Towing News About 2015 Honda Fit
After a year’s hiatus, the Honda Fit has returned for the 2015 model year. In previous years, both manual- and automatic-transmission models were towable four wheels down. The owners manual for the 2015 Honda Fit states that only manual-transmission models are towable. More information about this model is available at http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/.
Note: Not all trim lines, engine configurations, etc. may be towable in a particular model. Before purchasing any vehicle to tow behind a motorhome, consult the accompanying owners manual to ensure it is suitable for four-wheels-down towing.
Oily Electrolyte
Editor’s note: We received several responses to the “Mineral Oil In Batteries” letter (March 2014 issue, page 18) concerning adding mineral oil to the electrolyte in a motorhome’s batteries; so, we decided to follow up that letter with a representative sample of the comments. We also are including information that we received upon further inquiry into this matter.
I have a 2002 Newmar Dutch Star diesel pusher. It came with four Interstate U-2200 house batteries. In 2003 I added 4 ounces of mineral oil to each cell. I replaced the batteries in 2012 after nearly 10 years of service. At the time they were replaced, they were still good enough to last through the night, but we were headed out on a trip and I didn’t want any trouble on the road. I went with the same batteries, and I once again added 4 ounces of mineral oil to each cell. I took two pictures of my battery bank in December 2007. When I replaced the batteries in 2012, they looked the same, with no corrosion on the terminals or the battery tray. Through their service life, all I did was add distilled water as needed. The results speak for themselves.
Deen Adolphe, F47302s
Vancouver, Washington
I “oiled” my batteries in 2009 after reading an article in the Freightliner Chassis Owners Club (FMCA chapter) newsletter — page 19 of the 1st Quarter 2009. Here’s a link to that newsletter: www.fcocrv.org/Documents/Newsletters/FLF2009Q1.pdf. My batteries have been happy campers ever since. The cell tops are clean, with no evidence of acid, and the levels are steady. I’ve added less than a few ounces of water to each cell since adding the mineral oil, so I’ve backed off checking the cell levels to twice annually. What mystified me in the article was the statement about the mixing of electrolyte with the mineral oil. Mineral oil’s specific gravity is about 0.76 to 0.87, whereas electrolyte runs about 1.15 to 1.28, depending on the state of charge. Seems to me the two liquids would maintain separation. At any rate, after more than five years, I’ve had no problems with my “oiled” batteries.
Pete Graef, F382871
Saluda, North Carolina
I always enjoy the “Tech Talk” column. In fact, it is the first thing I read in the magazine each month. When I purchased my Tiffin Phaeton new in 2010, I wanted to keep the batteries in “new” condition as long as possible, so I did research on additives. I read where Thomas Edison added oil to his batteries to prolong their life. All my research led me to add 4 ounces of mineral oil to each cell. Now, more than four years later, my batteries are like new, without the necessity of cleaning corrosion caused by escaping gas during the normal daily recharging cycle. With the residential refrigerator and other steady draws on the six house batteries, the mineral oil not only cuts down needing to add water, but it has kept the battery compartment clean. We are full-timers and enjoy FMCA and our life on the road.
Otis and Linda Lutz, F392946
Grant-Valkaria, Florida
I contacted Interstate Batteries’ Gale Kimbrough, who conducts seminars at FMCA conventions about servicing RV batteries, and I asked him about the idea of adding mineral oil to each cell of flooded batteries to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation and to lengthen battery life.
He indicated that Interstate Batteries’ position is that nothing should be added to battery cells except water, preferably distilled water. He said that an outside lab ran tests on the addition of mineral oil and that the results illustrated no difference in water loss between oil addition and no oil when starting with the proper electrolyte level.
“When the battery’s electrolyte is maintained properly between ½-inch above the plates and ¼-inch below the bottom of the vent well, water loss is often minimized,” he said. “Batteries are often overfilled, creating water loss.”
Cabin Cooler
I have a small cabin in the mountain wilderness of northern California. After 40 years of good performance, my Brazilian-made Consul propane refrigerator died (sigh). I am now looking to replace it with another propane refrigerator. The old-time Servel — now Dometic — made by Electrolux in Sweden, seems to be the best bet for replacement. However, the Dometic RGE 400 has only 8 cubic feet of interior space. The Dometic “New Generation” RM3962 has a 9-cubic-foot interior capacity, which I would prefer. Is there any reason I shouldn’t use this particular refrigerator, or are there any additional facts I should know about using an RV refrigerator in a residential home? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Doug Vieyra
Eureka, California
Back in the days when Servel refrigerators were widely used in rural areas, they were put on the back porch where the fumes and the carbon monoxide were dissipated. These refrigerators had manual controls that did not require electric current. The Dometic RM3962 refrigerator, if operated on propane, would need to have the burner fumes vented to the outside and would require battery power (12-volt DC) to operate the controls, which could be provided by the proper solar power system. Other than that, the refrigerator should work fine.