Question about cab batteries January 14, 2013, 11:05:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 136206Last time I went to do the monthly stuff checkover, the engine was slow to turn over before starting. To be fair I did not let the key sit in the second position a few seconds to allow the fuel system and any capacitors to fully charge. The engine fired and started in a few seconds. It was just a hair longer than normal and there was that werrrr, wuuurr just before catching and firing. This time it had been closer to 6 weeks from the last time I started the cab. I have never replaced the battery, the previous kept great records and there is no indication of a battery change. Until I replaced a battery in the wife's 04 BMW, I would have said that it is getting close to the time to change a battery. The 04 BMW had an 04 battery. BMW uses AGM type of batterie and according to other owners 8 years is not uncommon. Until I saw the date stamp I thought the battery was new. It does sit in the trunk so is not subject to the heat from the engine but is a daily driver, sits in the cold and rain.1. Would my LD have come with an AGM type battery in the cab? 2. If the answer could be either AGM or one or Led Cell maintenance free, are there markings on the battery that will tell me which type I have?Thanks in advance, JohnPS Yes, I probably should get a volt meter and learn how to use it. Slowly rebuilding the tool chest after years of not needing much more than hammer, screwdriver, a few sockets and wrenches.
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #1 – January 14, 2013, 05:20:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136216QuoteLast time I went to do the monthly stuff checkover, the engine was slow to turn over before starting. To be fair I did not let the key sit in the second position a few seconds to allow the fuel system and any capacitors to fully charge. The engine fired and started in a few seconds. It was just a hair longer than normal and there was that werrrr, wuuurr just before catching and firing. This time it had been closer to 6 weeks from the last time I started the cab. Check my message #135799. I detail there how I load tested a battery with a voltmeter.Steve
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #2 – January 14, 2013, 08:56:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136218"Would my LD have come with an AGM type battery in the cab?" Not unless the previous owner put one there. To my knowledge, Lazy Daze has never installed AGM engine batteries, and unless I'm mistaken, they don't do so even now that they're installing AGM house batteries on new coaches.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #3 – January 15, 2013, 02:37:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 136220"To my knowledge, Lazy Daze has never installed AGM engine batteries, and unless I'm mistaken, they don't do so even now that they're installing AGM house batteries on new coaches." Ford E350 and E450s always have come with conventional lead-acid batteries. Buying an AGM, for your LD is as easy as going to Sears and getting a Diehard Platinum.Larry
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #4 – January 15, 2013, 01:39:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136225Returning to the question, "Would my LD have come with an AGM type battery in the cab?", a group member informs me by email that her 2011 came with AGM batteries "in both house and engine." Looks as if I was wrong in saying they didn't. Did LD switch to AGM starting batteries at the same time they switched to AGM house batteries? (If so, I wonder what they're doing with the starting batteries that Ford installs in these chassis?)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #5 – January 15, 2013, 02:05:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136229"Andy Baird" wrote: a group member informs me by email that her 2011 came with AGM batteries "in both house and engine." Looks as if I was wrong in saying they didn't. Did LD switch to AGM starting batteries at the same time they switched to AGM house batteries? (If so, I wonder what they're doing with the starting batteries that Ford installs in these chassis?) --- The current spec sheet contains no listing of AGM engine/starting batteries, and neither does the spec sheet for the 2011 E-450 motorhome chassis. The definitive answer would come from the factory, but I really doubt that LD would replace the OEM Ford engine battery with an AGM; maybe the "reporter" confused the "maintenance free", i.e., sealed cell truck battery with an AGM?Joan
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #6 – January 16, 2013, 08:53:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136249My '11 came with the standard Ford chassis battery, not AGM.
Re: Question about cab batteries Reply #7 – January 17, 2013, 05:55:07 am Yahoo Message Number: 136254Thanks everyone. I had asked the question because our LD is an 07 and both the house and car batteries are starting to get some age on them. The RV is far away and I could not just go pop the hood. I again visited the RV the day before yesterday preparing for the trip to FL next week. Our LD has the standard Ford battery. Given the age it will likely be replaced soon with a high quality maintenance free standard type battery because this one has lasted so long. Not sure in the case of the RV that an AGM battery, for the van part of the RV, is worth the extra cost. When it is time for new house batteries (these are the original batteries as well), I thing I will replace the current type with AGMs, largely because of the maintenance, and cleaning the battery table. There are other advantages that may come into play later with other things I would like to do. As for the second question, the AGM battery for my BMW has no caps what so ever where as even maintenance free batteries have a one peace cap over the cells. Other wise I saw no markings stating the what kind of technology the battery used. John DaCrema
Batteries... Reply #8 – January 16, 2013, 03:53:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136240I called Vince at the factory with a few questions; among these was "Does LD replace the Ford engine battery with an AGM?" His answer was, "No, we do not."Joan
Topic: Question about cab batteries (Read 2 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Question about cab batteries (Read 2 times)
previous topic - next topic