How to Change Batteries in an RV
- 1). Locate the battery. RVs can have batteries located in a variety of places, including under the hood, in the rear or front or in storage compartments. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- 2). Look for two cables that attach to the battery. One cable is black (negative). The other is red (positive). Pay attention to which cable is positive and which is negative to avoid damage to your RV. Use the wrench to loosen the nut on the negative cable. You must remove the negative cable first. Use a screwdriver, if necessary, to help loosen the cable and pop it off of the battery. If the terminal has a lot of corrosion, use a wire brush or steel wool to remove as much as possible, then try to remove the cable again. Remove the positive cable in the same manner after you have successfully removed the negative cable.
- 3). Remove the battery clamp, if necessary. Use your screwdriver and unscrew the clamp to remove. Lift the battery out of the housing. Use the wire brush or steel wool to clear away any battery acid or corrosion remaining in the battery compartment. Use a thin layer of petroleum jelly or high-temperature grease to coat the terminals and terminal clamps. This will help prevent future corrosion.
- 4). Lower the new battery into the now-empty space. Screw the battery clamp back into place, if applicable. Take the positive (red) cable and attach this first, followed by the negative (black) cable. Attach them securely by tightening the nuts.
- 5). Return the old battery to the store from which you bought the new battery. Returning the old battery will often allow you to receive a small portion of your money back. If not, it will at least ensure the battery is disposed of properly.
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