Replacing House Batteries 2016 Excursion 33D

  • 06/17/2019 11:11 PM
    Message # 7584800
    Deleted user

    After 3 years, the 4 six volt house batteries are about done.  I am thinking of replacing them with 2 twelve volt batteries.  What are the pros and cons of that substitution? 

  • 06/18/2019 8:15 AM
    Reply # 7585313 on 7584800
    Deleted user

    The best answer I've seen is here:  

    https://rvhelponline.com/rv-batteries-12-volt-vs-6-volt/

  • 06/18/2019 10:24 AM
    Reply # 7585638 on 7584800
    Deleted user

    As a fellow owner of a 2015 33D, I understand why you want to get away from replacing 4 batteries. Whoever designed the battery placement should be forced to water them monthly and replace a set. I spent two days removing the batteries to install a watering system and refurbish the compartment behind the rear wheels with a partial sheet metal floor. I will never replace lead acid batteries in that forward compartment.

    That said, two ordinary 12 volt batteries would be a significant downgrade in performance.So 4 more expensive gel or AGM batteries will be my SECOND choice when it comes time to replace.

    my FIRST choice will be two 12 volt lithium batteries. Performance and endurance are amazing compared to ordinary batteries, and prices are dropping. Still an expensive way to go, but if planning to keep your coach for many years should be a good investment.

  • 07/04/2019 10:07 AM
    Reply # 7754285 on 7584800
    Bill & Laura Johnson (Administrator)

    While replacing the batteries is always a major task, as you track what wire goes where, clean all the terminals, etc. maintenance for water level is made much easier with a fill system. We added the fill system caps and plumbing several years ago and it makes the task of topping off the water (major source of battery failure is low water) a 2 minute task that doesn't even get my hands dirty. Google RV battery fill system and you will find a variety of choices.

    We also found that we get the best deal on batteries by contacting a local golf cart shop, not RV shops. We live north of Atlanta and just south is a golf cart community and we found the batteries at 1/2 what most RV shops wanted. Exact same Trojan battery!

  • 07/04/2019 4:37 PM
    Reply # 7758237 on 7584800
    Deleted user

    thanks for all the help....replaced with 4 Duracell Batteries....about 160 more amp hours than the US 1800 that were in there....the only battery that was a pita was the higher one in the front....build a slide board to lay on the outer ledge of the mount which made uninstall and install easier....had a friend help which turned a one man 4 hour  project into an hour twenty....did buy a flow rite watering system...the old batteries were dry, explaining their failure...checking the water as they are installed is not possible...now can keep track of water levels on a monthly basis....the watering system should have been installed at manufacture---I would gladly have paid extra for it....


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