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Topic: Delco 8D battery ? (Read 1251 times) previous topic - next topic

Delco 8D battery ?

I have 3 Interstate 8D batteries in our 1991 U280 and the two house batteries have been in since we bought the unit 3 years ago. The house batteries never had the date punched so I have no idea how old they are, but the have served us well although we have never really boondocked so to speak. The start battery, if I remember from looking at it yeaterday was punched in 2008 and at the time I requested and recieved a new dated battery. The newer start battery took a major dump this last year with what I believe was my burning it out from charging it wrong. Now we have a Trik-L-start and I am hoping to leave it  plugged in when not in use and having it be perfectly charged and maintained. I know from past reading that it's been posted about Interstate batteries not being the best out there and at this time I may not be looking for best, but rather decent. I also looked at Sam's today and was a bit shocked to see that their brand was "Energizer"...Sorry but there is NO WAY I'm buying an "Energizer" brand battery for anything with wheels and a motor. That brings me to my neighbor who works for our county, he told me that if I ever needed anything for the coach to ask him forst. So, today I called him about a 1400 cca battery and he calles back to tell me that he can get a Delco 8D 1300 cca for 161+tx. So, does anyone believe that this would be a decent battery and last for a few years with the Trik-L-start now in place?

Many thanks
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #1 –
Carl, I may be one of the few that thinks Lead Acid batteries are just fine. I have used Interstate batteries from Sam's with very good success. My U225 had both an 8D and a 4D as a backup house battery. I never used both at the same time. I had two Interstate Lead Acid batteries for starting the 5.9 Cummins. I am considering going back to lead acid batteries on my current coach when my AGM's go bad.

With all of that said I think the most important thing is to have an "Intelligent" Charger/Converter/Inverter. No matter what batteries you use, the intelligent chargers extend the life of the batteries dramatically if programmed properly. I purchased an Iota 90 amp charger for under $200 for my U225 as recommended by Best Converters. It worked great.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #2 –
Thanks for the info Kent. I would have bougtht another Interstate had Sam's carried them. We aren't looking to convert to AGM's at this time and most likely, not with this coach.
When you mention the "Intelligent" Charger/Converter/Inverter.", I think our Trik-L-start serves the same purpose along with the "chip" I bought for our Converter/Inverter....I think :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #3 –
Carl, did you ask Sam's about an Interstate? I have seen them there. Of course I don't think you could go wrong with AC Delco and the price is about the same.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #4 –
If you are depending on the brand name to keep you safe, forget it.
It is VERY hard to determine who ACTUALLY makes any brand of battery anymore.
It was rumored that AC/Delco was sold to Johnson Controls.
Almost everything is brand named and produced elsewhere.
Most batteries are mystery boxes powered by hype.
I suggest that you do your research on several brands of 8D batteries and go by the weight of the battery.
The ones with the heavier weight will be the better battery.
I would shoot for 135 pounds or more on a flooded 8D.
Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #5 –
Jon,
Does the weight test hold true for AGMs?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #6 –
Kent, No...I didn't think to ask about the Interstate at Sam's as all they happenedto have out was the Energizer's. I would have thought if they had them, they would have had something out that would have indicated. I know they had they a few years ago though. John, thank for that info, I did check the current battery weight online and it shows that it weighs 130lbs, so I'm in the ball park you mentioned.

Ok, here's another question, the battery I have now is dated Aug. 2008. I've heard someone mention someplace that Interstate doesn't stand behind their warranty very well. The battery my neighbor can get is 1300 CA... NOT 1300 CCA. From what I could tell from online info, that battery is 1150CCA and I don't really want to drop that much since having the higher number.
Does anyone know what kind of mess I may get into with my local dealer about the warranty or does anyone know what that warranty would be for the 8D-MHD 1400 workaholic?

All I found online was jibberish and nothing indicates on the battery either.

I'm just not sure what to do, but I know I don't want the AC Delco due to it's lesser size.

Thanks in advance
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #7 –
Carl,

FWIW our Interstate AGMs weigh 161 pounds each.  I am not sure which brand of battery for which you checked the battery weight,  but if it was Interstate, this adds credence to what Jon said about it being difficult to tell who really manufactured a given brand of battery.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #8 –
George, I checked the same battery I currently have, a non AGM battery. I'm not ready to convert yet :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #9 –
Carl,

I took the path of least resistance.  I really didn't want to have to try to maintain water levels in the batteries inside of our coach.  When we bought Interstate, we had a tiny window of time and the only place we could find willing to deal with the monster size of the 8d was a local Interstate dealer.  I'd go back to him anytime.  He built all new cables for us at no charge.  Now almost 2 years later, we have had no problems and the connections look like the day they were made.

But, having said that I agree with Kent that lead acid batteries will do just fine if maintained correctly.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #10 –
That's awesome George!! I would go that route too but this isn't a good time for upgraded batteries AND new tires. My wife just had back surgery, I had RAI treatment today and pay out of pocket insurance along with being the only one who works. WAY to many bills right now and I haven't been able to work since January with having a 4 part surgery and finding out I have had Graves Disease since then also. So....it will be regular batteries this go around. Plus, I don't mind topping off fluid levels, it gives me a reason to walk across the yard and spend time with my other girl in the midst of winter. Come to think of it....I STILL have snow in my yard :)

BUT.....SOMEDAY :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #11 –
Carl, I have had extremely good luck with Interstate standing behind their batteries. Maybe it just depends on the local store.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #12 –
I'm gonna call him tomorrow Kent. He seems to be a nice enough guy and ordered a battery just for me with current dates at the time. I just didn't know if anyone knew for sure what the warranty SHOULD be before I go in there and have him say, the warranty JUST ended such n such ago. I'll find out tomorrow...stay tuned :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Carl, I have had extremely good luck with Interstate standing behind their batteries. Maybe it just depends on the local store.

The Interstate dealer we bought from has two stores and I have dealt with him for at least five years during which time I would buy "blems" for our cars and was always happy with the service life for a $10 battery.

When the dealer found out that the 8d batteries shipped to him for our order had both terminals on one end of the battery instead of the configuration of the batteries he was going to replace, he had his brother make all new cables.  There was no change in price. 

I think good service is all about a merchant's pride in running a good business in a way that makes customers want to come back.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #14 –
OK!! Well, I just got off the phone with my local Interstate dealer. I let him know the date on the the battery ( the punched date ) He tells me that he's not real good at looking up warranty deals because he just don't get any returns...especially for 8D's. So, then he says that that Interstate suggests $6.50 each month and now that I'm 4 months shy of the warranty end, it would mean that $208 is gone. I think I paid $200 for it the years back...or something close. So he tells me that it retails for $233 +tx and he could sell it for $200 out the door. He just called back and asked if I could bring the bad one to him before the new one arrives this coming Monday so he could lay a sob story on the delivery man. I don't know if he did get a deal, would he share that with me... He is a nice guy though. So, either way, I need a battery and now having thew Trik-L-start and the new attachment chip for my inverter/charger, the new one should last.....I hope!

At least I know I'm getting the CCA I had before and not going down like my neighbor was offering with the Delco.
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #15 –
Carl,
I tend to trust people. I'd go for the sob story and a slightly better deal. If you are willing to pay $200 out the door, what is there to lose? Either way you know you won't pay more and you might pay less. Or did I not understand the deal?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #16 –
No, that's the deal George and I feel good about it, so we will see if things are less and if not....I'll be well prepared for the new one :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Delco 8D battery ?

Reply #17 –
When I recently replaced one of my 8D batteries, the Republic Battery salesman told me that he very rarely gets the old batteries since they are worth so much as scrap.  I think he said an 8D was fetching $35.00 at the scrap yard.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP