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05-17-2017, 09:49 AM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Layton, Utah
Posts: 49
Year: 1993
Coachwork: AmTran (International)
Chassis: Gensis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 74
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Bus stored all winter now batteries are dead
I stored the bus from Oct to May 1 and now the house batteries are dead and will not hold a charge.
Any ideas besides buying new batteries?
Yes, I should had a trickle charge on all winter but I did not.
Thank you
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05-17-2017, 11:25 AM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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Nope. Sounds like your batteries are toast. Sorry.
You could take your battery out of the bus and keep it at your home during the freezing months so it doesn't freeze.
It's good to be cranking up your bus several times a month to keep things in working order, including your battery. I shouldn't talk, I was snowed in for two months this winter.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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05-20-2017, 12:15 PM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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Maybe not. Use 2 12 volt batteries hooked together in Series and then FLASH the battery by touching the posts together for 3-5 seconds.
Recharge battery. If that fails. Mix 7-8 oz. of Epsom Salts into of at least 1/2 quart of 150 degree water. After it is dissolved and cooled. Then remove 1/2 of the electrolyte and replace with the Epsom salt dissolved in Distilled water.
Charge the battery
Either it will be good or bad.
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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05-20-2017, 12:29 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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I've heard of using epsom salts before. I still want to try that sometime. There are several different solutions that can be used in place of acid.
I was taught that if batteries froze it causes the plates to short out. Even if it could hold a charge, is that a battery you're going to want to depend on during even a weekend camping trip?
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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05-20-2017, 04:58 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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Cheap to try. Yes i would up grade the batteries later.
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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05-20-2017, 05:05 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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I would certainly try that method mentioned and put them on a slow charge for a day or so. Maybe longer but the chemicals should disolve all the crud on the plates. Give it a try for sure till you find a great deal on batteries if they have to be replaced.
Good luck.
John
__________________
Question everything!
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05-20-2017, 09:31 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Layton, Utah
Posts: 49
Year: 1993
Coachwork: AmTran (International)
Chassis: Gensis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 74
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Thank you all, I will try what you all recommend.
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05-20-2017, 09:39 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Port angeles, Wa
Posts: 319
Year: 90
Coachwork: bluebird conventional
Chassis: international
Engine: dt466
Rated Cap: 72
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I would be leary of flashing the batteries. Seen them explode that way.
What I have done successfully, is put them on a 10 amp charge for several hours, then go to a 2 amp charge for a week. I have brought batteries back to life that way.
Check battery age first. more than 3 or 4 years old, don't waste your time. Also, many of the newer battery chargers will not charge on a stone dead battery. Jumper in a good battery for a while to fool the charger.
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05-20-2017, 11:00 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,363
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown, integral. (With 2kW of tiltable solar)
Chassis: Crown Supercoach II (rear engine)
Engine: Detroit 6V92TAC, DDEC 2, Jake brake, Allison HT740
Rated Cap: 37,400 lbs GVWR
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The only accurate way of determining a FLA battery's health is by using a hydrometer to check its Specific Gravity. For most batteries, 100% fully charged should be about 1.265 SG at 80 degrees F. Trojans are slightly more, but they require a higher Absorb voltage than most. Rolls has a useful summary that applies to most batteries: Measuring Specific Gravity : Technical Support Desk
Faffing about with magnesium sulfate ("Epsom salts") won't dissolve the hardened lead sulfate crystals on the plates. Try it if you want, but your batteries are only scrap cores at this time, worth a few bucks towards your next battery purchase. Moral of the story - use a proper charger, and check them regularly. Batteries are murdered more often than dying a natural death!
John
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05-21-2017, 07:51 AM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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Have to agree and not being a chemist that sounds plausible too. Some batteries will recover with a long slow charge though if one has time. No guarantees though because every battery will have a different condition.
The verdict is in folks,check and charge regularly.
Thanks John
John
__________________
Question everything!
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05-21-2017, 09:13 AM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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Before about 1960 it was common to recondition batteries. I knew a company that even made batteries years ago and reconditioned as well. He had a Growler that he flashed batteries with. It was 700 volts but low amps according to his grandson.
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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05-27-2017, 10:17 AM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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