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Topic: Replacing Coach Batteries (Read 2888 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #25 –
Quote from: RvTrvlr –

I'll start by saying for those who dont know, a typical 12v car battery, no matter what size, 8d or the small battery starting a motorcycle is made up of 6 individual cells that produce 2 volts each. The main difference is the size of each cell which gives you more amp hours. Every 12v battery is 6 cells in series.

By using 6x 2v batteries, you eliminate all the complexity of bus bars, equal length wiring and only have simple, short interconnects. You also eliminate any chance of the series-parallel arrangement resulting in unbalanced charging or discharge, which always happens despite your best efforts to make everything equal.

A series arrangement is preferable to a series-parallel setup. Of course this only applies to an installation of six new L16's. if you only have room for four, you need the 6v version. If you want any number other than 6,12,18... you need the 6v version. When I need new house batteries a string of 6x2v is my main choice, unless I go with Lithium. But that introduces a whole new realm of issues.
Excellent idea. Every wire between batteries  can be exactly the same length. Never looked at it that way.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #26 –
The only possible argument I can think of is if one of the 2 volt batteries should fail down the road, you can't just pull it out as you will no longer have 12V but 10V. If you use 6 volt batteries and one fails, you can remove it along with one other and still have 12V only having lost one third of the house capacity.

We have six 12V AGMs and none have failed in 8 plus years. The wiring is probably not the perfect to take advantage of each one but they work well. Keeping fingers crossed.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #27 –
I sort of see why this might be OK but even with perfectly matched (resistance, wire length plus two lug connections) for all 5 interconnect cables you can still have variation in internal resistance in each battery.  You are going to put 12 v (nominal) across all six in series.  It seems more problematic to me than having 3 pairs of 6v batteries where interconnect cables are less critical and each of the three pair sees an equal 12v (nominal) charge potential.

Weight will be about the same, cost about the same.  One bad battery in 6-2v and you are dead in the water.  One bad battery in three pairs of 2-6v and you just loose some capacity. 

I will have to think about this a bit but the risk aversion in me leans toward the 6v solution.  In my coach I did four L16 6v  on the Passengers side for 830 amp hr capacity.  Less space used than 2 8Ds, less weight, more capacity than three 8Ds.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #28 –
I installed six Lifeline GPL-4CT-2volt batteries over eight years ago and have been thoroughly pleased with them.  They were a lot easier to handle than the 3 old 8D's.  The six batteries equate to one very large 12 volt battery. 

Richard
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #29 –
I like the idea of 2 volt batteries, remote teleco stations used them for years. You can find the AGM,s up to 1200 amphours. Super quality Rolls ,Surette, Lifeline. They had a 20 year life in teleco standby systems, so might be some 'gently used" ones out there. I usually buy good quality batteries and have seen capacity fall off, but never had one whole cell go bad, worth a chance.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #31 –
Good find and good price unfortunately the specs don't appear to be correct.  11.1V ?  max charge voltage 12.5 ?  Only 1 year warranty?
If it were a LiFePO4 battery chemistry that would be a great price, almost 1/2 of Battle Born or other drop-in batteries.  But don't appear to be available in the good ole' US of A.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #32 –
Quote from: folivier –
Good find and good price unfortunately the specs don't appear to be correct.  11.1V ?  max charge voltage 12.5 ?  Only 1 year warranty?
If it were a LiFePO4 battery chemistry that would be a great price, almost 1/2 of Battle Born or other drop-in batteries.  But don't appear to be available in the good ole' US of A.

GASAX ENERGY LI-FE-PO4 BATTERIES

I put in my address and it is free shipping

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #34 –
8 in stock , condition used
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #35 –
I asked about charging these batteries mentioned in #33, here is what they said ...

"Hi, thanks for contacting us.
there are various way to charge this battery.
1) The battery charger (it is included 10A)
2) Solar panels/wind turbines
3) the alternator of the motor
You should check the charging voltage, that is 14.0V-14.8V.

If you charge with the alternator, this is not the appropriate battery, it has a low discharge current. This battery generally is charged with solar panels or the charger. It is for standalone application.

Contact us for any information! We offer now the best price, free-shipping duty-free-

Kind regards,
Gabriele (Gasax_Energy_Lithium_Battery_Store at Bonanza - Batteries & C...)"

What does this mean?

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #36 –
At the prices they are charging, it could be a great product but I would NEVER drop that kind of coin when a Battle Born lithium pack is similarly priced with a known history, online user reviews and a reputable company backing things up.

That answer you got is clearly bad english from a chinese company rep, suspiciously short on relevant tech specs and I just don't trust anything coming out of china to be accurately described, well built or for the company to stand behind it when the communication is so bad. If it was much cheaper, I might try, but for that price, Battle Born wins.

Ive been looking for a wrecked Tesla, Fiat 500E, Smart ED or as a last resort, Nissan Leaf to use the pack for a lithium house bank. Could probably sell the rest of the car parts to make it free to boot. It wont happen anytime soon as my 8D's have at least a few more years of good life, but it'll happen at some point.
95 U300SE

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #37 –
Shows Qty 8 on hand and condition "used"
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #38 –
A motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight (less than $100), might do the job.  I used them to lift the radiator into place and is very maneuverable.  Referring to the attached photo, the long handle is not used for cranking (only maneuvering and pulling), so can be removed before putting into the compartment.  It will easily handle the weight and would be easier to push into place.  I'm not familiar with the floor mounted obstacles (frame), but you could decide if this is practical.   
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #39 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
A motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight (less than $100), might do the job.  I used them to lift the radiator into place and is very maneuverable.  Referring to the attached photo, the long handle is not used for cranking (only maneuvering and pulling), so can be removed before putting into the compartment.  It will easily handle the weight and would be easier to push into place.  I'm not familiar with the floor mounted obstacles (frame), but you could decide if this is practical.
That's exactly  what I used to put mine in the other day.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #40 –
Quote from: RvTrvlr –
Keep in mind with 6 L16's you should go with the 2v versions. This eliminates balancing and paralleling issues entirely and maximizes capacity.
 

Here is what Lifeline says about a string of 2 volt batteries.
"As long as the total voltage and capacity of the bank is equivalent, it doesn't make a lot of difference which voltage is selected for the building block. To minimize the number of parallel connections in higher capacity banks, it is sometimes preferable to use 2V or 6V batteries instead of 12V batteries. However, having just one string of 2V or 6V batteries may not be the best choice because a single point failure in that string would take down the entire bank."



Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #41 –
Just purchased the Harbor Freight motorcycle lift for $69.99 coupon code 85911545 good till the end of the month.  O'Reilly batteries on order.
Tom and Linda
1995 U280SE #4636
 

Re: Replacing Coach Batteries

Reply #42 –
Great for removing the fuel tank to replace fuel lines also.
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