Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum - Need to replace starting batteries.

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Hello All,
Just got back from overseas and found that I need to replace my 3 starting
batteries. Does anyone recommend a replacement type? Also can they be replaced
just like a car battery? I notice an orange wire to the plus side of one on the
batteries; do not know what it is for. Do I have to be cautioned about anything
before doing this? I am aware that you don't touch leads and remove the AC from
the wall.
Thanks
Nelson
Westminster, Md.
1994 40ft WB

Hi Nelson

To buy batteries for your chassis itÃ¢â¬â¢s a good idea to buy from a supplier you do business with and will be there for you if you have any warranty issues in the future.

There should be a Cole Hersee battery switch just above the batteries on the firewall you need to turn to the off position before doing any work.Also remove any 110 V

source and turn of the inverter(s).Use baking soda and water for cleaning the tray and cables also.Just remember battery acid is corrosive.

It is also a good idea to take a picture of the setup before you begin in case you are interrupted for any reason.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41

I don't own a BB, but would advise you to sketch out a diagram of your batteries as they sit in the tray, marking both positive and negative terminal locations. Then, using masking tape or labels, label your cable connections from left to right (for example: L+1, L+2, L-1, etc.), and annotate on your sketch. Be sure to get every cable, regardless of size. This will allow you to get the new batteries oriented properly and reconnect all the cables to the right terminal of the right battery.

Gary

SOB

Sent from Gary's iPhone

On May 7, 2011, at 12:00 PM, "Fred Hulse" <"fhulse@wildblue.net"> wrote:

Hi Nelson

To buy batteries for your chassis itÃ¢â¬â¢s a good idea to buy from a supplier you do business with and will be there for you if you have any warranty issues in the future.

There should be a Cole Hersee battery switch just above the batteries on the firewall you need to turn to the off position before doing any work.Also remove any 110 V

source and turn of the inverter(s).Use baking soda and water for cleaning the tray and cables also.Just remember battery acid is corrosive.

It is also a good idea to take a picture of the setup before you begin in case you are interrupted for any reason.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41

Nelson:

Everybody has their own opinion as to batteries. Almost three years ago, I
replaced all of my batteries, starting and house with Maitenance Free Interstate
Workaholics. I bought the Charge Wizard chip for my two InteliPower inverters
and I keep my bird plugged up all the time. Not a problem in all the time I've
had them and I was able to buy them (all 16) for about 90 bucks apiece. I agree
wholeheartedly in trading with a local dealer that you know, that way if you
have a problem you've got somebody to talk to. I don't know how your coach is
configured but on mine in the electrical compartment (rear streetside), you
should have the "high/low" switch flipped to "high", that way all my batteries
will charge simultaneously.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "nelsons" wrote:
>
> Hello All,
> Just got back from overseas and found that I need to replace my 3 starting
batteries. Does anyone recommend a replacement type? Also can they be replaced
just like a car battery? I notice an orange wire to the plus side of one on the
batteries; do not know what it is for. Do I have to be cautioned about anything
before doing this? I am aware that you don't touch leads and remove the AC from
the wall.
> Thanks
> Nelson
> Westminster, Md.
> 1994 40ft WB
>

Thanks Tommy,
I had my Switch on LOW. I just switched it to HIGH. Maybe you can help me
regarding the "Battery Switch on the dash". I thought if I push the switch all
the way to the right it would add the HOUSE batteries and allow the bus to crank
easier?
In my case it did not work.
Thanks Again,
Nelson
Westmister, Md 40ft WB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "magnus caeruleus avis"
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Nelson:
>
> Everybody has their own opinion as to batteries. Almost three years ago, I
replaced all of my batteries, starting and house with Maitenance Free Interstate
Workaholics. I bought the Charge Wizard chip for my two InteliPower inverters
and I keep my bird plugged up all the time. Not a problem in all the time I've
had them and I was able to buy them (all 16) for about 90 bucks apiece. I agree
wholeheartedly in trading with a local dealer that you know, that way if you
have a problem you've got somebody to talk to. I don't know how your coach is
configured but on mine in the electrical compartment (rear streetside), you
should have the "high/low" switch flipped to "high", that way all my batteries
will charge simultaneously.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "nelsons" wrote:
> >
> > Hello All,
> > Just got back from overseas and found that I need to replace my 3 starting
batteries. Does anyone recommend a replacement type? Also can they be replaced
just like a car battery? I notice an orange wire to the plus side of one on the
batteries; do not know what it is for. Do I have to be cautioned about anything
before doing this? I am aware that you don't touch leads and remove the AC from
the wall.
> > Thanks
> > Nelson
> > Westminster, Md.
> > 1994 40ft WB
> >
>

Nelson,

Yes, that is how that dash switch should tie the battery banks together. My 91
also has an LED on the dash to indicate when the switch is pushed to the right
and the banks are tied together. If the house batteries are fully charged, they
should definitely help the starting. However, the rely on the back firewall has
to work to tie the battery banks together. It may help to have someone flip the
switch while you stand back there listening to be sure the relay engages.

FWIW, I use the same batteries as Tommy, just because they are easier to find on
the road if I need a replacement while traveling.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX - heading to get a battery for the Suburban!

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "nelsons" wrote:
>
> Thanks Tommy,
> I had my Switch on LOW. I just switched it to HIGH. Maybe you can help me
regarding the "Battery Switch on the dash". I thought if I push the switch all
the way to the right it would add the HOUSE batteries and allow the bus to crank
easier?
> In my case it did not work.
> Thanks Again,
> Nelson
> Westmister, Md 40ft WB
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "magnus caeruleus avis"
wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Nelson:
> >
> > Everybody has their own opinion as to batteries. Almost three years ago, I
replaced all of my batteries, starting and house with Maitenance Free Interstate
Workaholics. I bought the Charge Wizard chip for my two InteliPower inverters
and I keep my bird plugged up all the time. Not a problem in all the time I've
had them and I was able to buy them (all 16) for about 90 bucks apiece. I agree
wholeheartedly in trading with a local dealer that you know, that way if you
have a problem you've got somebody to talk to. I don't know how your coach is
configured but on mine in the electrical compartment (rear streetside), you
should have the "high/low" switch flipped to "high", that way all my batteries
will charge simultaneously.
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "nelsons" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello All,
> > > Just got back from overseas and found that I need to replace my 3 starting
batteries. Does anyone recommend a replacement type? Also can they be replaced
just like a car battery? I notice an orange wire to the plus side of one on the
batteries; do not know what it is for. Do I have to be cautioned about anything
before doing this? I am aware that you don't touch leads and remove the AC from
the wall.
> > > Thanks
> > > Nelson
> > > Westminster, Md.
> > > 1994 40ft WB
> > >
> >
>

Thank You for the information Fred.
I just checked my batteries and could not find a Cole Hersee battery switch. It
looks like the hot side of the batteries are attached to an isolated bolt on a
piece of aluminum behind the bank of batteries. The negative sides are also
attached to two bolts on the piece of aluminum. One at the start of the
batteries and one on the other end of the batteries. My only concern is this
orange wire with an inline fuse attached to the plus side of the first battery.
Not sure what this is for. Could not find any info in my documentation.
Thanks
Nelson
Westminster, Md 40ft WB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
>
> Hi Nelson
> To buy batteries for your chassis itÃ¢â¬â¢s a good idea to buy from a supplier
you do business with and will be there for you if you have any warranty issues
in the future.
> There should be a Cole Hersee battery switch just above the batteries on the
firewall you need to turn to the off position before doing any work.Also remove
any 110 V
> source and turn of the inverter(s).Use baking soda and water for cleaning the
tray and cables also.Just remember battery acid is corrosive.
> It is also a good idea to take a picture of the setup before you begin in case
you are interrupted for any reason.
> Fred & Jeanne Hulse
> Morristown,Arizona
> 97 WLWB41
>

Take a picture with a digital camera. Much better way and no lost time.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Sat, 5/7/11, Gary Smith wrote:

From: Gary Smith Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Need to replace starting batteries.
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 11:17 AM

I don't own a BB, but would advise you to sketch out a diagram of your batteries as they sit in the tray, marking both positive and negative terminal locations. Then, using masking tape or labels, label your cable connections from left to right (for example: L+1, L+2, L-1, etc.), and annotate on your sketch. Be sure to get every cable, regardless of size. This will allow you to get the new batteries oriented properly and reconnect all the cables to the right terminal of the right battery.
Gary
SOB

Sent from Gary's iPhone

On May 7, 2011, at 12:00 PM, "Fred Hulse" <fhulse@...> wrote:

Hi Nelson

To buy batteries for your chassis itÃ¢â¬â¢s a good idea to buy from a supplier you do business with and will be there for you if you have any warranty issues in the future.

There should be a Cole Hersee battery switch just above the batteries on the firewall you need to turn to the off position before doing any work.Also remove any 110 V

source and turn of the inverter(s).Use baking soda and water for cleaning the tray and cables also.Just remember battery acid is corrosive.

It is also a good idea to take a picture of the setup before you begin in case you are interrupted for any reason.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41

Its probably a circuit that someone added for a particular reason. Does it look like someone just attached the Orange wire to the battery terminal or does it look like a factory job. As long as you put it back where it belongs there is no reason to fret.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Sat, 5/7/11, nelsons wrote:

From: nelsons
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Need to replace starting batteries.
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 11:57 AM

Thank You for the information Fred.

I just checked my batteries and could not find a Cole Hersee battery switch. It looks like the hot side of the batteries are attached to an isolated bolt on a piece of aluminum behind the bank of batteries. The negative sides are also attached to two bolts on the piece of aluminum. One at the start of the batteries and one on the other end of the batteries. My only concern is this orange wire with an inline fuse attached to the plus side of the first battery. Not sure what this is for. Could not find any info in my documentation.

Thanks

Nelson

Westminster, Md 40ft WB

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:

>

> Hi Nelson

> To buy batteries for your chassis itÃÂ¢Ã¢âÂ¬Ã¢âÂ¢s a good idea to buy from a supplier you do business with and will be there for you if you have any warranty issues in the future.

> There should be a Cole Hersee battery switch just above the batteries on the firewall you need to turn to the off position before doing any work.Also remove any 110 V

> source and turn of the inverter(s).Use baking soda and water for cleaning the tray and cables also.Just remember battery acid is corrosive.

> It is also a good idea to take a picture of the setup before you begin in case you are interrupted for any reason.

> Fred & Jeanne Hulse

> Morristown,Arizona

> 97 WLWB41

>

Nelson

I am sorry, I thought the Cole Hersee switch would have been on your year coach.

On the orange wire it sounds like as someone suggested,it is for some auxiliary connection made later on.

Unless you can trace it to itÃ¢â¬â¢s source,best to leave it alone and hook it back up..

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41

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Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

nelsons

Fred Hulse

Gary Smith

magnus caeruleus avis

nelsons

mbulriss

nelsons

Ron Thompson

Ron Thompson

Fred Hulse