Once we get landed in Stockton I'm going to replace the three start batteries. They look like typical automotive batteries, so I'm hoping that they won't be too heavy to lift out. What is the current thinking on what to use? I'm assuming that I'll get them in Bolivar, so O'Reilly's, Auto Zone, and Wal-Mart are the choices for stores.
Mine has 3x group 24, which I got at costco. They work great.
Optima AGM RedTop is popular with (some) Forum folks. Available at most auto part chain stores, or they can get them on short notice. Shop around for the best deal...they are often on sale.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/OBT2/RED34/03321.oap?ck=Search_C0423_1327766_-1&pt=C0423&ppt=C0005
I don't believe in the red/yellow top batteries. Good quote but I don't want to offend. I have always used Duralast batteries. I installed three 24 series Duralasts in our coach the day we bought it in N.C. Still cranking like new about 8 years later. Other good choice would be 31 series. Duralasts are made by Johnson Controls.
Three Duralasts should be a bit over $300.
Pierce
Freightliner has had their group 31 start batteries on sale for $70: Houston Freightliner: XHD31C 1,000 CCA 69.95ea
Every Foretravel unihome and unicoach made had optima agm l batteries in them new. And gels for the house.
Yes it's more money. Are you a price or quality buyer?
Quality buyer. That's why I buy Duralasts. I remember someone bemoaning the fact that our coaches skimped on the chassis rustproofing.
P
If you go to the optima website you will find they only make agm batteries, not gel.
David,
A newly overhauled engine is always tight which makes cranking
more difficult. This can make a good battery seem not as strong.
You might want to have the batteries checked before purchasing
new ones.
Carter-
Yes changed my post to Agm
Duralast has a very good rating. Do a search on "optima quality", it would be my last choice.
What year did they stop using 8D batteries?
I was not able to fit 31s in my rack. I measured because I wanted to go with commercial batteries vs automotive. 24 takes up the full width.
Commercial 31s are a tiny bit wider but about an inch longer. Capacity will be about 80Ah for a 24 but 125Ah for a 31 series. A pretty big advantage. The commercial warranty is usually not as long but that's just a competitive thing for manufactures vying for sales in the automotive battery market. They have the added advantage of a little more distance between the plates and the bottom of the battery so as the battery ages, the deteriorating plate material can't bridge the gap between the battery bottom and the plates above shorting the battery.
Battery quality can usually be determined by weight. For a determined DIYer, the rack may be modified so they will fit. Three good quality 24 series should start a 9 or 10 liter diesel in sub-freeing weather. Naturally, a 31 series has a lot more in reserve. One 8D can't match three 31s but two 8D really rule.
Pierce
I bought my last set of Red Tops at Amazon - cheapest price I could find (and they were recent with free shipping) - Then I took my old ones back to Napa and got money for them...
Pulled the batteries out last night, cleaned them off and found that they are from O'Reilly's. We had to go to Buffalo today, so I took the batteries along. Fortunately I asked for them to test them first. All three tested fine. Young eyes found a date code - batteries were made just before we bought the coach. I was told I can expect seven years (!) out of these, and some people have gotten 12. Guess I'll put them back in after supper. Since we didn't have to buy three batteries we decided to splurge and get a couple of Orange Julius drinks instead. Much cheaper and certainly tastier.
Why did you pull them? ??? Can you not monitor both battery banks?
seven years is average as long as your batteries arent abused ( left dead, deep cycled, overcharged, etc). Ten to twelve is exceptional.
Mike, I assumed that I would have to replace them, so I may as well take them with me when we went into town. Yes, putting a meter on each bank is pretty easy, once all my joints are creaking together in harmony.
We replaced all three Redtops this trip in Savannah at O'Reillys for $680. They did the install! Store manager pitched in. When the last battery came out, it was a 2011 and the other two were early 2012. (That date seems like yesterday...but, time flies.) We are now fresh as a daisy and we know what we have on board.
I did get the "Click Click Click" the day before. The "Boost" allowed an almost instant start up. The day we made the purchase, the boost was not as forceful, but we got up and running to the O'Reilly store. They get good marks for service from me!
Lots of ten to twelve year oem red top batteries posts here
I had yellow tops.. will they be sufficient ? Was going to put 3 in. I already have them
Yellow tops were OEM in my 2001 U320. I replaced mine with yellowtops in 2011. Still strong.
Are yellow tops / red tops a specific model or do they come in different sizes ?
Three Autozone Duralast 34 series in September of 2009. Still starts like the day I put them in with no boost on the 9 liter Detroit. $300 for all three in '09. Trickle charge them at 13.1 volts
Pierce
Just spoke to auto zone they have the duralast 24 in stock for $94 plus tax .
As always I am in a CG , need to strategically place dog pen to block view of security staff as I pull batteries and clean every connection I can find .
Missy ( my four legged friend) normally deters any unwelcome attention !!!!!
Don't know about group 24, but look at group 34 for start batteries. Freighliner often has sales on them. The are in the 1000 CCA range.
Wolf
Tried to find frieghtliner battery's and unable to nail them down, is there a specific model or number or supplier ??
Try Freightlinner truck dealer near you then search parts.
Found a local dealer, , solid post connections is part 31P925 $97 , the threaded posts are $80 but would involve new interlink cables
Update
Frieghtline do a post adaptor for $3 so may go that route until I have opportunity to make new link connections.
Jimmy,
From another forum, here are the battery manufacturers. Johnson Controls has an excellent track record and owns Deka Batteries.
Quote:
"I'm shopping for a replacement for my Optima and don't want to by more junk.
O'Reilly Auto Parts - East Penn (Deka)
Autozone Duralast - Johnson Controls
Advance Auto Parts - Johnson Controls
Carquest - East Penn (Deka)
Walmart / Sam's - Exide(?)
AC Delco - Johnson Controls"
End quote
Pierce
Is Trojan still around, and are they rebranded also? Had good luck with Trojans on the boat.
Believe East Penn [Deka] and Johnson Controls and Trojan are separate companies, all US owned and good quality
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/batteries/lead-acid-batteries/battery
Corporate Profile | Trojan Battery Company (http://www.trojanbattery.com/corporate-overview/)http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/applications/trucks-buses-equipment/
Just looking through all the options and frieghtline Looks to have best prices
This site shows the link between Johnson and Deka: Johnson Battery Company :: Batteries (http://www.johnsonbatteryco.com/motive-power/batteries/) Perhaps they are close partners.
Pierce
Yes looks like they resell them.
Johnson Battery is the exclusive Deka motive power battery representative in Georgia, North and Central Florida. Our Company maintains an inventory of 200+ new Deka batteries and over 50 Certified Reconditioned batteries in stock to offer quick delivery to our customers which results in decreased downtime.
Just got 2 Trojan house batteries from Continental battery about $500 each,were rated higher than Oreily's.
I have always heard that Trojan was an excellent name in batteries. Lots of them in golf carts.
P
Just bought three frieghtliner start batteries, had to stick with solid post as they with only accept like for like on core exchange, anyway final cost out of door $315 .
Wow do they spin the motor on start up !!
Physically much bigger than the lifelines they replaced.
Looks like these may have been original size fitted by foretravel
I downloaded and blew the photo up. 31 series with 2775 CCA and 5/17 dates. Take out the Cummins and put an electric motor in. Nice installation and you even have the correct cable connections.
Good job.
Pierce
Thanks pierce, the nice installation is down to advice from this forum and good luck !
I was shocked at how it spun the motor compared to lifelines!
Since I managed to run over and crush my battery tender plus that I used to charge old lifelines, now looking for new charger recommendations?
Either another Battery Tender or install a Trik-l-start
Consider battery minder brand. 1500 model is what I use. Adds desulfation and is approved for optima. They also have a temp monitor available if you want to go crazy
I've been using a 2 amp for 8 years. 13.1 volts while on shore power.
Pierce