Installing New Batteries!

pameridan04 · 02-26-2011, 01:00 PM

Hi Guys:

I want to install my own Batteries. I have two 31- 950 CCA's that I will be buying.

Both Positive terminals and both negative terminals are connected in parallel with cable to front & back battery, and a bunch of other feeds coming off the terminals.

What is the sequence to dissconnect and reconnect?

I could dissconnect the positive and negative cables off the first dead battery and put the new battery in and reconnect and just do the same procedure for the back battery. Will this work?

Or is there a better way?

I am all ears....

Regards Jim P..

pyoots · 02-26-2011, 01:21 PM

Jim P,

Several things to watch for: Negative terminals to negative cables, and as well as positive to positive. Yes, the way you are re-connecting will work. If you are a smoker, put out the cigarette if you are installing batteries. I witnessed a tragedy years ago and will never forget it.

Last, don't forget to re-secure the batteries. Simple, but important.

GaryKD · 02-26-2011, 01:35 PM

Hi pameridan04,
Consider making this a slightly larger project than you are thinking about.
1. disconnect the positive cable(s) from the first battery and wrap electrical tape around the metal cable end.
2. Do the same for battery #2.
3. Disconnect the negative cables for both batteries.
4. Remove both batteries from the tray.
5. Clean the battery tray and spray with a rust preventative paint.
6. Install both new batteries in the tray.
7. Clean the negative cable ends.
8. Clean and install the negative cable that goes from battery #1 to battery #2.
9. Install the negative cables on each of the new batteries.
10. Clean and install the cable that goes from positive battery #! to battery #2.
11. Unwrap one positive cable, clean and reinstall on the new battery.
12. Unwrap clean and install the second positive cable.
13. Spray each battery terminal with a corrosion protectant. One can buy this at the local auto parts store.

Now one has a clean tray and all cable ends are clean and protected.

My only word of caution is to never put a closed end wrench on a battery cable nut. Use only an open end wrench.

skigramp · 02-26-2011, 04:31 PM

Final hint:

Take off all jewelry on your hands ...

a friend of mine welded his wedding ring to a wrench when changing a battery ... it required a trip to the emergency room ... and he had severe burns to his finger and hand ...

glfiedler · 02-26-2011, 05:06 PM

While all the advise is sound I want to comment on only one thing GaryKD said. When I was in the Army, so many years ago, I worked in the motor pool. (no drinks with umbrellas at this pool!)

The Army manuals for all of the vehicles instructed you to remove the negative cable first and than the positive. Putting things back together was positive and finally the negative. It was explained to me by an old knowledgeable Sargent that no current or spark will occur if the wrench on the negative nut touches the frame. And then, of course, when removing the positive nut the wrench can safely contact the frame since the negative is already disconnected so no current can flow through the battery.

Rjhuser · 02-26-2011, 05:14 PM

I agree with Jerry above!! Long-long ago I didn't disconnect the negative cable first, when I went to disconnect the positive cable, the wrench slipped and contacted the frame - BOOM!!!! - two batteries exploded drenching me in acid. Never did that agai!!

offthewall · 02-26-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pameridan04

Hi Guys:

I want to install my own Batteries. I have two 31- 950 CCA's that I will be buying.

Both Positive terminals and both negative terminals are connected in parallel with cable to front & back battery, and a bunch of other feeds coming off the terminals.

What is the sequence to dissconnect and reconnect?

I could dissconnect the positive and negative cables off the first dead battery and put the new battery in and reconnect and just do the same procedure for the back battery. Will this work?

Or is there a better way?

I am all ears....

Regards Jim P..

Don't touch the positive to the negative. Other than that there really is nothimg to worry about. If you have a battery disconnect on your unit, flip it off.

Sammie · 02-26-2011, 05:37 PM

Jim P, I always either draw a diagram of the electrical wiring I'm about to work on or take a picture for future reference. I've always felt comfortable working on wiring but as I get older my memory ain't what it used to be.

Sammie

GaryKD · 02-26-2011, 05:58 PM

Hi Guys,
My bad. Remove negative cable first and connect it last. I have no idea what planet my brain was on when I posted it backwards.

Wanabee FTer · 02-26-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offthewall

Don't touch the positive to the negative. Other than that there really is nothimg to worry about. If you have a battery disconnect on your unit, flip it off.

I pressed the button for the battery disconnect, then got a little clumsy and dropped my wrench on top of the battery. There was a huge arc (like a welder) and it damaged the positive post of my new battery

Wizard · 02-26-2011, 06:26 PM

For me colored tape worked good. Red on positive cables and white on negative cables.

If you have a digital camera, now is a good time to use it.

pameridan04 · 02-26-2011, 09:21 PM

Hi Guys:

Thanks for all the advice. I all ready took a digital pic of the electrial hookup on my cell phone and sent an email to my home computer and printed it out.

I never though of not using a socket wrench, but it does make sence to use an open ended one.

My last batteries that came with the coach were Duralast. Only lasted two years.

What batteries in the the 950 CCA class do you guys like or recomend for the Diesel Pushers..???

Regards.. Jim P.

Piledrive · 02-27-2011, 06:23 PM

Anyone here remember battery pliers? I have one left over from years ago. (never use them though, always use open end wrenches)

dirko · 02-28-2011, 08:57 AM

Hi Ho: Advice sofar is good. Make sure connections are clean and cables are good. If there is a lot of corrosion it's easiest to just replace them; making a good low resistance connection can be a challenge.

I like to spray the terminals after installation to reduce corrosion.

I don't know why you are concerned about CCA. If the batteries are for the coach amp hours are much more important. The best deals I have found are golf cart batteries. Anyway, the important thing is durability with charge cycles, especially deep discharge.

If the batteries are to start the engine, then CCA is important.

Dirk

Twomed · 02-28-2011, 09:11 AM

I like NAPA batteries...service almost anywhere should you have a problem.

No one has mentioned safety glasses...I don't even check the water without them, getting old I guess.

pameridan04 · 02-28-2011, 10:48 AM

Hi dirko:

These are two ENGINE STARTING BATTERIES. I also have three house batteries that are fine at the moment.

That is why the concern of the CCA's..

Regards... Jim P.

pameridan04 · 03-05-2011, 02:40 PM

HI Guys:

Well I bought two Duralast batteries 31 -950 CCA's at Auto Zone for $99.00 a piece, + $12.00 refundable core charge. Not a bad price at all. They had the screw on terminals like I needed and fit great.

It only took about 20 minutes to change them out. I left my Solar Charger hooked up for now. I started the coach and generator up and ran for a while.

Ol Betsy is ready to rock and roll.

Regards... Jim P.

4Knights · 03-05-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twomed

I like NAPA batteries...service almost anywhere should you have a problem.

No one has mentioned safety glasses...I don't even check the water without them, getting old I guess.

SAFETY GOGGLES not glasses, you're not worried about projectiles on this one, it's the acid that will blind you. Goggles will keep your eyes protected from all directions

Ron

bobpie · 03-06-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirko

Hi Ho: Advice sofar is good. Make sure connections are clean and cables are good. If there is a lot of corrosion it's easiest to just replace them; making a good low resistance connection can be a challenge.

I like to spray the terminals after installation to reduce corrosion.

I don't know why you are concerned about CCA. If the batteries are for the coach amp hours are much more important. The best deals I have found are golf cart batteries. Anyway, the important thing is durability with charge cycles, especially deep discharge.

If the batteries are to start the engine, then CCA is important.

Dirk

CCA / Cold Cranking Amps. For cranking your engine.