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Re: Need Batteries

Reply #25 –
71stpside, I'm pretty sure he put Lifeline AGMs in about 2-3 years ago.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #26 –
I emailed him yesterday and he said batteries are from O'Reilly's. The coach is at MOT. So I have no idea what type, but do know they are Super Start. They might be AGM? I saw caps on them and thought flooded. They were installed October 2017. Waiting for Keith to test them and see if they are ok.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #27 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Cheap as chips:
Three wet 8D's from Napa, made by  Deka
Sat my original heart converter/charger at 13.05 float max, no issues

Haven't had to add water yet, they have been installed all summer, being used regularly to dry camp.
Been in 100+ degree temps
Rarely run the gen set. Has 800 hrs on it.

Totally happy with them
Just my 2 cents
Chris

In our previous rig, dry camping for 4 years we used 6 DEKA 6V batteries and a PD 9620 to keep them topped up.  We found they needed to be watered every 6 months.  The PD 9620 is has voltages fixed at 14.4 Bulk Charge, 13.6 Absorption Charge and 13.2 for Float.  Once a day the fixed program boosted the charge voltage up to 14.4 for 15 minutes to stir the electrolyte.

Our U225 came with a PD 9160 running 13.6V steady and I added the outboard charge controller to achieve the same functionality as the 9260.

I'm thinking of adding another PD 9260 just for the chassis battery, a flooded cell 8D, partly because I'm a belt and suspenders sort of guy and like the idea of having 60A available just in case the engine driven alternator goes belly up.
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: Need Batteries

Reply #28 –
I wouldn't use flooded batteries. My Lifeline AGMs.

Flooded need maintenance, are messy, and the terminals corrode.
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: Need Batteries

Reply #29 –
Both of Oreillys Superstart (most of their batteries are called superstart, it is just their trademark) 8d batteries have caps, atm and wet cell.  The way to tell the difference is that the agm 8d made by East Penn has a grey case with a black top.  The wetcell is entirely black.

Quote from: 71stpsde –
I emailed him yesterday and he said batteries are from O'Reilly's. The coach is at MOT. So I have no idea what type, but do know they are Super Start. They might be AGM? I saw caps on them and thought flooded. They were installed October 2017. Waiting for Keith to test them and see if they are ok.

Mike
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: Need Batteries

Reply #30 –
Quote from: 71stpsde –
I emailed him yesterday and he said batteries are from O'Reilly's. The coach is at MOT. So I have no idea what type, but do know they are Super Start. They might be AGM? I saw caps on them and thought flooded. They were installed October 2017. Waiting for Keith to test them and see if they are ok.

Mike

Mike, AGM's have caps also, but I am pretty sure when we were considering Barry's coach, those were AGM in his coach.  I am also interested in going solar eventually, just not sure I want to spend the money for lithiums, however, they are starting to come down in price as more vendors get into this technology.  I have had good luck with gels in the past and will most likely keep them when we upgrade to solar, until needing replacement.  We also don't have the Prosine anymore, it was upgraded to the Xantrax.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #31 –
He just emailed and said they are AGM's. So need to find out if they are not charging or what. Waiting for word from MOT. Don't know if they didn't have it plugged in and the batteries got discharged? It's need to be plugged in with the residential fridge.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #32 –
Mike, with a residential refrig your daily power usage is somewhere around 3000 watts, maybe more.  That is going to be about 240 amp hrs per day at 12.5 volts.  A good rule of thumb practice for AGM batteries is to try to stay at 70% SOC or higher to maximize life cycles.  That means you need at least 800 amp hrs of battery capacity.  3 8Ds in the best of shape might be 750 amp hrs.  Increasing battery capacity no matter what batteries you use would be prudent.  If the LP tank is gone you probably have room for 6 L16 sized 6 volt batteries, 1245 amp hrs.  4 would be an easy fit and give you 830 amp hrs.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #33 –
Barry put in 4 8D AGM batteries at 250ah each. I think the problem might be that MOT hasn't had the coach plugged in. When I was in it 3 weeks ago, the digital gauge on the dash said 13.6 volts. The problem is I'm not at the coach. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon.  Keith said he would check the batteries and the charger.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #34 –
Just got a text message from James and the batteries are good to go. They charged them overnight. I guess the coach wasn't hooked up. I told him to keep it hooked up. One thing I don't have to worry about.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #35 –
Quote from: joeszeidel –
I agree with Chris. And I like to keep things simple. Wether you buy batteries at Napa or Orlieys  doesn't matter. If your old batteries lasted that long then new ones should last just as long. Why spend money on items needed for new age batteries. To me it doesn't make could sense. But everybody has there opinion.

I wasn't putting anyone down for wanting to do these huge expensive battery, inverter/ charger upgrades. I just can't personally justify dumping that kind of money into a 15-20 year old coach, when all the original stuff works pretty darn good. Just showing there are alternatives that work good.

I agree with Joeszeidel, sometimes simple is better.

Might as well buy a big dollar razoo coach, with all the blue tooth,whistles and bells. I guess I am old school.

But I have a saying about Hot Rods and custom cars, when other people put someone's down. It's their car and they like it, so I like it.

BTW, Napa,East Penn and Deka, are made by the same company. There are very few battery companies in the USA. I believe 2 or 3. Don't quote me.

Cheers
Chris

Napa 8D
Specifications
Battery Terminal Type   T904
Battery Type   Wet
BCI Group Size   BCI No. 8D
Cold Cranking Amperage   1400 A
Contents   (1) Battery Assembly
Cranking Amperage   1720 A
Height   10 in
Length   20.75 in
Manufacturer   East Penn Mfg., Co.
Manufacturer Part Number   908D/T904
Negative Terminal Location   Side Left
Positive Terminal Location   Right
Reserve Capacity   430 min
UNSPSC   26111710
VMRS Code   32001001
Voltage   12 V
Weight   130 lbs
Wet or Dry   Wet
Width   11 in

24 month warranty
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #36 –
Quote from: gracerace –

But I have a saying about Hot Rods and custom cars, when other people put someone's down. It's their car and they like it, so I like it.

BTW, Napa,East Penn and Deka, are made by the same company. There are very few battery companies in the USA. I believe 2 or 3. Don't quote me.

Cheers
Chris
As I replace and upgrade by batteries, I've chosen, after my reading, Interstate because Interstate is upfront with their numbers.

As far as people and their cars, years ago we used to attend a Wednesday night car cruise in Worcester, MA and one night we took the Challenger.  The guy next to us raised a stink because "I put $7,500 into my duster and you let that rat park next to me!"
I said "I'm sorry."  He said "You should be."  I said "No, I'm sorry you put $7,500 into that Duster and all you have is a Duster."
Management asked us to leave.  Most everyone else recognized Lynn's car, a 1 of 7 Dodge Challenger 440 6-Pack R/T Convertible, a Chrysler Corp. dealer promotional model that was all original including it's burnt California interior.
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: Need Batteries

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
As I replace and upgrade by batteries, I've chosen, after my reading, Interstate because Interstate is upfront with their numbers.

As far as people and their cars, years ago we used to attend a Wednesday night car cruise in Worcester, MA and one night we took the Challenger.  The guy next to us raised a stink because "I put $7,500 into my duster and you let that rat park next to me!"
I said "I'm sorry."  He said "You should be."  I said "No, I'm sorry you put $7,500 into that Duster and all you have is a Duster."
Management asked us to leave.  Most everyone else recognized Lynn's car, a 1 of 7 Dodge Challenger 440 6-Pack R/T Convertible, a Chrysler Corp. dealer promotional model that was all original including it's burnt California interior.

Interstates are made by Johnson Control who bought them out. I could not find Interstate 8D's in production, only 4D's. The ones I found were old stock.Napa's had great reviews.I do/did like Interstates.

The Interstates at Costco (while good), are NOT the same interstates you get at a Interstate dealer. My wife works for Costco, ask any Interstate dealer. Better yet, pick each one of them up. Proof will be in the weight.

Have 25K just in our Dusters engine. Feel free to park next to me anytime, or better yet, pull up next to me at any stop light!  ;D

Cheers


Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348
 

Re: Need Batteries

Reply #38 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Interstates are made by Johnson Control who bought them out. I could not find Interstate 8D's in production, only 4D's. The ones I found were old stock.Napa's had great reviews.I do/did like Interstates.

Cheers


I'll pick my next and last battery up at the local Interstate distributor.  That'll bring me up to snuff for now.
Right now the Siata project is dragging on longer than I expected, but the end is in sight.

Knowing that the battery was manufacturer by East Penn of Johnson is only part of the equation.  To whose specification the battery was manufactured is the other.  I hate buying batteries.
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.