Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: [start/chassis] Battery life expectations (Read 447 times) previous topic - next topic

[start/chassis] Battery life expectations

Seems I have lost another set of starter batteries. I have been buying them at a local wholesaler and they come with a year warranty but they are dead after 2 years.

Would like to hear what others are getting out of a set and if you have been doing better than 2 years what brand battery have you been using?
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #1 –
You should be doing way better than two years. I think I sold my U320 with perfectly good start batteries around the 7 year old mark. I've heard of guys going well past 10. Are you frequently draining yours below 50% state of charge?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #2 –
Not intentionally.
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #3 –
8-10 years using three carefully managed Optima Red Tops, starting without boost solenoid.

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #4 –
Battery life is absolutely related to their "care and feeding" (depth of discharge, recharging, no "resting at totally dead") as well as battery quality.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #5 –
As our coach doesn't have solar nor electricity where we store it. I simply remove the battery cables on both chassis & house batteries. It's those phantom draws during un-powered storage or storing with drained batteries that will pull them down and kill them far quicker than you might think.

I have found that it literally takes just a few minutes to pull the cable and also allows me a chance to have a quick look around that area.  however, we use our coach every month of the year and is never in storage more than 3 weeks.
For start batteries, I use 3 odyssey extremes. For the house batteries, I use 3 O'reilly's. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #6 –
[unnecessary comment deleted - moderator Michelle] I found that the best way to ensure the best possible battery life was the continuously supply temperature compensated voltage to all the batteries.

It's not the brand as much as running any battery bank down that was not designed for such a use.

I installed an elaborate(for me) complete solar powered auto connect charging system to prevent discharges.

Car batteries are not designed for basically any discharges. Heavy amps to start. Then maintain voltage.

"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: Battery life expectations

Reply #7 –
The OP specifically mentioned start batteries, not house batteries. Various people have told me over the years that batteries will last anywhere from a few days past the warranty time to double the warranty time. I can remember when you could buy a battery with a 24 month warranty, a 36 month warranty, a 48 month warranty, a 60 month warranty and even a few with 72 month warranties. The longer warranty times are gone, and only very short warranties remain. No idea why.

My experience was that the three start batteries in the coach when we bought it in 2013 lasted until 2022, when I replaced them. We sold the coach in 2023, and as far as I know, those batteries are still working.

During the time that the coach was parked in the storage lot I did disconnect all batteries, both start and house, since there was no power to the coach (no solar or electricity). Otherwise, while we were using the coach, I had a Trik-L-Charge that kept the start batteries charged while we were parked and plugged in.
 

Re: Battery life expectations

Reply #8 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
The OP specifically mentioned start batteries, not house batteries.

Thanks for pointing that out David.  I'll edit the topic title and move the house battery posts to a different thread to keep this one on-topic.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320