RV Service Tips at Carrier RV Service

Battery Maintenance Tips

Check your battery water level often.

We recommend at a minimum every 2 weeks. Keeping the water at the correct level.

It will greatly increase the life of your batteries.

Recharge a deep-cycle battery as soon as possible after each use. When not in use, maintain the battery's state of charge at 100%. Continuous float charging is the best way to prevent permanent lead sulfation. If continuous float charging is not possible, recharge before the state of charge drops below 80%. Permanent sulfation kills approximately 85% of all deep-cycle batteries.

Never discharge below 10.5 volts. A low-voltage disconnect set for approximately 12.0 VDC or more can limit the maximum depth of charge and protect electrical appliances.

Provide ventilation. High ambient temperatures above 80° will shorten battery life because they increase positive grid corrosion and growth.

In warmer climates and during the summer, "watering" is required more often. Check the electrolyte levels and add only distilled water or, in an emergency, rainwater. The plates must be covered at all times; do not overfill, and keep the top of the battery clean. Never add electrolyte (battery acid) to a battery.

Avoid shallow (below 10%) discharges because lead dioxide builds up on the positive plates.

Maintaining the state of charge over 80% (preferably 100%) and electrolyte levels, tightening loose hold-down clamps and cable connections, removing corrosion, and periodic equalizing, if required, is normally the only preventive maintenance required for a deep cycle battery.

REFRIGERATOR: Clean burner assembly and orifice; clean out chimney. Check for LP leaks and test heater element.
FURNACE: Remove furnace, clean burner assembly and orifice, clean blower assembly and sail switch. LP leak test and test burn unit. Reinstall furnace.
WATER HEATER: Clean mixer tube and orifice, clean heat exchanger and chimney. LP leak test and test burn unit.
L.P. REGULATOR: Perform LP pressure lock-out test and leak-down test.
INVERTER: Remove inverter, clean thermal fan and heat sink plates, test operation of input and output, and reinstall inverter.
ROOF A/Cs: Clean the units.
AQUA HOT: Webasto or Hurricane should be serviced once a year.
INSPECT EXTERIOR SEALS: Roof, windows, moldings.