Battery (Maintenance Free); Battery Amp Draw And Testing; Battery Cleaning; Battery Storage - Airstream TOMMY BAHAMA 2019 Owner's Manual

Maintenance

Battery (Maintenance Free)

Your Airstream Touring Coach is factory-equipped with
a 12V, deep cycle AGM GPL-24T Lifeline battery�

Battery Amp Draw and Testing

For maximum battery life in AGM applications, do
not discharge the battery below 50%� Discharging
the battery to 100% will shorten the batteries life� A
battery that is allowed to completely lose its charge will
never regain its original power or a full charge� Once a
battery is discharged, it will begin to sulfate and lose its
capacity and longevity�
For proper load testing the battery should be fully
charged and the voltage should be greater than 12�8
volts� A typical load test should be 3 times the amp
hours for 15 seconds� At the end of 15 seconds the
voltage of the battery should stay above 9�6 volts� If the
battery cannot reach a fully charged voltage of 12�8 or
greater the batteries will need to be equalized�
NOTE
When checking the state of charge the battery
needs to have been disconnected from a charging
source and any loads for a minimum of four hours.
When removing the batteries verify that shoreline
power is not connected and/or the engine is not
running. Risk of electrical shock may be present.
Exposure to carbon monoxide, moving parts, and
electricity hazards are possible due to unexpected
starting of generator in Auto Start mode.
The following chart shows the approximate % of
charge SOC (State of charge) vs� OCV (Open circuit
voltage)�
State of Charge (%)
100
75
50
25
0
Listed voltage levels are approximate and give an
indication of the state of charge of a battery at rest� As
the battery ages these voltage measurements will be
lower�
9-6
WARNING
WARNING
OCV per 12V battery
12�8 or greater
12�5
12�2
11�9
11�6 or less

Battery Cleaning

Battery maintenance is an important issue� Maintain a
clean battery top and check terminals and cables for
tightness and cleanliness� A dirty battery will dissipate
its charge through surface contamination� Clean the
battery top with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly�
To ensure maximum battery capacity on the charge
and discharge, the battery terminals and the inside
portion of the cable connector should be scraped
or brushed� The terminals should be tight and free
of corrosion� The battery should be cleaned using
a baking soda and water mix, with a ratio of two
tablespoons of baking soda to a pint of water� The
cable connection should be cleaned and tightened
regularly�
For battery service or replacement, go to a service
station or dealer who sells and services the make of
battery installed in your touring coach�
NOTE
Reconnect the battery cables to the correct
battery posts.

Battery Storage

During the winter, the batteries should be removed
from the touring coach and stored in a cool, dry place,
where there is no danger of freezing� While in storage,
batteries should be boost charged every 90 days or
when the open circuit voltage drops to 12�5 volts�
This OCV corresponds to approximately 75% state of
charge� The following recommendations may be helpful
if the battery is to be stored:
• When storing the battery in a vehicle or vessel, it is
not necessary to leave it on charge� Disconnect the
negative battery cable� This will prevent inadvertent
discharging of the battery which may lead to a
complete discharge�
• Fully charge the battery before putting it in storage
and store in a cool place�
When storing your Atlas and leaving the house,
batteries in place, it is recommended that the
vehicle be plugged into a 120-volt, 30-amp shoreline
connection for 24 to 48 hours every 30 days�
For more information on charging, storing, and
servicing your batteries please visit Lifeline's website at
Lifelinebatteries�com�
NOTE
A battery will self-discharge 1-3% per month at 80
degrees.
2019 Tommy Bahama TC