FLEETWOOD MOTOR HOMES
BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS

1.   By far the number one problem with the auxiliary “house” batteries is simply discharged batteries. Any parasitic load over time will discharge the batteries, i.e. LP Detectors.

2.       Assume that the batteries are good! The number of batteries that are actually defective in the first few years is very, very low. The deep cycle batteries in your Fleetwood are designed to work every day for years. So, if you haven’t used your batteries for hundreds of hours, they probably need only a strong equalization charge.

3.        If your battery has been discharged completely, it may take several days to recharge with a small charger. Before proceeding to a dealer or service point, thoroughly charge the batteries. Discharged batteries can not be properly tested or evaluated.

4.       The following table in hours will apply to you if your batteries are dead due to discharge.

                                                               6V 225 Amp T-105’s                    12V 85 Amp 24TM
                                                        2 Batteries In Series (12V)                One Battery
Charger Type - 12-Volts                      Recharge Time              Recharge Time

                   4 Amp                                      66.0 hours                               25.0 hours
                   6 Amp                                     44.0 hours                               17.0 hours
                   10 Amp                                   26.0 hours                                10.0 hours
                   12Amp                                    22.0 hours                                  8.0 hours
                   15 Amp                                   17.5 hours                               6.7 hours
                   20Amp                                    13.l hours                                5.0 hours
                   30 Amp                                     8.7 hours                              3.3 hours
                   40 Amp                                     6.5 hours                              2.5 hours
                   5OAmp                                     5.3 hours                               — *-
                   60 Amp                                     4.4 hours
                   75 Amp                                     3.5 hours

In units with four batteries, charging times will double using the same charge rate.  * Do not charge at over 40 Amps.

5.       The most effective manner in which to recharge thoroughly discharged batteries that have been sitting in a discharged condition is slowly. The batteries’ ability to accept a charge has been hampered when it has been totally drained. It may take hours to begin to charge.

6.       Only after recharging a battery can a battery be properly evaluated. If after charging the battery it is determined to have a bad cell or no ability to hold a load, then replace the defective battery.

7.        If the batteries are less than two years old, replace only the defective battery in the set. It is not necessary to replace both batteries.

8.    Discharged batteries are likely to freeze in many cold climates. Be sure to fully charge the batteries and completely disconnect the battery pack from any electrical draw before storing your Fleetwood for the winter. The following note and table are published by Battery Council International (BCI) and are applicable to batteries from any manufacturer:

“If the batteries become discharged, the electrolyte can freeze when stored below +20 (-7⁰C). To prevent damage due to freezing, do not store batteries below this temperature. The chart following shows temperatures at which the electrolyte, in various states of charge, starts to freeze. These are the approximate points at which ice crystals start to form. The electrolyte does not freeze solid until a lower temperature is reached. Solid freezing of electrolyte in a discharged battery will damage the plates and may crack the container.”

“A 3/4 charged battery is in no danger of freezing. Therefore, batteries should be kept at least 3/4 charged, especially during winter weather. The state-of-charge should be checked every thirty days.”

9.      The following table will allow you to determine the state of charge with a volt meter.

                    Open Circuit Volts                    Percent Charge

                    12.6 or greater                                 100%

                    12.4-12.6                                          75-100%

                    12.2-12.4                                          50-75%

                    12.0-12.2                                          25-50%

                    11.7-12.0                                           0-25%

                    11.7 or less                                          0%

If you should encounter battery trouble, the following battery types are recommended for replacement.

Group Size                 Type                                Reserve Capacity at 25 Amps

T-105                 Deep-Cycle,6-Volt 220-Amp Hour                        420 Mins.
24                      Deep-Cycle, 12-Volt                                              135 Mins.
27                      Deep-Cycle, 12-Volt                                              160 Mins.

IMPORTANT:

Make sure replacement battery is a deep cycle battery. For maximum performance and long life, ask for Trojan batteries.

TROJAN BATTERY COMPANY

I 2360 CLARK ST SANTA FE SPRINGS. CA 90670 · (562) 946-8381 (714) 521-8215 FAX (562)9414036

5174 MINOLA DRIVE, LITHONIA, GA 300389 · (770) 981 8674 ·FAX (770) 981-7717

5/8/98

Webmaster Note:

  This article was prepared from a document included in the motorhome .  However, we had to use OCR software to capture for web site and some errors are thus possible.  We have proof read several times but no guarantees are given that it is error free.  Please advise us should you find any errors or omissions.