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Verifying Battery Life and General Upkeep

The RV Doctor lays out the steps to RV battery maintenance.

From "RV Roadtrips"
episode DRVR-112

Host Gary Bunzer shows Tim Metro how to verify the life left in a battery, and he shares some battery maintenance tips. The only true way to verify a battery is with a hydrometer.

If the Metros follow Gary's advice each time they head out on the road their Class A motorhome's battery should function properly.

With no hook-ups out in the middle of the desert, it's vital that the Metro family's RV 12-volt battery is in perfect working condition.

Figure A

Battery Maintenance

Materials and Tools:

distilled water
funnel
electrical contact cleaner
protective spray
air compressor
battery charger
hydrometer

Clean batteries and compartment with an air compressor.
Next apply an electrical contact cleaner.
Check electrolyte and water levels.
If the level is low add distilled water to the compartment using a funnel—and fill to the top of the cell.
Charge the batteries using a battery charger.
Safety Alert: Be sure to hook up the negative cable last!
Recharge the battery until the hydrometer (figure A) says it is fully charged.
Remove the charger and replace the caps.
Spray protective on the terminals.