Battery Watering System
Low water levels in house battery cells are probably the leading cause of early failure of motor home batteries. Although we all know this, those of us who do our own battery maintenance do not check the water levels as often as we should because of the giant hassles associated with the task. Despite with the slide out tray, all of the batteries need to be disconnected and removed in order to check the water level. Even my mechanic, who does an excellent inspection with each lube/oil change, wont do the battery levels.
The Flow-Rite company www.flow-rite.com has developed a battery watering system for industrial use, and has recently entered the RV arena. They produce a Quik-Fill system for 12 volt batteries, and a Pro-Fill model for 6 volt batteries. The battery caps contain a small float valve which allows water to flow into each cell until it is full, and then shuts off. No under or overfilling can occur. The system is connected with rubber tubing, which ends in a quick connector which is attached to a bulb pump when ready to fill. The tubing on the other end of the bulb simply drops into the jug of distilled water.
Discounting the issue of removing all the batteries, cleaning the terminals and lubricating the tray, installing the watering system is extremely easy. The old caps are removed, the new watering system caps are inserted, the batteries replaced in the tray and the wires reconnected, plugs placed on the appropriate T's, and rubber tubing attached.
To check/fill the battery bank, simply pop off the rubber cover for the quick connect, attach the bulb pump, drop the end of the hose into the distilled water jug, and pump. the pump squeezes easily until the last cell is full, and then you can't pump it any more. Disconnect, replace the rubber cover (or in my case add a plastic bag cover too), and you are done. It takes only moments.
Cost varies with the number and type of batteries. The Quik Fill for 12 volts is less than the Pro Fill for 6 volts, but the approximate price is $30 per battery. My Pro Fill for four 6 volt batteries was $117 for the caps, $20 for the bulb and $10 for shipping. It arrived in 3 days from Bear at
Next year when I need to clean and lubricate my tray, I have not decided whether to disconnect the tubing, or simply remove the caps and replace them with the old ones that I saved, before lifting them out of the tray. Parenthetically, leaving a nylon strap underneath one of the outside batteries makes removing it so much easier.
I think this is a great idea. You should consider it too.
doug
PS If you have a Pro Fill and want to empty the distilled water back into the container easily, you may want to order a purger, BA-051.