Checking water level in batteries

[Lambchop]

I have a fairly new Chateau 31W. 2020 model year. How in the world am I going to be able to check and maintain water levels in my house batteries when they are installed like this? See pics.




Any help or suggestions?

[Bob Denman]

It's not as bad as you think: it just takes a bit of elbow grease and planning!
FIRST: mark each cable with a number, and then take lots of pictures of the connections, and make a list (and map!); of exactly where each cable connects.
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!
Disconnect everything, and pull the batteries out of the bay.
Check the water levels, and add distilled water as needed. (I assume that you've got this part down pat...)
Then... just slide them back into place, and re-connect things exactly the way you mapped it all out.

Good luck!

[OldWEB]

What Bob D. says and if you know you can do it, modify the wiring layout to better access the vent plugs for ease of maintenance. I myself would look at turning the batteries 180 degrees, but you have to know how to properly reconnect them.
And while the batteries are out a good cleaning can be done and a proper recce for any hidden fuses or such that may be under there.

Good luck!
Oh, and always remember, Negative off first and connected LAST.

[aznytfury]

what about hooking up permanent fill tubes that have an extension? Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by aznytfury

what about hooking up permanent fill tubes that have an extension? Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's your best option, all filled at once. It takes longer to fetch the bottle of water than to fill ALL batteries.

[Pete'sMH]

Another vote for the flow rite filler. It’s easy and foolproof. Rather than connect the water fill lines to the batteries in series I put a tee fitting in a line between them so both batteries fill at the same time instead of one then the other. Just note that the fill pump thing is sold separately from the caps. One of the best accessories for anyone who uses flooded batteries.

[LDK]

Absolutely!!!

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Another vote for the flow rite filler. It’s easy and foolproof. Rather than connect the water fill lines to the batteries in series I put a tee fitting in a line between them so both batteries fill at the same time instead of one then the other. Just note that the fill pump thing is sold separately from the caps. One of the best accessories for anyone who uses flooded batteries.

[DbleDutch]

My system is off with the negative connections and zip ty them together, then same with the positive. Water bat cells and reverse the process.

[mcr1010]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Another vote for the flow rite filler. It’s easy and foolproof. Rather than connect the water fill lines to the batteries in series I put a tee fitting in a line between them so both batteries fill at the same time instead of one then the other. Just note that the fill pump thing is sold separately from the caps. One of the best accessories for anyone who uses flooded batteries.

Little tip here; I have the Flow-rite system on my house batteries and to avoid buying the expensive pump, use a ketchup dispenser bottle found at any Dollar Store of big box store. Works great by just slipping the tubing over the nipple on the bottle and squeeze.

[lwmcguire]

when you slide them out, replace them with AGM

[TxTig]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

That's your best option, all filled at once. It takes longer to fetch the bottle of water than to fill ALL batteries.

Totally agree. I just topped off my batteries yesterday. Took less than two minutes. The system is not cheap, but well worth the investment. My first set of batteries died a premature death because of my failure to maintain properly. That won’t happen again.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

when you slide them out, replace them with AGM

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1588878954

[rynosback]

Been using the Flow-Rite system for 5 years now. Love it! Makes it so easy to maintain the battery’s.

[Yaktop]

Wet batteries were a pia. Invested into agm’s and a 100 solar panel and best decision ever. They were direct replacements so no bs like i would had had if I went to lithium. Got a vitron monitor and it will alert me if I drain them to low.

Less worry less to do

[Lt Keefer]

Yeah, go AGM.

[Bob Denman]

Which brand AGM battery do you suggest?

[lwmcguire]

I have several different brands of AGM's and the one I prefer for MH is the Trojan T-105 AGM. Only the second year on the last batch but the hold voltage much better when stored and certainly out performed the OEM's for boon docking. Used to use 2 T-105's in the Landmark with no issues

The ones that come in my Fords seem to hold up well but not sure who makes them
ATV/UTV and others around the place are just whatever was a good price and available when purchased but haven't had any issues with any of them

[Yaktop]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Which brand AGM battery do you suggest?

Optima Blue Tops

[Davidgrape]

I have a 2015 31w and it still has the original house batteries (2 x 12volt). From what I can tell they are NOT to be opened and water added. I've had no problems. I have run them down a couple of times, but so far no problems.

[Leadgator]

Replace with sealed batteries.