(Topic moved from a different thread)
We have been wondering about our house batteries ever since our failed attempt at dry camping near Laughlin, NV. The 8D's are both labeled "Continental". When I went to the Continental website, I interpreted the information as indicating my batteries are not deep cycle; but commercial cranking batteries. I read the info as saying "Trojan" is Continental's deep cycle brand. I haven't had a battery pro look at them yet; since we aren't boondocking much these days. Does anyone here have any knowledge of Continental batteries?
Looking at Continental Batteries web site, it does appear that they do have deep cycle batteries in the Continental line. For example, they handle marine, golf car, and home mobility batteries which are all deep cycle type batteries. And they are dealers for Trojan, Optima and NABS/Roadwarrier batteries.
There are not a lot of battery manufacturers in the U.S. I think that there are about 4 of them total. But there are a number of remanufacturers. Where Continental falls in this feeding chain is a good question. I know Continental is a old time name in the field, like Trojan, but so many companies have been brought out, or merged, that it is hard to know who is who. Very much like the oil companies, and the oil companies would be worse today, had it not been for a federal anti trust law suit of many years ago! see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Oil#Monopoly_charges.2C_anti-trust_litigation_and_breakup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Oil#Monopoly_charges.2C_anti-trust_litigation_and_breakup)
Oh, as a piece of triva, the man who broke up Standard Oil went on to become the first Commissioner of Baseball!
For cranking batteries I would use the Deka Dominator, for the house Deka Seamates. :D
Hi Jeff, For house batteries you can't beat "Glass Mat" type, I prefer the brand "Lifeline" they are very expensive as compared to regular "wet cell" batteries, however they are lighter in weight, have a longer life, and have better duty cycle characteristic. The 8 D battery basically refers to the physical size of the Battery. Here is a site that will give you info. on the different type batteries available in the 8 D format . Gerry
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm (http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm)
http://www.dcbattery.com/agmtech.html (http://www.dcbattery.com/agmtech.html)
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/ (http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/)
Jeff & Suzanne,
We have been very pleased with our AGM battereis from Interstate. We dealt with their Lake Zurich, IL facility. But for 3 batteries you will be looking at something on the order of $2200. ARe you guys still back in Illinois?
Thanks all for the battery input. . .we know what we want for house batteries. . .the ones we have now came with the coach; and we aren't sure if the previous owner put in cranking batteries by mistake. The question arose when our "new" (as advertised when we bought The Burrow) batteries failed to hold up after 4 hours into boondocking with a very low amp load demand. We haven't yet had anyone do a load test or look at them to determine whether they are deep cycle or cranking. . .will do in Nac this October.
George, we are still plugged in at the Gt. Lakes Naval Training Center Fam Camp about 35 yards from the shore of Lake Michigan. We'll be here until the end of July while Suzanne has her knees worked on by the excellent VA (no surgery or replacement yet); and I get extensive dental work done; along with ongoing Agent Orange issues.
For some good info on electric go www.poopsheetsbyphred.com (http://www.poopsheetsbyphred.com)
Bill W.
Glass Mat and AGM are the same thing. If having a hard time finding them, check at a airport base operater/sales office. You will often find Lifeline batteries being sold by them because they don't leak when upside down. like a airplane sometimes does. Lifeline is a brand, and is a AGM or Glass Mat construction and are deep cycle batteries.
poopsheetsbywho? Can't get anything to come up.
Try http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html (http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html)
phred wrote articles for Escapees magazine for over 20 years
google 'poop sheets by phred'
http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html (http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html)
PatC wrote:
There is a lot of conjecture regarding batteries and especially deep cycle batteries.
Opinions abound regarding the best battery for boondocking.
We have boondocked 80% or more each year for the last ten years.
Batteries are very important to us and our lifestyle for storage of solar and wind power for use on a daily basis.
I have done a reasonable amount of research on batteries and feel that the preferred place to get my information is from a company that makes ALL three kinds of batteries.
The company I look to for my battery information is the East Penn Battery Company, the largest independent manufacturer in the U.S.
You might find the following from their website informative.
http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0139.pdf (http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0139.pdf)
It is a lot of reading but, if you really want to know, it is worth it.
Regards,
Some boondockers swear by Trojan 6 volt golf cart batteries. If you have multiple 8D batteries and can hook up the 6V Trojans in parallel and series then that might work very well provided that you can keep water in them. My personal experience did not work out so well as I replaced a SINGLE 12V battery with two 6V Trojans. One battery went bad and I now had only 6 volts! There is more of a chance of uneven charging with that situation which is what caused my problem. If you decide to go with golf cart batteries make sure the charging voltage is the same across all of them.