[Dave]

Temperature affects every aspect of battery life and
performance. The life of a lead-acid battery is reduced by 50% for every
sustained 15^oF rise above the standard temperature. The
“standard” temperature is 77^oF, 80^oF, or 68^oF
depending upon the class of battery and the manufacturer. Example:
77^oF rated battery with a 10-year design life operated at 92^oF
will yield a battery life of 5 years.

Lead-acid batteries are non-linear devices; thus we can’t say
that five years at 92^oF plus 5 years at 62^oF gives us an
average of 77^oF and therefore the high temperature time was negated
by the low temperature time. High temperatures are far more detrimental
then low temperatures are beneficial as far as battery life goes. For
instance a 15 ^oF sustained rise in temperature with reduce battery
life by 50%, but a sustained 15 ^oF decrease in temperature will increase
life less than 10%.

Ideally, batteries should be kept in a temperature-controlled
environment. Obviously, this isn’t
practical in a bus or RV. What this
really means for us is that we are very unlikely to achieve the rated design
life of the batteries we use in our bus or RV.

There is a chart and formula listed in IEEE Std. 450-2010 that can be
used to calculate the design life of a flooded lead-acid battery in various
temperatures. I would do this calculation
for work, but not for my RV batteries.

Specific answers:

• “Battery temperature, (High temperatures dramatically shorten life.).” See above
• Can you expand on this a little? Temp in the containment area of the batteries? or the temps of the batteries themselves? Battery temperature, specifically battery electrolyte temperature. The physical construction of a lead-acid battery is somewhat like a cooler or thermos; therefore, the electrolyte temperature lags changes in ambient temperature.
• How high of temp? Technically, anything over the standard temperature is detrimental to life. The actual affect depends upon time and temperaure.
• Does a one time spike ruin a battery? or does it have to be extended. Extended, within reason of course.

Bottom line: The cooler we keep our batteries, the longer the life we’re likely to get from them.

Mike

[Dave]

These valves are common use. In all kinds off applications.. Our local air brake/truck supply guys can cross them over to stock items. notice unused ports on valve in picture.. A 12 volt elect over air– valve like that would be on the shelf at probably 10 dealers in our area..Your picture to a good parts guy could save you big custom build bucks.. ck out norgren 12 volt valve on ebay for comparrison.. It has a function drawing as you see on valve with port options with some blocked off. FWIW Bob

[Dave]

I have found that, if you take an open end wrench just big enough to slide over the hose, then slide the wrench along the hose toward the lock ring on the push lock fitting, and apply more pressure with your hand on the wrench for more leverage, then at the same time, with your other hand, push the hose IN hard to release the lock, and then pull out on the hose firmly, while still holding the wrench against the fitting, most of them will release.

I have had to cut some that were really hard to get to as well.

[Dave]

I believe you can get a replacement from a company called Kane”s wheels covers . I don’t have the number handy but there out of New Mexico . I have them on my coach and love them.Ok I just found the number

T Kane Enterprises

office 800-550-2466

Tim’s cell 575-512-6448

tkane.com is there website

[Dave]

Jimmy my coach is # 981 so were pretty close on the production line. I’ve had mine for about 2 years and it’s been a great coach.

[Dave]

Be sure to place your lights where when you sit outside at night they are not shining in your face !! We have only 3 on each side on our H and its ample light when sitting outside… just be careful.

Cheers,

Diane

[Dave]

David,

I think the best way for you to find a motorhome with bunks would be to contact Wade Staley of Staley Coach. Their information can be found in our list of advertisers.

I strongly recommend him as a starting point because he has such an extensive knowledge of what is out there you are likely to find exactly what you need. He is positioned to know about motorhomes with bunks because a great deal of his sales involve coaches with bunks.

As an alternative however I know of at least two motorhomes whose buyers modified their coaches to replace closets with bunks, but in such a way to allow complete or even partial restoration of the closets as their needs changed. From a buyer’s perspective all you have to do is find a coach with a floor plan that enables you to add the bunks. As an alternative, there have been several over the years that used a bay as a bedroom with entry via a hatch in the floor. One rather elaborate one had full heat and air, TV, beds and was in essence a playroom. We were in a coach whose owner converted a bay into a “house” for the owner’s tiger.

[Dave]

On a Liberty, OTR has two systems, the drivers air (front of bus dash area) and passenger or rather the entire bus from the driver/passenger compartment all the way to the rear on both sides. My question was for those in the know, what did Liberty do to cool the new 4 slide coaches while traveling, since there is no OTR.

[Dave]

Thanks,

I checked the secondary filter and it appears to be full,,, but a few bubbles of air is hard to tell. I am going to replace the fuel lines anyway because I have a hydraulic crimp machine I use for my other equipment and it is not an expensive job. I agree the lines are aged and it won’t hurt. I am going to call Detroit to make sure the 15 PSI is enough for starting,,,, I have read several posts on different sites and some say 30 PSI. idle and 80 PSI at high idle.

Mine is 15 idle and 55 high idle.

[Dave]

Well getting a spot for the bus was easy, not so easy getting good seats though.

Tried all morning to find something decent and reasonably priced. It appears those two don’t go together.

Hopefully I’ll turn something up, or maybe they’ll simulcast it so we can watch it from the parking lot.

[Dave]

I mentioned earlier that I have the cousin to yours at least on the outside. If my memory serves me , I believe I did have a water pump shut down with a high holding tank level. Dumped the tank and the pump worked fine.

Let’s communicate because there is quite a learning curve. Most of my issues were just lack of understanding on my part. Hope you have a great time in your new coach.

Wave

[Dave]

Jerry,

Just to help isolate the problem try this. Put your coach in the driving or ride position. Make sure the HWH is disabled. Shoot it if you have to because it might be the problem. This test is invalid if the HWH is trying to keep the coach level so it has to be turned off.

Once the coach is level raise the tag axle. That will result in a drop at the rear, but keep the bus running until it has returned to the driving height. Measure the heights side to side and front to rear so you have a way to quantify if it does settle or lean.

What you have done by doing the above is eliminated the tag axle air bags from the equation. Lets us know the result.

Did I mention the HWH has to be “off” for any of this to begin making sense?

[Dave]

Tom,

I have the adapter like you show that allows you to hook a garden hose to the gray water bypass. I just hadn’t seen the sewer hookup like you show that allows the garden hose to hook to it. Can you give me a quick lesson on the headhunter? I understand that I have a macerator which if used grinds things up before pumping them out but I’m not clear on the headhunter.

[Dave]

prob is but will eliminate one possibility.. That center actiates air flow to leveling valves(the manual ones with the rods to them) when key is on and by passes norgren valves (5 port ones) on a stock Prevost system..Just a shot in the dark..Jon and the guys are more knowledgable than I on the modified systems. Bob

[Dave]

Great, including a rally in the winter travels would be fun…..maybe at Hilton Head? We always go there once a year either on the way down or the way back. My coach is in the barn, plugged in, heat on and now I begin the long process of packing. Love being able to walk out and put things in the coach as we are planning. Next year I’m breaking BEFORE the holidays…heck it snowed here last night…yuk. Looks like I’ll need to be on the road on November 1.