[Larry & Diane]

Exercising the batteries doesn’t have to be a scientific task. Just occasionally unplug and run the batteries down to somewhere around 50% or less. Keep in mind the loaded voltage is going to be less than voltage with no loads. I would recharge when the battery at rest is at 50%.

So far the way we have normally used our coaches has not required me to do even a period drain on the batteries. With the occasional night in a rest area or parking lot with the generator OFF our batteries have been drawn down so that constitutes the occasional discharge.

[Bill]

Keep in mind Jon’s 5 year battery replacement schedule is so conservative that he can pretty much do what he wants and the batteries will survive 5 years.

Without scientific proof, I will suggest a 50% discharge once a quarter is more than enough. The Lifeline batteries on one of my past boats is servicable after nearly 12 years of service. I would be disappointed to get less than 10 years out of my house bank of Lifelines.

More important than a periodic discharge is a properly configured float charge that is maintained when not in use.

[Archived]

Gil is right. I throw away a lot of perfectly good parts including batteries because I don’t want problems when we are on the road.

[Archived]

Yeap i`m convinced Lifeline is the way to go. Wonder what Jon does with his old batteries & usable parts ??

[Archived]

I recycle the batteries, and if anyone wants items such as brake chambers, Norgren valves, air bags, etc. they are welcome to them.

[Gerald]

Jon, I would like to get an old Norgren valve when one is available just to get familar with them before I am in a project. Let me know how I can make sure the exchange is done in the most convenient way for you.

[Chas]

I will try to get some photos. However the Norgren valves are very simple devices.

Each valve consists of a body, a spool which slides back and forth within the body and caps on each end. The valve caps can be fitted with a spring and / or a plunger that moves with air pressure pushing the spool, which is returned to the center position with the spring, or a plunger at each end that depending on which end is pressurized pushes the spool one direction or the other.

The spool, depending on its position within the body either blocks all air flow, or allows air to flow.

In the case of our five port Norgren suspension valves, the neutral position is the key off position and all air flow through the valve is blocked. When air is applied to one end or the other (as a result of the solenoid valves in the steer compartment being energized) the air flows through the ride height valves to the suspension, or into or out of the air bags when we level the coach in a campground.

The bore in which the spool slides is highly polished and the spool has O rings in at least 4 locations on the spool that seal air within the bore and direct air to the valve airways. But as the valve ages the O rings start to allow leakage or if moisture gets into the valve the valve bore begins to corrode making the valve leak. The valves can be rebuilt, but the bore has to be perfect. If moisture has gotten into the valve and corroded the bore the chances of the O rings sealing against leakage is pretty slim.

I’ll try to take some photos until we can figure out how to pass some valves around to help with an understanding.

[Archived]

Here is a photo of the components of a 3 port Norgren valve.

The square part is the body and the spool to the left of it goes into the bore. To the left of the spool is the air operated plunger that gets air from one of the solenoid valves in the stack in the steer compartment. When the solenoid valve opens the plunger pushes the spool to the right and opens the air path through the valve. When the solenoid valve closes, the spring to the right of the valve body pushes the spool back to the neutral position.

The actuator on the bottom left is electrically operated and Liberty owners might recognize that as being the actuator for the pair of the valves located on the lower left floor of the steer compartment.

The spool in the plastic bag is a replacement used to renew the valve rather than replace it.

The end caps, one being the actuator, and one housing the return spring are held to the body with 4 screws each.

There are variations, such as the 5 port valve but the principles remain the same. Moving the spool left or right within the valve body opens or closes an air path. Think of a Norgren valve as nothing more than an air switch.

[Dick]

Was Professor one of your many past accomplishments? Great explanation thanks.

[Jim]

George,

I have a couple 3 ports laying on the bench, you want me to send you one?

[Archived]

Exercising, (discharging and recharging) a lead-acid battery
is not needed and consumes some of the life of the battery. Lead-acid batteries do not have a memory and
do not benefit from being routinely discharged.

Every discharge consumes some of the life of the
battery. How much life is consumed depends
on the depth of discharge, plate type, and the type of alloy, if any, used in
the plates.

[Andre]

That would be great Tom. How can I make it easy for you? I will check in am and see if I can send a prepaid fedex envelope or equivalent. How is the bus shopping?

[Davy]

George,

Just e-mail me your address..