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Thinking about new house batteries

I replaced the engine batteries earlier this year and realize that the house batteries are going to need to be replaced soon. No issues with them, but they were one of the first things I replaced when we got the coach in 2013.

We don't have any solar panels, but we've talked about them some. Would that make a difference in what batteries to get?

Our coach has two 8D batteries, one above the other, and neither is on any sort of slide, They have the traditional posts on one end, and when I have to disconnect the batteries that is a bit of a pain. I'm always afraid that I will either accidentally short something or that I won't get the connections tight. Yes, I take the negative cable off first and connect it last. I've seen some 8D batteries with a lug, rather than a post, but otherwise just like what we have. Would that style be a better choice? Or should I get a pair of disconnect switches (or even four, one for each terminal)?

I see quite a bit of discussion about Li batteries. Should I consider them? If so, would I have to replace the converter/chargers that I bought 10 years ago?

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #1 –
You would need a charging system with Lithium charging profile. My coach already had an inverter charger with a custom profile setting. Getting rid of the 8d batteries that weighed 155 lbs. and replacing with 46 lb. lithium with more usable amperage works great for me.
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: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #2 –
When possible, always use battery cables with lug ends. Then use "military" battery post terminals, and when they "wear out" replace military terminal even out in the field, and keep on chugging with the same cables. Also, easy to stack battery cable lug ends with a longer bolt through the military battery post terminal.

$8.99 Top Post Battery Terminals End for Marine Car Boat RV Vehicles Negative and Positive Post 2PCS

Amazon.com: Top Post Battery Terminals End for Marine Car Boat RV Vehicles...

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #3 –
I have a Xantrex SW3012 inverter/charger. 

I called Xantrex a couple of weeks ago and they said that it is just fine for charging my LiFePO4 batteries.  I can use their custom settings to set up the charge profile.  I was happy with their tech support person.  Very professional and knowledgeable.

-FT
2001 U270- 34'
with Aqua-hot
Travel Safely
Have Fun!!

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #4 –
Dave, My 1994 U300, is similar to your coach. I had to replace both of the house batteries in May of this year.  For my application I prefer to install the 8D Lead Acid (Original Equipment) type battery. I don't know if there are any Rural King farm stores near you, but I have found that they have the best price on those heavy duty batteries. My out the door price was less than $400.00 (for 2) and they gave me a discount from that because I have and used their credit card. 
Rural King - America's Farm and Home Store
Search results for: '8D battery'
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #5 –
Quote from: FtRoadTrip –
I have a Xantrex SW3012 inverter/charger. 

I called Xantrex a couple of weeks ago and they said that it is just fine for charging my LiFePO4 batteries.  I can use their custom settings to set up the charge profile.  I was happy with their tech support person.  Very professional and knowledgeable.

-FT

The same as mine, used the settings on the battery information tag in custom settings.
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: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
...use "military" battery post terminals...
Agree - "military" style connectors are the way to go.  I prefer heavy solid lead version over the lighter zinc material.

Note:  Positive (+) and Negative (-) connectors have different size holes for the battery post.  Don't bother with the red and black plastic terminal covers - they are worthless.

Amazon.com: Fastronix Military Spec Battery Connectors- Positive Terminal :...

Amazon.com: Fastronix Military Spec Battery Connectors- Negative Terminal :...


As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #7 –
I agree with Chuck on his choice of battery terminals. We only used the type on Chuck's link. I did a quick Amazon search and picked the wrong type in my previous posting. Thanks, Chuck for catching it.

BTW, we always carried spare military battery terminals to keep us rolling if there was any problem with a terminal.

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #8 –
Rural King is an amazing store.  A friend took us to one when we visited her.

Closest one to us is 1200 miles - long drive for a battery!

Do stop and look around if you drive by one.  Tractor supply times ten.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #9 –
Just went through this decision process in January. It really depends on how you use your coach and how often. If you think you might switch to a compressor fridge, 12 volt or 120, then I recommend  Lithium.

 One 300 amp hour lithium in 8d format would handle most needs if sticking with absorption fridge. Could add a second the next year if your situation warrants it. Crossing the lithium divide means replacing isolator with B2B charger +$250. You can also find 200 and 400 amp hour batteries that fit the 8d form factor.

Just discovered that with enough shade, rain and people in coach that a generator still comes in handy. We managed to consume more than we made for several days in a row last week but in general very happy we switched. We've been off grid nine weeks since Jan 1.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #10 –
We also needed batteries this year for our new to us U295.  Our U240 has 2 8D AGM's from O'reilly's that are still going strong after 7.5 years (not many cycles).  They are still priced below $500 and I very seriously considered getting them but ended up getting 2 Amperetime 300Ah Lithiums. 
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #11 –
Lithium's are not worth it as far as I'm concerned. I'm very happy with my AGM's.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #12 –
It depends completely on where and how you use your coach. 
  8Ds might be fine if your usually in a sunny area with lots of solar and don't use a lot of amps hrs after dark. 
  We aren't always in nice areas and I like to let my DW turn on whatever and whenever she pleases.    And we're often up late using up those amp hrs. 

  It's like my solar install tech said.... "Too much is just right".    We've never regretted our lithium investment either.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #13 –
I'm planning on replacing my 8 year old AGMS with 2 300 amp hour lithiums, B2B charger, and stand alone 110v charger, and new 2500w PS inverter only. And maybe one more 435 watt solar panel.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #14 –
If you decide to go with lithium, you don't necessarily have to make a lot of other changes initially. If your charger doesn't have custom or lithium settings, a generic AGM setting will probably work (it will with Battle Born). You will have to change to a battery to battery charger or a battery isolation manager. Later you can change to a charger with a dedicated lithium setting and add solar if you want.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #15 –
Yep lots of ways to skin the cat, without breaking the bank. Got to remember these are 22-24 year old antiques 😎👍
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #16 –
Quote from: dbennett9 –
If you decide to go with lithium, you don't necessarily have to make a lot of other changes initially. If your charger doesn't have custom or lithium settings, a generic AGM setting will probably work (it will with Battle Born). You will have to change to a battery to battery charger or a battery isolation manager. Later you can change to a charger with a dedicated lithium setting and add solar if you want.


  Look into lithionics "Automatic combiner relay controller".  They are designed to charge the engine batts also. And use multiple alternators if necessary.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #17 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
I replaced the engine batteries earlier this year and realize that the house batteries are going to need to be replaced soon. No issues with them, but they were one of the first things I replaced when we got the coach in 2013.

We don't have any solar panels, but we've talked about them some. Would that make a difference in what batteries to get?

Our coach has two 8D batteries, one above the other, and neither is on any sort of slide, They have the traditional posts on one end, and when I have to disconnect the batteries that is a bit of a pain. I'm always afraid that I will either accidentally short something or that I won't get the connections tight. Yes, I take the negative cable off first and connect it last. I've seen some 8D batteries with a lug, rather than a post, but otherwise just like what we have. Would that style be a better choice? Or should I get a pair of disconnect switches (or even four, one for each terminal)?

I see quite a bit of discussion about Li batteries. Should I consider them? If so, would I have to replace the converter/chargers that I bought 10 years ago?

I have been a battery engineer for >40yrs. Avoid Lithium Batteries for now, the cost to energy storage ratio is far higher than lead acid batteries. Lead Acid batteries are recyclable, Lithiums are not. Lithium battery production is wholly dependent upon materials sourced from China. So if you want to support USA and not China, you know what to do. :)
 

Re: Thinking about new house batteries

Reply #18 –
As to mini slits here is my on going project, put the compressor unit in the curb side storage bay and used louver parts from Foretravel to make the vents ran the line set up threw the water manifold bay and up threw the upper cabinets to the front off the couch, still have a fair amount of tiding up to do but it is getting there it keeps the front of the coach very comfortable but has trouble getting past the bathroom door, thinking of put a low profile bathroom vent fan in the front AC ceiling opening and forcing the air to the back so I can get the return air to the front, real estate used in the storage bay about 36x40" will post the refinements as they happen 
1999 36 ft U270
Build 5465