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06-27-2022, 03:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar
State: California
Posts: 891
THOR #22927
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Battery Numbers
Hi. I have a Miramar 37.1 Miramar. With 4-each 6-volt batteries, and 1-each 12-volt chassis battery. How do these battery voltage numbers look.
Thank you
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06-27-2022, 03:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,760
THOR #13932
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Perfect
But
Look up
'Surface charge'
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06-27-2022, 03:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: Maryland
Posts: 107
THOR #25281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy Grampa
Hi. I have a Miramar 37.1 Miramar. With 4-each 6-volt batteries, and 1-each 12-volt chassis battery. How do these battery voltage numbers look.
Thank you
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Those numbers look good to me. Hopefully you diconnected the batteries from one another before you tested with volt meter. If not your numbers can be skewed by a weak or bad battery. How old are your batteries? If in doubt you can always load test them to be sure and remove all doubt. Good Luck
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06-27-2022, 03:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar
State: California
Posts: 891
THOR #22927
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Thanks. My Batteries are one year old. Good idea to disconnect each one to test. I will do that also.
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06-27-2022, 03:51 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2011 FW Hurricane 33T
State: England
Posts: 1,280
THOR #16471
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Fyi
In a 4-6V configuration you only need to open both series circuits (at the same time), then each battery will be isolated. No need to remove all connections.
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06-27-2022, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar
State: California
Posts: 891
THOR #22927
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Thank you. Good information.
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06-27-2022, 04:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,760
THOR #13932
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Take pictures before disconnecting anything
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06-27-2022, 05:20 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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I have had GEM cars since they came out with them.
Since they had 6 gel 12v batteries and we tried to maximize the time between changes and targeted 5 years or more we tested individual batteries when one was suspect. I did go to AGM when they became available
You do not have to disconnect anything, just use a good quality voltmeter and test the voltage of each battery. Test when drawing no or minimal load.
The disconnect each battery is an old wife's tale that persist as an urban myth.
All you doubters give it a try next time you have a battery issue in a battery bank
They key to long battery life is a three-stage charger with temperature compensation all in working order and of course water levels if FLA. And of course, not discharging below the recommended level for your batteries.
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06-27-2022, 05:26 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguir
I have had GEM cars since they came out with them.
Since they had 6 gel 12v batteries and we tried to maximize the time between changes and targeted 5 years or more we tested individual batteries when one was suspect. I did go to AGM when they became available
You do not have to disconnect anything, just use a good quality voltmeter and test the voltage of each battery. Test when drawing no or minimal load.
The disconnect each battery is an old wife's tale that persist as an urban myth.
All you doubters give it a try next time you have a battery issue in a battery bank
They key to long battery life is a three-stage charger with temperature compensation all in working order and of course water levels if FLA. And of course, not discharging below the recommended level for your batteries.
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No way to test connected batteries individually if they are connected in parallel.
Even in a 2p2s configuration, if left connected an individual 6 volt battery can provide a false high voltage due to the parallel leg.
The "no need to disconnect" applies only if a single series string.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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06-27-2022, 05:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
No way to test connected batteries individually if they are connected in parallel.
Even in a 2p2s configuration, if left connected an individual 6 volt battery can provide a false high voltage due to the parallel leg.
The "no need to disconnect" applies only if a single series string.
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Try it when you get a chance
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06-27-2022, 06:41 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguir
Try it when you get a chance
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Both theory and practice dictate what I said is correct.
Think about it. Worst case: Put 2 six volt batteries in series; now put a third 6 volt battery in parallel with that series pair. Measure the individual voltage across the three batteries and tell me they're all the same.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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06-27-2022, 08:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguir
I have had GEM cars since they came out with them.
Since they had 6 gel 12v batteries and we tried to maximize the time between changes and targeted 5 years or more we tested individual batteries when one was suspect. I did go to AGM when they became available
You do not have to disconnect anything, just use a good quality voltmeter and test the voltage of each battery. Test when drawing no or minimal load.
The disconnect each battery is an old wife's tale that persist as an urban myth.
All you doubters give it a try next time you have a battery issue in a battery bank
They key to long battery life is a three-stage charger with temperature compensation all in working order and of course water levels if FLA. And of course, not discharging below the recommended level for your batteries.
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Very true, you never need to disconnect the batteries if simply checking voltages on any lead acid battery (assuming you are not charging or discharging the batteries.The nominal minimum charging voltage is 13.1-13.5 volts (6.55 - 6.75 volts) where as the maximum resting battery voltage is 12.7 volts (6.35 volts). So no battery can charge another battery, It takes a battery with a dead, shorted cell to cause a voltage anomaly and like any short in a battery circuit, it will soon deplete all of the charge in all the batteries.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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06-28-2022, 12:13 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Ace 33.1
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,266
THOR #20274
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6V Lead Acid Battery Voltage Charts
6V Sealed Lead Acid Batteries (AGM & Gel)
Voltage Capacity
6.44V 100%
6.39V 90%
6.33V 80%
6.26V 70%
6.20V 60%
6.11V 50%
6.05V 40%
5.98V 30%
5.90V 20%
5.85V 10%
5.81V 0%
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06-28-2022, 12:34 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388
Very true, you never need to disconnect the batteries if simply checking voltages on any lead acid battery (assuming you are not charging or discharging the batteries.The nominal minimum charging voltage is 13.1-13.5 volts (6.55 - 6.75 volts) where as the maximum resting battery voltage is 12.7 volts (6.35 volts). So no battery can charge another battery, It takes a battery with a dead, shorted cell to cause a voltage anomaly and like any short in a battery circuit, it will soon deplete all of the charge in all the batteries.
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What ACE said is correct when there are two or more strings of batteries connected together because the possibility of one or more strong string(s) charging a weaker string is always a possibility. It’s an unlikely scenario, but when you have 4 batteries connected in two strings made up of 2-series 2-parallel, it’s a possibility nonetheless, so if we want more certainty in readings, we need to disconnect the two strings apart at a minimum. One connection should isolate the two strings prior to testing. Of course, the remaining connected string must not be charged during voltage reading as you suggest.
To me, checking voltage without a good load on batteries has limited value anyway.
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06-28-2022, 12:48 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Ace 33.1
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,266
THOR #20274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy Grampa
Hi. I have a Miramar 37.1 Miramar. With 4-each 6-volt batteries, and 1-each 12-volt chassis battery. How do these battery voltage numbers look.
Thank you
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Might be worth it to get a 6 volt battery tester and check the batteries once a year, that way there are no surprises
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06-28-2022, 12:49 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 875
THOR #17478
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I like to measure the voltage, internal resistance, and load test. I do have to disconnect one lead to each battery as I go. I have float caps that show me the level of each cell. My batteries are kept charged from my 500W solar panels.
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2013 Thor Palazzo 33.2
2013 Honda CRV
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07-02-2022, 06:19 PM
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#17
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: British Columbia
Posts: 38
THOR #9668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy Grampa
Hi. I have a Miramar 37.1 Miramar. With 4-each 6-volt batteries, and 1-each 12-volt chassis battery. How do these battery voltage numbers look.
Thank you
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Voltage is not very good indicator. Proper battery test is power under load.
The same voltage batteries could work just half of the time compare with new one. Old battery with good voltage would not start you car, for example. If you are happy with the performance, then they are good.
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07-02-2022, 06:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,584
THOR #13058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldWEB
In a 4-6V configuration you only need to open both series circuits (at the same time), then each battery will be isolated. No need to remove all connections.
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Any reason you would not disconnect at both negative sides of each series?
__________________
2019 Sunstar 29ve; Toad Lincoln Navigator; RVi Brake 3 & Command Center; Roadmaster Nighthawk Tow bar & Baseplate; Sumo Springs; Safe T Plus; Onan EC-30 AGS; Vmax 250ah AGM; T-Mobile Internet; H/W Heater / Chassis Disconnect Switches; Southwire Surge Guard 44270 & 34951 w/Monitor 40301; Jet Flo Macerator; Alpine SPE500 Speakers; Visio M21D-H8R
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07-02-2022, 07:06 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,584
THOR #13058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguir
They key to long battery life is a three-stage charger with temperature compensation all in working order and of course water levels if FLA. And of course, not discharging below the recommended level for your batteries.
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Given you may have a very good quality three stage intelligent charger... why is temperature compensation needed?
My AGM mfg did not say or recommend anything about temperature compensation.
__________________
2019 Sunstar 29ve; Toad Lincoln Navigator; RVi Brake 3 & Command Center; Roadmaster Nighthawk Tow bar & Baseplate; Sumo Springs; Safe T Plus; Onan EC-30 AGS; Vmax 250ah AGM; T-Mobile Internet; H/W Heater / Chassis Disconnect Switches; Southwire Surge Guard 44270 & 34951 w/Monitor 40301; Jet Flo Macerator; Alpine SPE500 Speakers; Visio M21D-H8R
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07-02-2022, 07:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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https://www.batteryminders.com/tempe...-compensation/
Over heating batteries in hot temps is the biggest issue
For you purist
Voltage test will indicate if you have an anomaly, then you load test
You have more time to waste than I choose to if you always disconnect
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