Year round maintenance will help to promote long life of the chassis batteries.

Chassis batteries are configured in Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). Oftentimes the chassis batteries are mistakenly considered maintenance free, when in fact the water levels in the chassis battery may require inspection and refill at least two times each year based on the type of alternator, which determines the current flow into and through the chassis battery.

To access the cells of the chassis battery, use a razor knife to slice the plastic top and pry off the vent caps. Do not hammer battery cable clamps down onto the battery posts as this can damage internal parts of the battery.

Certain model motor homes use a system to charge the chassis battery when the coach is parked for a time and plugged into shore power. If your motor home lacks this charging capacity you may want to consider an after-market addition that can be purchased through your selling dealer. For best results, have the system professional installed.

During storage you can engage the battery cutoff switch inside the motor home, but keep in mind that this switch will only turn off interior power to the fuse panel. When you are storing the motor home for longer than one week it is recommended to also engage the battery cutoff switch (es) located near the batteries down in the battery compartment. This will help disconnect most of the battery draw, leaving only the mandatory parasitic loads.

One of the most accurate ways to test Liquid Lead Acid batteries is with the use of a Battery Hydrometer. Do not test the electrolyte immediately after adding water to the battery cells. After adding water to the battery cells a period of time is required for proper mixture of the water and acid. To speed up this process you can slow charge the battery at 5 amps for one hour. Never add acid or tap water to a battery in an attempt to increase the water level, only add distilled water.

Cold weather can affect how the chassis battery operates. Low temperatures numb the chemical reaction to drastically reduce battery performance. Batteries in 0 degrees Fahrenheit and fully charged may only deliver 40% capacity, and at this temperature the engine generally requires twice the power to start than it would need at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Engine oil condition can also affect chassis battery performance. Engine oil that is thick like molasses and overly contaminated with debris will offer resistance to engine cranking. This creates additional drain on the chassis battery, causing the starter motor to turn a little slower and increase battery discharge current.

Check the battery water level as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Never allow the chassis batteries to run dry, and remember to add only distilled water to replenish the cells.