6V Bright Way Group Marine Rv batteries not holding charge?

[Imelda]

Hi all, Imelda (Hull 642 elite2) again. I need some advice on my 6V battery (see pics below) . They are about 5 years old and not holding charge over night. For some reason I though these were maintance free batteries but I now thinking I should have been topping them up with DI water and pouring the water through the clear plastic round plug.   One question how do I top the batteries up if it is not too late and they are already damaged and how do I remove this plug? Second question is: does anyone have 6V battery replacement rcommendations if I have to replace these batteries? I called the Bright Way Group and these batteries are discontinued.

 

Edited March 24 by Imelda
add more info

[Geronimo John]

Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) starter batteries usually employ maintenance-free designs.  But FLA deep cycle batteries require regular maintenance to each of their cells.

The plug you are showing typically serves as a vent path.  They are not intended for service, but on many battery's they can be removed for adding DI as you suggested.  The question is does this vent provide a pathway that DI will flow equally to all the individual cells? 

Regardless, doing so can be very dangerous.  A small droplet of sulfuric acid splashed out of the battery can easily blind and/or disfigure. 

Personally IF it were mine, I would not even consider trying to refill these batteries. Just not worth the risk.  Especially since they are 5 years old.  

Bad news you need new batteries.  Good news is you need new batteries, and it is a perfect time to upgrade to Lithium.  See JD's and several other posts on DIY battery upgrades.

Good luck,

GJ

 

[SeaDawg]

What Geronimo John said, plus at 5 years, you've gotten probably all the life you will get from briteway batteries. Time to make a plan to replace. 

[Imelda]

I think that is a good idea to upgrade to lithium as I have a 2K Inverter and solar panels. Where do I find JD post regrading the upgrade?

Also I forgot to ask is there a switch somewhere in my 2020 Oliver2 that I can disconnect the batteries from the 12V DC supply.

[katanapilot]

10 hours ago, Imelda said:

I think that is a good idea to upgrade to lithium as I have a 2K Inverter and solar panels. Where do I find JD post regrading the upgrade?

Also I forgot to ask is there a switch somewhere in my 2020 Oliver2 that I can disconnect the batteries from the 12V DC supply.

Our 2020 Elite 2 did not have a battery shutoff switch installed at the factory, so my assumption is that yours does not either. 

If you are mechanically (and electrically) inclined, you can do the upgrade yourself.  If not, I suggest you find an RV technician that will do it for you.  Even a simple battery swap will likely require new battery cables.  I got rid of our failed BriteWay 6 volt AGM's last year and replaced them with 3- 12 volt BattleBorn LiFePO4 batteries.  This simple swap required new cables and an easy reprogramming of the Xantrex inverter/charger and solar charger.  I'm about finished with a complete Victron replacement of the inverter, solar charger, etc. - but that requires a significant investment of time and money. 

Edited March 25 by katanapilot
added clarifying text

[Imelda]

I am eletcrically and mechanically decent. The biggest problem I see I lifting the batteries up into the battery storage compartment so I may recruit a friend to help lift them. I will try to do this and if all fails get an expert to do this. 

[topgun2]

If you can get the old batteries out of the Oliver - then - you can certainly get the new lithiums back into the Oliver.

One of the nice advantages to lithiums is that they weigh much less than a conventional battery of the same size.

Bill

[dewdev]

@Imelda If  you decide to replae the btteries yourself, make sure you cover the solar collectors so they are not sending power down to the battery compartment. Also take a picture of the existing battery cable placements so you can hook up new similiar batteries (if you chose) the same way.

[Galway Girl]

Imelda:

 

 

For unit 642 (maybe a 2020 or 2021 model year) first step is determined if your Xantrex is an INVERTER only function or if it's a combo inverter charger.

If your system has a 2000w xantrex inverter/charger then the battery swap is simple.

If not, then you'll currently be using an progressive dynamics charger which is located in the black breaker box (under the dinette seat).
The pix below is the breaker box with the cover removed.
The 12v Charger is in the upper left with the white wire connected to the charging board.

Some folks with the Progressive Dynamics charger see a jumper switch on the charger unit (upper left in overview) for charging lithium.  

In the pix below I've zoomed in on the charging board jumpers.


The issue with that LI setting is it's not the "best" way to charge lithiums as it's simply a constant 14.6V voltage...not a ramped profile.  
The WIZ setting of the jumper is a PROFILE for AGM or LEAD Acid.  
The LI Setting is just 14.6V (no ramp/no profile).  

Some battery manufacturers (including Lithionics)  won't warrant their battery in presence of the constant 14.6V no profile setting.

Whichever lithium battery manufacturer you select, LI Time, Epoch, etc....be sure to check what they need as a charging profile.  
If a constant 14.6V works for them, then you might be able to a drop in maintaining your existing Inverter and existing charging system.

I know that battle born did warranty their batteries with the Progressive Dynamics chargers.

Also, there are new "Lithium compatible" plug in boards for the progressive dynamics load center that offer a lithium profile wizard.  
So just upgrading the charging board in your Progressive Dynamics energy center is a possibility. 
Upgrading requires unscrewing that charging board, disconnecting the white wire and sliding in and securing the new charger for LI.

 

In our case (2019 model hull 505) we swapped out the Xantrex 2000W Inverter (only) for a newer Xantrex 2000 inverter charger before installing new Lithiums.

My full upgrade article is here.  
This may be too much of an effort for what you want to accomplish but hopefully my explanations help.

Craig

https://4-ever-hitched.com/ggs-blog/f/lithium-battery-upgrade?blogcategory=Electrical+Upgrades

Edited Tuesday at 06:58 PM by Galway Girl

[Geronimo John]

Art is bringing my hydraulic crimper too the Rally.  If you have the measurements (with a bit of slack of course), the right cables and lugs to fit THAT cable, I would be glad to mechanically crimp them for you.  This cable size and lug ID issue has stumped some of the best of us, so I highly recommend buying them from the same vendor.  

GJ   

[jd1923]

6 hours ago, Imelda said:

I am electrically and mechanically decent. The biggest problem I see I lifting the batteries up into the battery storage compartment so I may recruit a friend to help lift them. I will try to do this and if all fails get an expert to do this. 

They are lighter but larger AH LiFePO4 batteries are still heavy enough. One reason why I purchased the 300AH Epoch at 57 lbs each vs the 460AH at 84 lbs!

Do you have a neighbor, a young man in the neighborhood? I grab my son for two minutes when he gets home from work for many lifting jobs, that just a few years I never gave a second thought doing it myself.

[Imelda]

I have a tractor with a front loader bucket so I was thinking of sliding the old 6V batteries from the storage compartment onto the tractor bucket at the same height and getting the new ones on that way.  If all else fails then get a neighbor.

[Imelda]

I beleive I have the right XC Xantrex Freedom Inverter 2000 watts.

Amazon has this lithium ion on sale. I dont believe living in Texas I need a heated battery

 

[Imelda]

or there is the one that JD recommends. Too many choices. I think I could 4 of these in the battery compartmne to replace the 4X6V oned that are there. I amy need to buy some new connector cables. 

 

[Imelda]

I think I could fit 4 or probably just 2 of the Lifepo4 above the same compartment that has the existing 4X6V batteries . Would 2 be enough to provide Power to run the microwave or more batteries better?? Just checked, I can only get 2 batteries in this space

 

Edited Wednesday at 06:37 PM by Imelda
add more info

[jd1923]

Love a front-end loader! Miss the Kubota tractor I had to sell when we left VA!

I would not buy ANY brand on Amazon. Check out these:
https://www.amazon.com/Litime-LiFePO4-Battery-Lithium-Phosphate/dp/B0BYH8J176/

Check out this post, same issue as you have. Check out @Ronbrink's post, 5th post on this thread. He and @topgun2 have had these batteries installed for some time without issues. This is the cheapest solution and the "Spring Deal" price today is AMAZING! Ron shows a picture of his clean installation in this link:

 

[Imelda]

Yip this seems to be a good option. Amazon has them on Spring sale.. JD and all how many of these batteries did you get to in the Olly battery storage compartment? It loos like I can only fit 2 batteries

It seems like a lot of batteries come with a Blu tooth options. How would this be useful?

Edited Wednesday at 11:21 PM by Imelda

[SeaDawg]

@Imelda, to begin with you only need 2 (or even one) 12v lifepo4 batteries to replace x4 6v batteries. Your 6v batteries were wired to create 12v power.(first in series, then parallel.)

If you don't understand this, and many don't. , I'd highly suggest that you a) go to the rally, and enlist the help of the many who have volunteered above or b) hire a local rv tech to install new battery(ies) and create additional important wiring connections. Imo, there is no real thing that is a "drop in" lifepo4 battery. Especially  in your case, wired for 4 x 6 v batteries.

You have done so many great projects on your own. But, this is critical. Loose, or  improperly sized, or small wire diameter can cause a fire. Improper settings, or incorrect charging equipment can shorten the life, or disable new batteries, at the most inconvenient time.

We have a lot of people on the forum who have "done their own" with lithium,  but they have some extensive study and engineering and/or electrical background, including us.

I've never heard of the second battety you posted. Imo, battleborn is great, and highly overpriced, but great customer service.. 

Please take some time, and continue to discuss here.

 

[SeaDawg]

Here's my case. We will likely need to replace our 2 x group 31 12v batteries this year. They are at least 7 years old, still holding a charge, but , hey.

We have no inverter.  No microwave.  None of that high powered draw. We may, not sure, just replace both 12v agms (105 ah) with a single lifepo4 battety. Maybe x 2. We will see.

For us, 105 ah is "enough." But, we don't camp in high temps, usually stay east of the Mississippi.  If we actually need ac, we camp with power. (6 times in 17 years.)

Everyone had different needs and wants.v

 

Edited Thursday at 01:48 AM by SeaDawg

[Imelda]

Thank you SeaDawg and all. I agree and there are all kind of opportunity where replacing the batteries can go wrong. Like moving the batteries out etc. A lot to consider here.  I will get an expert to do it. 

Edited Thursday at 04:55 PM by Imelda
add more

[SeaDawg]

another thread to read, recently. You are not alone.

We just want everyone to he safe, and happy.

 

[Teaney Hull 292]

On 3/25/2025 at 6:26 AM, katanapilot said:

Our 2020 Elite 2 did not have a battery shutoff switch installed at the factory, so my assumption is that yours does not either. 

If you are mechanically (and electrically) inclined, you can do the upgrade yourself.  If not, I suggest you find an RV technician that will do it for you.  Even a simple battery swap will likely require new battery cables.  I got rid of our failed BriteWay 6 volt AGM's last year and replaced them with 3- 12 volt BattleBorn LiFePO4 batteries.  This simple swap required new cables and an easy reprogramming of the Xantrex inverter/charger and solar charger.  I'm about finished with a complete Victron replacement of the inverter, solar charger, etc. - but that requires a significant investment of time and money. 

I’m in the same moment with Hull 292, a 2017 sweet Ollie. How much is your upgrade expected to cost? I’m thinking, new 3000 Xantrex, cables, around 400AH of Lithium, new cables, fuses, bus bars, and someone smarter than me to put it all together. 

[Teaney Hull 292]

On 3/25/2025 at 2:55 PM, Galway Girl said:

Imelda:

 

 

For unit 642 (maybe a 2020 or 2021 model year) first step is determined if your Xantrex is an INVERTER only function or if it's a combo inverter charger.

If your system has a 2000w xantrex inverter/charger then the battery swap is simple.

If not, then you'll currently be using an progressive dynamics charger which is located in the black breaker box (under the dinette seat).
The pix below is the breaker box with the cover removed.
The 12v Charger is in the upper left with the white wire connected to the charging board.

Some folks with the Progressive Dynamics charger see a jumper switch on the charger unit (upper left in overview) for charging lithium.  

In the pix below I've zoomed in on the charging board jumpers.


The issue with that LI setting is it's not the "best" way to charge lithiums as it's simply a constant 14.6V voltage...not a ramped profile.  
The WIZ setting of the jumper is a PROFILE for AGM or LEAD Acid.  
The LI Setting is just 14.6V (no ramp/no profile).  

Some battery manufacturers (including Lithionics)  won't warrant their battery in presence of the constant 14.6V no profile setting.

Whichever lithium battery manufacturer you select, LI Time, Epoch, etc....be sure to check what they need as a charging profile.  
If a constant 14.6V works for them, then you might be able to a drop in maintaining your existing Inverter and existing charging system.

I know that battle born did warranty their batteries with the Progressive Dynamics chargers.

Also, there are new "Lithium compatible" plug in boards for the progressive dynamics load center that offer a lithium profile wizard.  
So just upgrading the charging board in your Progressive Dynamics energy center is a possibility. 
Upgrading requires unscrewing that charging board, disconnecting the white wire and sliding in and securing the new charger for LI.

 

In our case (2019 model hull 505) we swapped out the Xantrex 2000W Inverter (only) for a newer Xantrex 2000 inverter charger before installing new Lithiums.

My full upgrade article is here.  
This may be too much of an effort for what you want to accomplish but hopefully my explanations help.

Craig

https://4-ever-hitched.com/ggs-blog/f/lithium-battery-upgrade?blogcategory=Electrical+Upgrades

I followed Craig’s very informative post, and Progressive’s replacement board to correctly charge the Lithium batteries is $181. Good install info on their site. 

[Teaney Hull 292]

On 3/25/2025 at 5:21 PM, Geronimo John said:

Art is bringing my hydraulic crimper too the Rally.  If you have the measurements (with a bit of slack of course), the right cables and lugs to fit THAT cable, I would be glad to mechanically crimp them for you.  This cable size and lug ID issue has stumped some of the best of us, so I highly recommend buying them from the same vendor.  

GJ   

If I may, I would like to take you up on that offer if I can’t get it done before then. 

Gary

[Teaney Hull 292]

On 3/26/2025 at 1:49 PM, Imelda said:

or there is the one that JD recommends. Too many choices. I think I could 4 of these in the battery compartmne to replace the 4X6V oned that are there. I amy need to buy some new connector cables. 

 

WOW! I was thinking around 3 140Ah giving me 420Ahs. This could Rock my Boondocking Dreams.