy of the Army). It has seen limited use since then. It is stored within a few miles of where I work, so getting to it on occasion and running the genset or letting the engine idle for a while isn't a problem. I could go by on my way to the office and start it, let it idle for 2-4 hours and go back and shut it down at lunch - the engine or the genset (or both). Not sure how much fuel it would use, but still cheaper than ruining batteries continuously.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
Cummins ISL 400/Allison 6-spd
FMCA F354960, Good Sam, WIT
2005 Saturn VUE (FWD V6) Toad
with Blue Ox Aventa II and ToadStopQi with ProPort Control braking system
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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wny_pat wrote:That is the big problem with diesels. They take lots of juice to turn over. They are not designed to sit and do nothing. They should be ran every day to charge up the starting batteries. ......
*RASPBERRY!* too partner! Come on into the 21 century
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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ReadytoRide: If there is NO WAY to keep it plugged into 120 VAC....pull the batterys and take them home. Buy the "Battery Tender" and use it at home and a few days prior to taking a trip re-install the batterys in the coach. Take the Battery tender with you camping or on the trip...and when stopped for any length of time...temp hook it back up.
Its a PITA without 120 VAC..but its doable partner
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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10 miles does not even begin to charge those batteries. Can't you find one about 60 miles away. Would be much better for the engine and batteries. Infact, a run down to the Williamsburg area would be much better. Think there is a FamCamp at Ft. Eustis if I remember right.
Oh, Interstate batteries are 30 months I believe. Don't know how long warranty on the ones you have. Should be about the same.
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jimandsue60
North America
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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You probably need to bite the bullet and replace the batteries. You should also check to see if you have a Trik-L-Start installed. Our 07 Vectra had one when we bought it. It is less than 50 dollars and easy to install. You might want to visit the Winnebago Forum at IRV2 for more specific info on Winnebagos.
Jim
2007 Winnebago Vectra 40TD, 2006 Mini Cooper S, 2003 Chevy S-10 4x4 ZR2, Four Wheel Camper Eagle, 2008 Polaris Rzr click here to see our adventures
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ReadytoRide
Alexandria, VA
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Thanks, jimansue60. I know for a fact I don't have one of these in my coach. Mine is an early model year 2007 - it was the first 2007 coach delivered to my dealer, so possibly Winnebago was not putting them on at that time. This may be the route for me to go, after I get new chassis batteries. I guess I should make sure that my house batteries are still good before I put a draw on them like that.
wny_pat: Ft AP Hill also has a nice famcamp - it's just difficult to do those on a weekend. Friday afternoon traffic south out of Alexandria is no fun, and coming back in on a Sunday afternoon isn't a picnic either. As for the warranty, the batteries are Alliance brand (OEM made by Freightliner), and I'm not sure about the warranty period, but I think it was 12 months. I can't remember specifically from my FL manual - I know I couldn't find the battery specs in it.
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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A solar panel would help considerably in your situation.
My coach has an OEM 25W solar panel with a controller. It keeps the chassis batteries charged all winter.
I do drive the coach once a month for 50 to 100 miles per CAT recommendations.
Ken
96 Safari Sahara- 3530, 35', CAT 300
ReadytoRide wrote:rayw: Yes, I know the genset doesn't charge the chassis batteries. I was running it hoping that the coach batteries would charge up enough to use the battery booster to start the engine. I had the chassis battery disconnect turned off, but according to another post, it still feeds the tranny and engine computers.
I have been doing maintenance on my house batteries, water, etc. I even used a charger to desulfate them before our summer outings and they had been doing fine. This is the first time I have had a problem with them.
I am going to pull the batteries tomorrow or Monday and get them load-tested, although I am confident they will fail. If so, I will get replacements, and see about getting a battery maintainer.
For those who recommended the Battery minder or tender? Do these require 120V AC? At my storage location, I don't have access to any power. I will have to see if any of the outside plug work off the inverter to plug it in if so...and will this not cause a problem for the house batteries?
UltraKen
Ex -1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Cat 300 - Model 3530
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2396883070036776819PnWVFp
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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UltraKen
Ohio
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One more thing.
You might want to check with your engine manufacturer about long idle times.
I believe both CAT and Cummins recommend AGAINST long idle times, but check with the manufacturer yourself.
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