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Topic: Replacement House Batteries  (Read 1463 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacement House Batteries

Are there satisfactory replacement house batteries  other than Deka 1425 cca existing batteies for 99 320?  Deka very expensive

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #1 –
Might be the time to consider LiPo (lithium) that is what I did with my '99 320
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: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #2 –
Well those DEKA's are flooded batteries and are only around $350 each.  If you find that extroidinary expensive you may want to rethink your expense outlay for your coach repairs for each year.  Most people go at least to an AGM battery but more go with Lithiums now days.  There are too numerous to count threads on batteries both chasis and coach.  Just search batteries.  You may want to fill out your data profile on you and your coach for more targeted help.
Jerre and Kathy Griffin
2003 U320 4220 Special
Build # 6207
2022 RAM Laramie 4X4 EcoDiesel
2002 Country Coach Magna 37 Tag- Forever Coach-Died in fire 7/23
1997 Country Coach 32 Intrigue-No slides-Wonderful

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #3 –
What actual size are those batteries? Possible mis application! Why would CCA even be mentioned for house batteries?
 
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #4 –
I thought the same thing.  The 1425's are 8D so they wouldnt work for chasis on a U320.
Jerre and Kathy Griffin
2003 U320 4220 Special
Build # 6207
2022 RAM Laramie 4X4 EcoDiesel
2002 Country Coach Magna 37 Tag- Forever Coach-Died in fire 7/23
1997 Country Coach 32 Intrigue-No slides-Wonderful

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #6 –
OEM on a 99 U320 (and many other year U320s) would have been MK gel 8D's.

At minimum, many have gone to AGM instead of gel, since its charging profile matches the engine batteries more closely (especially if they are the same as the OEM Optimas).  The inverter charge profile for an MK gel will not fully charge an AGM or flooded chassis battery if one is using a Trik-L-Start or infrequent boost switch to charge up the chassis batteries. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #7 –
If you maintain your house batteries an AGM will last many, many years. Ours are 16 years old and working fine. I replaced the conventional engine batteries once since we bought the coach in '08. I don't check water level as one of our maintenance free engine batteries has a label on the battery to not remove the cell covers. NAPA voids the warranty if the cell covers have been removed for any reason on their maintenance free batteries. The times that I have checked the batteries in the past, the electrolyte was full.

I've only used the boost switch once to help start the coach, otherwise, never.

Pierce

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

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #8 –
AGM's are fine, just keep them charged with a smart charger. I
Mine are 4 years old and fine
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #9 –
My Lifeline AGMs are 8+ years now.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #10 –

The group 8D battery is a common size.  They are available in many variations, engine starting, Seep cycle, combination, AGM, Gell and of now lithium variants. The better batteries such as Lifeline tend to be expensive. Lithium's are becoming extremely competitive. 300 A/H seems to be a sweet spot for them price wise.
There is a lot of talk about them needing special equipment or chargers for use. Reality is that with the BMS systems now used in most of them they really do not need anything special and they work well being at any reasonable state of charge long term. They are much more efficient accepting charge current.

If you don't need freeze protection or operation, consider dropping 2 of these.

Amazon.com: LiTime 12V 300Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Battery, Built-in 200A BMS, Max...

If you need more detail or have other concerns such as alternator compatibility let me know.

Dennis

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148
 

Re: Replacement House Batteries

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Michelle –
At minimum, many have gone to AGM instead of gel, since its charging profile matches the engine batteries more closely (especially if they are the same as the OEM Optimas).  The inverter charge profile for an MK gel will not fully charge an AGM or flooded chassis battery if one is using a Trik-L-Start or infrequent boost switch to charge up the chassis batteries.
Michelle has a good point. As many have seen, I just run a jumper from dash lighter plug to side panel plug to keep both AGM and maintenance free conventional banks charged to the same voltage. The Progressive Dynamics converter/charger keeps the voltages just about exactly as they advertise, 13.2 volts and the twin voltmeters where the tiny CRT was and gives an instant comparison at a glance. I could just make a small jumper down in the main 12V bus but this is more convenient.  I remove the jumper before cranking the engine.

If we are at a campsite, the solar keeps the engine battery charges as the jumper is plugged in again.

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