Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL? (Read 699 times) previous topic - next topic

STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Shared album - mark hubbard - Google Photos


In Tractor Supply Store in my area. Stumbled upon this deal in batteries.  I need advise, as I dont know from memory.  I am looking at buying the 4-6V batteries 2 to make 12volt. 1000 cca. Want to use as start batteries. They are not deep cycle, which is fine with me.

Some one advise please.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #1 –
I would choose two of these T-34DT, $63.99, for start batteries from the same store, giving you a combined 1,600 cold cranking amps.  It appears they have on sale all their batteries with 2018 build dates.  I would check their voltage before buying to see they are ok. They still have two year free replacement warranty.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #2 –
Purchased the 6 volt ones 5/19. Date.
They didnt have that model on sale at my store. Almost purchased  a 12 volt. But date was June 2018. Too old I felt.
Shouldn't the 6 volt work in series?
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #3 –

Best of luck Texhub. 

For others looking to save a few bucks, these AGMs on Amazon appear to be a good value, with free delivery to your door.  Your old cores can then be sold locally.

For me, paying this little bit extra for AGM Group 34 is and was worth it. Since I purchased my FT in 2017 I replaced the worn out start batteries with two group 34 Exide AGM similar to these.

I have 1,540 cold cranking amps for my 8.3 with these two combined AGMs at a total cost of $240.

From my previous post: "I too was looking at replacing my two Group 34 batteries.  I wanted to go to AGM.  I ended up going cheap, when our local Bi Mart store put Exide group 34, FP-AGM34, on sale for $120 each and they have a free 48 month replacement and jump-start warranty.  Their price today (12-10-2017) is $139.99 in this emplyee owned Oregon store.  I  The CCA are 770 or 1540 for two.  I was greatly influenced by the combination of the price, the warranty, and a quality retail BiMart store is only a few blocks from my house."

The green Interstate wet cell batteries are what I replaced with the Exide AGMs.  The negative combiner cable I had made at a local battery shop when I installed the negative ground cutoff.

The current Exide AGM Group 34 is called the Marathon Max AGM.  $161 each.

Exide® MX34 - Marathon Max™ AGM Battery

DieHard 38232 Advanced Gold AGM Battery - Group 34 Amazon.com: DieHard 38232 Advanced Gold AGM Battery - Group 34: Automotive

ACDelco 34AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 34 Battery Amazon.com: ACDelco 34AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 34 Battery:... 

Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery Amazon.com: Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery: Automotive

Odyssey  Performance Series
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ody-34-790?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzdLrBRBiEiwAEHrAYjebROU8OL15MN6EFyr9tBLk5gc1lT4VSYZ5K1akg3Z9FZvajCdxmBoCnpIQAvD_BwE

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #4 –
Well - I am not an expert but I'm pretty sure you can put them in series and parallel.

I dug this up on the internet.

Connecting Batteries in Series and Parallel.

Below you will see examples of connecting Batteries in Series and Parallel. The purpose of connecting your batteries in Series and Parallel is pertinent when you are wanting to get a specific voltage when only having a different voltage battery to begin with, also to up the amp-hours at the same time to equip your battery bank with more storage capacity.

- (4) 6 volt batteries connected in series and parallel to form 12 volts 440 amp hours.

4 Batteries connected in Series and Parallel 6 volt
There are many voltage configurations you can put your battery bank in but the most common for solar and wind are 12,24,and 48 volts. Most inverters, and charge controllers come in these voltages. Hopefully these examples will give you some insight and knowledge into setting up your own battery bank.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Texhub –
Purchased the 6 volt ones 5/19. Date.

Shouldn't the 6 volt work in series?

6+6=12 so yes. 
This Monday past, with the probability of the hurricane impacting us decreasing we took a 150 mile round trip drive to purchase a pair of used, December 2018 Interstate 4D XHD batteries.  We did lots of comparison shopping and we came to the conclusion that it was less expensive to purchase the 8D batteries in the flooded cell variant.  Experience has taught us that with modern constant voltage battery chargers we only need to water our batteries twice a year.  The big question was if we could maneuver a 100# battery into the battery compartment.
So we now have adequate power, much more so than the group 24 that came with the Grand Villa.  Although my blood pressure didn't need to hear "These were the batteries that were in here when I bought it."

The game plan is to purchase a new Interstate 8D for the engine next month and parallel the used 4D batteries for house use.

What if it had all come a crapper? At NAPA, the core charge for an 4D battery is $54 so all would not be lost and the BCI Group 24 battery is a perfect fit for the 850cc Siata.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: pibutler –
There are many voltage configurations you can put your battery bank in but the most common for solar and wind are 12,24,and 48 volts. Most inverters, and charge controllers come in these voltages. Hopefully these examples will give you some insight and knowledge into setting up your own battery bank.
Don't confuse the house battery voltage with the solar panel/wind generator voltage. Our Midnite 150 controller will take any roof panel or wind generator voltage up to 150 volts and convert it to 12V (14V+ when charging) battery voltage. In most cases and with most Foretravels, the house battery voltage is 12 volts as then it can be easily combined with the engine batteries to provide additional starting CCAs with the boost solenoid and utilize all of the house battery capacity for starting the coach in an emergency or when the weather is sub freezing. The house batteries at 12V can also be used for all the 12V lighting and other accessories.

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

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #7 –
Thank you all for input. I have been watching the resident guru on Utube about solar, tesla, and 12, 24, 48 systems. I really like the 48 system. Just use a 48 to 12 for all 12 usage. But! I am in learning mode. The opportunity to purchase these 6 volt batteries at the price point for start only was my goal. At my store there were no deep cycle batteries. I think in was lucky with 5/19 date on batteries. In series they will provide me 12 volts at 1000 cca.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #8 –
I also thought about running 48 volt bank, but in my case would had to have a 48 to 12 volt converter that would handle all 12 volt loads. With 12 volt air compressor and 12 volt hyd pump, would need at least 75 amps. For that size, special order and around $1000. Decided to stick with an all 12 volt system. And that 75 amps would not have helped much if I needed an assist to start the coach.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #9 –
Odyssey-31-PC2150S-Heavy-Commercial-Battery

800 bucks will get you 2300 CCA and over 400 cycles at 80% DOD. Might go with those next time unless I build my own LiFepo4 battery  for the start battery. But would have to work the alternator controller to work with lithium. These no issue.
Hope my Optima's continue to crank the M11 for now but I did some damage to them so who knows.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired
 

Re: STARTER BATTERY ?? DEAL?

Reply #10 –
Lead-acid batteries need to be stored at 100% capacity. That's 12.8 to 13.6 Volts. (Half that for 6 volt batteries). Any more or less and you have a degraded battery.
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.