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12-26-2019, 04:25 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2015 30' Flying Cloud
Port Sanilac
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 145
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Battery Load Testing Question
What do I need to properly test my 4-5 year old Interstate STM 24 flooded cell batteries? Is a hydrometer good enuf? Or, should I invest in a load testing gadget? If so, which one? They all seam geared to automotive, cold cranking amps and such, which of course, does not apply to my 2015 FC 30 with original batteries. I’m trying to decide if I need to replace them for the upcoming camping season.
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12-26-2019, 06:02 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Globetrotter
Apollo Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,401
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I use this hydrometer: https://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Red-SP101.../dp/B000JFHMRU It will identify the condition of each cell when used after the battery is fully charged.
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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12-26-2019, 09:24 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2017 19' International
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 938
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So, while we are talking hydrometers ... how do you use one?
I have a simple version — a bulb and a tube, with different colored balls.
How do I read that to get good info?
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01-05-2020, 04:29 AM
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#4
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Registered User
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Fairfield
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 905
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The way I learned how to use one is I went to the University of YouTube, it is easier in this case to watch a visual presentation than to explain verbally.
Thanks,
Matti
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01-05-2020, 06:44 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,103
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You need to replace them. That is a long time for flooded cells. You could go up to group 27 when you do for a little more capacity. You do not use the batteries much. Might as well have some reserve though if you do need them.
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01-05-2020, 07:19 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2018 23' Flying Cloud
Peru
, Illinois
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 187
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Get a Load Tester
Quote:
Originally Posted by pontzdav
What do I need to properly test my 4-5 year old Interstate STM 24 flooded cell batteries? Is a hydrometer good enuf? Or, should I invest in a load testing gadget? If so, which one? ...
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My automotive mechanic recommended this OTC SPX tester. I bought it. No regrets.
zoz
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-3182-130-...SIN=B000F5HU6W
__________________
Cindy & Randy
2018 AS Flying Cloud 23FB
2018 GMC Sierra Denali 4x4 6.2L
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01-05-2020, 07:48 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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The hydrometer is inexpensive and provides and excellent indication of flooded cell battery condition when the battery is fully charged and the cells are equalized and regenerated as much as possible. Check to be sure your shore power charger has an "equalize" mode and that it has been connected for a sufficient time period. Read about this online, if you have questions.
The high amperage automotive "starting battery" testers are fine, but not ideal for testing realistic condition of deep cell batteries because you generally don't use more than 50 amps per battery unless you have upgraded your inverter. A 10-50 amp test is more realistic and accurate. Get one if you want, it will alert you to a weak battery so I suppose it will get the job done.
If your battery has not been run dead more than once, then 4-5 years is not old for a deep cycle battery. Don't replace them until after you have tested them and found them to be weak by say more that 10% or unless you know the group 24 does not have the capacity you need for future camping.
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01-05-2020, 10:02 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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I have a couple of hydrometers from Amazon that are easy to use or you can get into temperature offsets if you want. Red, white, green, pretty easy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rch_asin_title
I also have the HF battery load tester, but I rarely use it. It's good for sealed batteries but most of mine are accessible using the hydrometer.
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-am...ter-61747.html
I have had varying luck with batteries, some dying in a year, some several years old and my favorite, a Panasonic that came in 2003 with my 2004 4Runner. That's 16+ years old and will still charge up to, and hold at, 80%. It's a group 27 starting battery and will crank the V8 4Runner even in cold temps. It's been relegated to the garage shelf because of age but when a neighbor needs a jump I put it on the dolly with the jumper cables and away we go.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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01-06-2020, 04:13 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2015 30' Flying Cloud
Port Sanilac
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 145
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Thanks for the help
Thanks to all for the help. I ordered a hydrometer. One last question. Will the group 27 batteries fit in the battery box on my 2015 FC 30?
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01-06-2020, 11:57 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pontzdav
Thanks to all for the help. I ordered a hydrometer. One last question. Will the group 27 batteries fit in the battery box on my 2015 FC 30?
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You can Google whatever brand/size of battery you want to use and get the physical dimensions. Compare to the battery box on your AS to see if they will fit. There are some on here who have rebuilt/enlarged their external battery box. There are others who have purchased AGM batteries and used them inside (mounted under the bed e.g.) for more amp hours when boon docking.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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01-10-2020, 09:13 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pontzdav
Thanks to all for the help. I ordered a hydrometer. One last question. Will the group 27 batteries fit in the battery box on my 2015 FC 30?
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The Group 27s will fit. AS uses AGM 27s when the larger trailers are outfitted with solar chargers
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