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Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

OK.  Whew. I continue to find out about my new-to-me 1996 U320. I need three new engine batteries.

What is the battery model number for the three batteries?

I heard I need Optima (red cap), top posts, and CCA 1150. Is there a stock number or model # for these?

So far I've had the transmission serviced and reset. The third to forth shift problem is gone. I also had the engine serviced. Now I think I have a leaky fuel line letting air in a interrupting fuel flow. It is turning over now but not starting. The engine batteries are old and weak so replacing them is needed anyways. The previous owner used the generator and the boost function to crank it up.
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #1 –
Check on Amazon -

Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery. I have 3 working well. I also use the Optima charger/maintainer
Optima Digital 400.
David & DC
97 U320 40' WTBI M11 450 #5153
01 Wrangler Sport
Near Palacios, TX

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #2 –
I use the same and am very satisfied.
John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #3 –
Several of my sources say the spiral-wound design too frequently fails due to a shorted cell. Too expensive for it's capacity. Marketing hype. Stay with regular, well characterized AGM.  I bought American Battery AGMs and they work great at less cost.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #4 –
While the shorting issue on spiral wound optima red tops may occur my personal experience with our set speaks well.

By accident I left the headlights on for many days.  Zero engine battery volts..

Crud.  Just for grins I charged them back up and continued using them..

Guru buddy tested them separately last week.  780,780,780 out of 800?

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #5 –
Does your coach still have the original fuel lines?  They may be the cause of your no-start condition.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #6 –
The big Cummins in the U320 need plenty of brute force to turn them over.  More that what is needed in a U270 or U295 perhaps.
My 2001 U320 came with Optima Yellowtops.  They have about the same cranking power and much better longer term deep discharge capability, just what they decided was needed for all of the parasitic loads.  I replaced the ten year old original YellowTops with new YellowTops.  $25 rebate when I got them from Amazon, no shipping, two day delivery, at the time with no shipping very competitive price.  They are six years old now and still turn the ISM11 over with no boost.

Mine were about $155 each after rebate and getting a core credit on the old ones. They are  more now.

I have them on a built-in Sterling smart charger when the coach is plugged in. Whatever batteries you choose treat them right and they will do well.

I agree with Brett, a 1996 coach probably needs fuel lines especially if has been where it gets hot for long periods of time, like TX. I doubt our coach sees even 50° as an average temp in MN.  Mine get inspected frequently.  Generator fuel lines seem to go first.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #7 –
I went to Costco and bought 3, 900 amp. hr. 12v wet cells.
Out the door for less than $300. With there warranty I will never buy (pay For) batteries again.
Save your money for other things.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #8 –
You defintely spent less
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
I went to Costco and bought 3, 900 amp. hr. 12v wet cells.
Out the door for less than $300. With there warranty I will never buy (pay For) batteries again.
Save your money for other things.
36 mo. 100% 37 mo. nothing, They eliminated the 8 year pro rate and now sell Interstate branded batteries
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #10 –
My 1996 U320 has standard wet cell 8D batteries and I have had no problems for the last 2 years, and they were not new when I bought the coach--- as others have said, save your money for other things.  The standard wet cell batteries work fine.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #11 –
Just to close the loop, we did get three Optima Red top 800 CCA batteries to replace the old ones. Starts much stronger. Shop had to replace some cracking fuel lines that were causing air in the fuel line. The also reconnected a fuel priming pump that had been disconnected by someone else. 
Fred H.
1996 Foretravel U320 4000 Build #4993 (Previous motorhomes 1985 Airstream 345, 1977 Argosy 20)
Sevierville, TN
ViewRVs.com

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #12 –
Just purchased 2 red top batteries over $400. Last ones lasted 4 years. Need to budget $100 a year for replacements. Now I need to think about the house batteries.
Anyone have experience on the life expectancy of house batteries?
John
1998 U270 34'
 

Re: Engine batteries for 1996 U320?

Reply #13 –
Ten to twelve years has been posted here regularly
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4