Title: batteries
Post by: oldguy on July 27, 2014, 08:03:52 pm
Post by: oldguy on July 27, 2014, 08:03:52 pm
How good are US battery. I need to replace my deep cycle batteries so I want to get great batteries
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: fkjohns6083 on July 27, 2014, 08:55:14 pm
Post by: fkjohns6083 on July 27, 2014, 08:55:14 pm
There are a lot of very good batteries out there. I personally Think that any good brand is fine as it is not so much the battery that you buy as it is how it is maintained. Improper maintenance of any battery will kill it. There is a lot of info on the forum about batteries, basically you need to buy a good one and maintain it properly. Have a great day ---- Fritz
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: jeff on July 27, 2014, 09:10:48 pm
Post by: jeff on July 27, 2014, 09:10:48 pm
Old guy, what year and model coach do you have? Reason I ask, if you have an 02-03 house batteries are in the middle of the coach and a bear to work on... SO buy sealed batteries. If you have, say, a 93 batteries are on a slide and simple to do maintenance .
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 27, 2014, 09:26:14 pm
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 27, 2014, 09:26:14 pm
If you have, say, a 93 batteries are on a slide and simple to do maintenance .
On my '93, the batteries are NOT on a slide, and they WERE a BEAR to work on...which is probably why they died a premature death! Replaced with AGM's - problem solved. ^.^d
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: oldguy on July 28, 2014, 12:54:01 am
Post by: oldguy on July 28, 2014, 12:54:01 am
My batteries are on a slide and are easily to work on
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2014, 09:29:36 am
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2014, 09:29:36 am
OldGuy,
It will be easier for people to answer your questions if they know something about your coach. Go to your profile page and fill out the "RV Information", then add the same basic info to your "Signature". We're not just being nosy - when forum members know about you, your coach, and your location, then answers can be more specific. Also, other forum members with the same year/model coach will be more likely to respond.
It will be easier for people to answer your questions if they know something about your coach. Go to your profile page and fill out the "RV Information", then add the same basic info to your "Signature". We're not just being nosy - when forum members know about you, your coach, and your location, then answers can be more specific. Also, other forum members with the same year/model coach will be more likely to respond.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 09:57:37 am
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 09:57:37 am
My batteries are not on a slide, I installed a single point watering type system. Piece of cake to maintain water level. Now if only I had an automated cleaning system as batteries behind the rear wheels get a lot of crap on them......Don't know who the nut-job was that determined that was a good place for house batteries. >:D
Roland
Roland
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Bill Chaplin on July 28, 2014, 10:25:16 am
Post by: Bill Chaplin on July 28, 2014, 10:25:16 am
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/135x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23302.jpg (http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/135x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23302.jpg)
makes job a no back breaker
makes job a no back breaker
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2014, 10:50:17 am
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2014, 10:50:17 am
Don't know who the nut-job was that determined that was a good place for house batteries. >:D
On my coach there are sheets of rubber/plastic material bolted (on both sides) to the frame up behind the rear wheels...very heavy industrial grade looking stuff. They are not in the "mud flap" position, but up high on the frame, where they pretty much deflect all the water/junk coming off the rear tires. They keep trash from being blown up between the CAC and the radiator, and my batteries stay pretty clean, except for the normal accumulation of dust. I have wondered if these items were factory installed, or added by a PO. Only one downside: they make it a lot harder to install my safety stands behind the rear wheels.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Caflashbob on July 28, 2014, 11:20:10 am
Post by: Caflashbob on July 28, 2014, 11:20:10 am
My batteries are not on a slide, I installed a single point watering type system. Piece of cake to maintain water level. Now if only I had an automated cleaning system as batteries behind the rear wheels get a lot of crap on them......Don't know who the nut-job was that determined that was a good place for house batteries. >:D
Roland
Weight balance was a Foretravel design parameter.
Shorter cable to the starter.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: drcscruggs on July 28, 2014, 11:58:11 am
Post by: drcscruggs on July 28, 2014, 11:58:11 am
I had conventional lead acid batteries placed when I bought my FT about 3 years ago. They lasted only about 2 years as I was not very good about adding water (as it was a PITA to access). They probably would have worked for some but I got rid of them and placed Lifeline batteries, these never need water added as they are sealed and also don't leak acid like conventional batteries. I would recommend them and they cost about 4 times what the lead acid batteries. I am hoping and expecting to get longer life out of them. Both old conventional and new Lifeline AGM are 8D, and are heavy. I, so far have been happy with the new ones (after about a year).
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:00:20 pm
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:00:20 pm
Weight balance was a Foretravel design parameter.
Shorter cable to the starter.
Roland
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: wa_desert_rat on July 28, 2014, 12:14:13 pm
Post by: wa_desert_rat on July 28, 2014, 12:14:13 pm
I don't think many RVs have batteries that are well located. My U225 has a well-designed box around all of them (start and house) but the short storage bin means checking water is difficult and messy. I don't think anyone did it before I got the coach and I can understand why. The location begs for AGMs but I have had wet-cell batteries in RVs and boats before that lasted for years and don't see why the same can't be true in this environment.
I am very tempted to try an automatic watering system but not sure where to put the reservoir. The old vacuum cleaner cupboard is the logical choice as it is directly over the battery box but is also full of inverter and solar panel stuff.
Roland... do you have any details about your watering installation?
Craig
I am very tempted to try an automatic watering system but not sure where to put the reservoir. The old vacuum cleaner cupboard is the logical choice as it is directly over the battery box but is also full of inverter and solar panel stuff.
Roland... do you have any details about your watering installation?
Craig
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:24:21 pm
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:24:21 pm
Roland... do you have any details about your watering installation?
Craig
Roland
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:26:26 pm
Post by: Roland Begin on July 28, 2014, 12:26:26 pm
Oh, and I called them to make sure the caps would fit on my 8D's.
Roland
Roland
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 12:35:55 pm
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 12:35:55 pm
Being an older guy, and not wanting to man handle 8D batteries, I replaced mine with a bank of 6 volt golf cart deep cycle batteries. I did this on my boat years ago with great success, and after a year on the coach, I am well satisfied with the golf cart batteries.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 12:40:26 pm
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 12:40:26 pm
Forget to mention, 8D batteries are famous for short life. They have a higher specific gravity than other batteries and as a result haver a higher self discharge rate. I got 8 year life out of the last set of golf cart batteries on my boat.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Michelle on July 28, 2014, 12:41:39 pm
Post by: Michelle on July 28, 2014, 12:41:39 pm
Being an older guy, and not wanting to man handle 8D batteries, I replaced mine with a bank of 6 volt golf cart deep cycle batteries. I did this on my boat years ago with great success, and after a year on the coach, I am well satisfied with the golf cart batteries.
Assume you have a coach with readily-accessible batteries? Some years (2002-5, I think) have the batteries midline of the coach behind a panel. Gel or AGM are the ones to use there.
As Chuck (cajk) recommends, it really helps to have coach year/model in signatures to help answer questions and to make sure answers apply to the the situation. :)
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 01:04:55 pm
Post by: Kemahjohn on July 28, 2014, 01:04:55 pm
The coach I did this on is a 1990 Grand Villa, U280. The old battery box was bad due to acid leakage, so I built a new one about the same size. Good news is 2- golf cart batteries
Take the same space as a single 8D
Take the same space as a single 8D
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Tom Lang on July 28, 2014, 01:26:12 pm
Post by: Tom Lang on July 28, 2014, 01:26:12 pm
Assume you have a coach with readily-accessible batteries? Some years (2002-5, I think) have the batteries midline of the coach behind a panel. Gel or AGM are the ones to use there.
As Chuck (cajk) recommends, it really helps to have coach year/model in signatures to help answer questions and to make sure answers apply to the the situation. :)
Our 2003 is a non-tag 38' U295. The house batteries are 3 8D agms set beside the fuel tank on the driver side. Fully accessible from outside with enough headroom to climb on top. Not slide out, but not needed.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Michelle on July 28, 2014, 01:35:29 pm
Post by: Michelle on July 28, 2014, 01:35:29 pm
Our 2003 is a non-tag 38' U295. The house batteries are 3 8D agms set beside the fuel tank on the driver side. Fully accessible from outside with enough headroom to climb on top. Not slide out, but not needed.
I guess it even varies model-to-model. Here's what our 2003 tag 40' U320 has, and I believe Jeff & Carol's '02 is the same
Have to empty the bay and remove the panel to access the batteries. Other systems that require more frequent attention than the batteries have the more-accessible locations. Everything's a trade-off :)
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: John Haygarth on July 28, 2014, 07:40:01 pm
Post by: John Haygarth on July 28, 2014, 07:40:01 pm
The mention of shorter life for 8D seems strange as some folks on Forum have had over 10 if I remember right. I hope to get that many with the Lifelines I have and solar charging
JohnH
JohnH
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Tom Lang on July 28, 2014, 08:16:36 pm
Post by: Tom Lang on July 28, 2014, 08:16:36 pm
My original three 8D gels lasted over ten years. There were still going strong, but suddenly one of the three developed an intermittent shorted cell. I now have Lifeline AGMs installed.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: J. D. Stevens on July 29, 2014, 12:24:38 am
Post by: J. D. Stevens on July 29, 2014, 12:24:38 am
My "no name" 8D AGM batteries lasted about eight years. They lasted about five years for the previous owner and about three years for us. I replaced them with Lifeline AGM batteries. Warranty is six years. I don't recall the details of the warranty.
AGM batteries appear to cause much less corrosion to surroundings than the corrosion that wet cells cause. I use AGMs in two motorcycles, one car, and the FT. There is no corrosion near the batteries on any of those vehicles. Tractor and other three cars use wet cells, and all show corrosion near the batteries.
AGM batteries appear to cause much less corrosion to surroundings than the corrosion that wet cells cause. I use AGMs in two motorcycles, one car, and the FT. There is no corrosion near the batteries on any of those vehicles. Tractor and other three cars use wet cells, and all show corrosion near the batteries.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on July 29, 2014, 02:54:06 am
Post by: Lon and Cheryl on July 29, 2014, 02:54:06 am
I installed 4 - 6V US Battery 145 deep cycles over 3 years ago. Still going strong, very little up keep.
The coach batteries are located for easy access on a pull out tray on my coach. I would like to add 2 or 4 more.
The 3 start batteries are in a compartment behind the rear tires and are easy to service.
The coach batteries are located for easy access on a pull out tray on my coach. I would like to add 2 or 4 more.
The 3 start batteries are in a compartment behind the rear tires and are easy to service.
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: bbeane on July 29, 2014, 06:00:12 am
Post by: bbeane on July 29, 2014, 06:00:12 am
The mention of shorter life for 8D seems strange as some folks on Forum have had over 10 if I remember right. I hope to get that many with the Lifelines I have and solar charging
JohnH
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: Dan Stansel on July 29, 2014, 08:19:55 am
Post by: Dan Stansel on July 29, 2014, 08:19:55 am
Never have turned my gen auto start on. Keep coach hooked to shore power when in storage and only boondock when at Wally World. Batteries always stay charged. Use inverter for tv and xm and computers. DAN
Title: Re: batteries
Post by: John S on July 29, 2014, 09:09:25 am
Post by: John S on July 29, 2014, 09:09:25 am
Mine is on all the time unless I am in the storage building. I turn it off then but when I am on the road and starting out one of my first things is to turn on auto start.