FLEETWOOD RV CLASS A GAS 2020 OWNER’S MANUAL
161
BATTERIES — HOUSE
House batteries are designed for use with 12 Volt DC
operated lights, appliances and inverter .
Type of House Batteries:
• Liquid Lead Acid (LLA)
Deep Cycle Batteries:
Deep cycle batteries are best suited for use with 12 Volt
operated lights, appliances and inverter . Deep cycle
batteries are designed to have half of their capacity
discharged before being recharged .
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
Check the water level in each battery cell at least once
a month . The electrolyte level should be approximately
3/8” below the well to allow room for expansion while
the battery is being charged . Over-filling the battery
can cause the electrolyte solution to be pushed out of
the battery caps .
Use only distilled
water to refill the
battery . A battery
with a low electrolyte
level will rapidly boil
out the water once
the plates have been
exposed to air .
TESTING THE BATTERY
The battery can be checked at the monitor panel but
the most accurate way to test the electrolyte is with a
battery hydrometer .
Checking the Electrolyte Solution (LLA Only):
There are different styles of battery hydrometers;
from types with cylinder graduation (shown in the
illustration) to types with floating balls . Hydrometers
with cylinder graduation are graphed and the exact state
of specific gravity can be determined . Hydrometers can
be purchased from most
auto parts stores .
The hydrometer tests
the battery’s electrolyte
solution that is measured
in specific gravity . Distilled
water has a specific gravity
of 1,000 . The hydrometer
is calibrated to this mark .
Pure sulfuric acid has a
specific gravity reading
of 1,840 . The acid is 1 .84
times heavier than water .
The electrolyte solution is about 64% water to 36%
acid (fully charged battery) . A fully charged battery at
80º F ., has a specific gravity reading of 1265 per cell .
CAUTION:
Tap water contains minerals that can alter battery
chemistry and ruin the battery . Use only distilled
water when refilling a liquid lead acid battery .
DISTILLED
WATER
060369
Example of Battery Filler Bottle
CAUTION:
Petroleum based products or battery byproducts
can damage the paint finish . Do not allow these
chemicals to get on the paint finish . If the chemicals
splatter on to the painted surfaces, immediately
rinse the surface using plenty of water and a mild
detergent .
NOTE:
The cap on individual cells is threaded onto the
battery and can be removed to inspect water level .
020034
3/8”
Filler Tubes
Plates
Battery
Battery State
Spec. Gravity
Voltage
of Charge
100%
1.255
12.7
75%
1.225
12.4
50%
1.180
12.2
25%
1.155
12.0
Discharged
1.120
11.9 or less
Note: The distilled water level in battery
should be 3/8” below the filler tube.
030816b
Battery Hydrometer
Summary of Contents for Class A Gas 2020
Page 173: ...FLEETWOOD RV CLASS A GAS 2020 OWNER S MANUAL 171...
Page 174: ...172 Notes...
