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Battery question/opinion

 While I'm down with the dryer out and waiting on Napa to get a new one in, I decided to check the batteries for the big motor because the trik l start was not hooked up after the isolator was replaced at MOT and the batteries were too low to start the motor. I took the batteries out and had them checked at Napa and 2 of the three batteries we're good one being bad. So my question is do I get another Optima red top  to replace the bad one so all three batteries are the same. Or do I go with a different brand, I priced a Napa AGM battery and I priced an AGM battery at AutoZone that are a little cheaper than the red tops but then I would have two red tops and one different battery.  I know eventually the two old batteries will need to be replaced so whatever I get to replace the one that's dead now will be what I get replace the others as they die in the future. Has anybody had any good or bad luck with the AMG batteries at AutoZone or Napa?
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #1 –
You can't mix old with new batteries with any success. The charging system will read the voltage wrong.
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: Battery question/opinion

Reply #2 –
Some years ago one of my three Optimas went bad. After simply disconnecting the bad battery, I got along just fine on only two Optimas for about a year. I then replaced the bad Optima with a different color top Optima I had laying around, and went another 7 years with no issues.

Four years ago I finally had to replace the set. All is well. I put in another three Optimas. If I had it to do over, I'd use a single 8D AGM instead.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #3 –
Tom's U295 has a different engine that may have less power requirements for starting than the U320 M11 (somewhere I read 2200 CCA for the M11).  Start batteries (like RedTop Optimas) put out more short term amps for high loads than will a deep cycle battery.  FT used Yellowtops for a while.  These have a high current, short term capacity blended with a longer term deep cycle life to deal with all of the continuous small loads on the start batteries.  These small loads are why there are lots of smart trickle chargers in use now.

You can try two for awhile.  Be sure the unused cable ends are very well insulated and secured.  This might work for a while.  Eventually you will want to replace the set of three with new batteries.

This is what we used, Optima Batteries 8050-160 D31T YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery.  $150 more today that they were 6 years ago.

I would shop around, lots of other choices.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #4 –
I recently replaced my start batteries with Group 31 maintenance free batteries from a truck stop.  They are heavier than the Optimas and are supposed to last longer.  The best part is the price- $105 each, although you can find these batteries on sale for about $80 or less if you look around. 

Hope whatever you do works out for you................ ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
I recently replaced my start batteries with Group 31 maintenance free batteries from a truck stop.  They are heavier than the Optimas and are supposed to last longer.  The best part is the price- $105 each, although you can find these batteries on sale for about $80 or less if you look around. 
Also replaced our three 8 year plus start batteries with another three Duralast batteries but this time I went to Group 31 series like Ted did. See earlier post and photos. They weigh 60 lbs each.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #6 –
Looking at the specs they look longer, to long to fit in my battery holder. What are the advantages of the group 31 over 34 like I have???
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #7 –
Yes, they are longer and you may have to modify your battery holder. I did. CCA is a LOT more. These are commercial batteries. They have a greater distance from the plates to the bottom of the battery and the cell connectors are more HD. With batteries, it's the weight that counts. Other 31 series weighed about 55 lbs but I went for the 60 pounders. Advantages are longer cranking in freezing conditions. High winter cranking amps puts more load on the cell connectors. Never can have too many CCAs.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #8 –
Well I decided to go with a red top and went ahead and replaced all 3. Pep boys had an online deal for 25% off of an order over $100. Pretty good deal I thought and I can pick them up tomorrow at the local store
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #9 –
Be sure you clean all of your battery cable battery connections. Use a wire brush.  I like to put on an anti-corrosion something on the posts and connectors to keep them clean longer and making good contact.  Corrosion X works well.  There are electrically conductive greases available that do the same thing.  Red Tops usually have threaded studs where the cables connect.  Find out what the torque specification is and tighten them with a tourque wrench.  Double check for tightness a couple times a year.

Check all of the battery cable connections all the way back to the isolator.  A loose connection anywhere can cause problems.

If your batteries are like mine the cables go from one plus post to the next to the next and then to the coach.  Same on the minus side. The cables going from the batteries to the coach should come from opposite corners of the three battery set.  After a couple years rotate the batteries taking the battery from one end of the set and move it to the other end.  The middle battery will now be at an end position and one from the end will be in the middle.  It is not hard to do and will make all of the batteries last longer.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #10 –
I just put two of these 1125 CCA NAPA Commercial maintenance-free batteries in parallel. They start the rig in one second, even at 10 degrees F.  That's 2250 CCA's!!!

They are 31P 1125 CCA Top Post batteries, which I had to custom-fit into the OEM battery tray, but they work great!

Battery - Automotive Commercial 12 Volts Group 31P 1125 CCA Top Post BAT...
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #11 –
Tim, excellent. I keep telling everyone that it's the CCAs and if you have to use the boost switch, your starting batteries, cables, etc are below par. Winter is the great test for starting.

Our Detroit is 9 liters so it comes with three 24/34 batteries. For no extra cost and just a couple hours work, I put in three 31 series for about 3K CCA.

Imagine how fast it would start if you put them in series. :D  :D  :D
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #12 –
Nice to see a 3-battery situation correctly connected.
Carolyn and Lewis (Andy1) Anderson
1996 U270 36'

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –


Imagine how fast it would start if you put them in series. :D  :D  :D
Probably near redline
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: Battery question/opinion

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Lewis Anderson –
Nice to see a 3-battery situation correctly connected.
Lewis,
 
There are a couple of better ways.
 
Roger has expounded on one recently, about taking the positive from one end of a bank and the negative from the opposite end. Key to this method is periodically rotating the battery positions within the bank.
 
I think the best method is to use busbars with EQUAL length leads from each battery to the busbars.
 
Let me know if you want more information,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385
 

Re: Battery question/opinion

Reply #15 –
Three sets of equal length cables is likely best.  Without having to make (buy) new cables and rewire everything using the original cables and rotating the batteries is next best and in almost every case,  adequate.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN