Main battery - curb side or street-side?

[jw21id]

I have a 2001 Excella 25 that my wife & I bought last fall and just purchased 2 batteries to replace the older existing ones. Which is the main battery, curb side or street side?

[OTRA15]

Good move to bounce over to this sub-forum.

What does your owner's manual say? Is there a battery selection switch for 1, 2 or both?

Peter

[n2916s]

They are wired in parallel so there is no “main” battery.

[jw21id]

Peter - best I can come up with from a wiring diagram in the manual is that they must work in conjunction with each other, although it does list the second battery as being additional, even though I connect each one in its tray. One of the new batteries has slightly more reserve capacity, that's why I was wondering which could be the main one.

Checked the coach, just have the battery kill switch. No indicator behind the sofa against front wall in regards to battery # 1 or # 2.


Jim

[jw21id]

Thanks Mike!

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the updates . . . happy trails!

Peter

[Bill M.]

The batteries should be matched in age and capacity. I have no idea what happens if they are not. I have always bought them in pairs.

[OTRA15]

Jim this Battery School is good general background reading FYI.

http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/batteryschool.cfm

Peter

FYI
FWIW

[guskmg]

Here are some handy tips on batteries: If left in parallel the stronger battery will discharge to the lowest battery. That's why individual master switches are use in marine applications. Or use a switch you can select either one or both. Having said that, if you leave them in storage with both off, one won't effect the other. However, if both were adequately de-sulfated they would read the same resting voltage anyway. Now for the confusing information. Several years ago GM determined that in parallel situations the batteries will not be harmed if they have different levels of resting charge and are of different ages. My Duramax GM has beed through 6 different batteries only changing out one at a time. They all have lasted 5-6 years which is normal for these batteries. Now, Interstate says that when you charge batteries in parallel to place the charger positive clamp on one battery and the negative clamp on the other battery for equal charging. Just in case you haven't hear all this info. It can be most confusing at best.
guskmg