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need new batteries

I am headed to the Foretravel factory for service and it appears I am going to need some new house batteries. I have 2 Deka 8A8D batteries and the factory is suggesting replace with Lifeline GPL-8DA. Their price is $714/ea.
I am considering putting 3 new batteries in. Are the Lifelines a good choice? If not what would you suggest? This price seems high, is there a better place to go for new batteries?
I am driving hwy 40 from California to Nag. through New Mexico to Dallas.
Is Centex Battery a good alternative?
Thanks,
Mike Preising
2002, U-270, 34'
Mike Preising
2002 U-270,34'

Re: need new batteries

Reply #1 –
Mike, there is a shop just south of Motorhomes of Texas, MOT. It is a combination hydraulics and battery shop. When I was there last fall, they had some great prices on Gel and AGM batteries. They are on the east side of the bypass only about a mile from Foretravel factory. They are also very good at testing and servicing batteries. 

$714 each sound awfully high to me.
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: need new batteries

Reply #2 –
when I was at FOT last Nov they checked mine out and found 1 dead and I was going to change it then but the price was too much so I drove down the highway a mile as Kent said and got it there. Same one only $150. cheaper. They installed and changed all my bolts etc and cleaned clamps as part of a battery service for $20.. These are the MK Gel which I finished changing to Lifeline AGM a month ago in Oregon at AMSOLAR and they charged me $599 each plus ship from Calif as they did not have 8D s in stock. Go to the other place (or call)--you will save hundreds, guaranteed.
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: need new batteries

Reply #3 –
Lifelines are what I've used in 3 RVs now. No problems with them. Had three 8D's in both Foretravels. Both were plumbed for 3 8D's.

Flooded acid batteries are cheaper but do require care and ventilation. I had them (6v Golf Cart versions) in our LazyDaze and did not like to have to take care of them. (I know, I'm picky.)

I removed the two 6v flooded batteries from our second LazyDaze and had AM Solar, http://amsolar.com/ , put two Lifeline 8D's inside under a dinette seat (plus a neat very small battery monitor plus a cut-off switch) and never had to look at them again. The former battery compartment became a nice outside storage area.

I'm not sure what, if any, battery monitoring electronics you have. But if you don't have any it's a must.

Good luck. We're just leaving Nacadoches/MOT tomorrow. This is as cheap as I've ever gotten out of this town and I want to go before word gets out. (Ooooppppssss! I might have just blown it. ;o)

Cannot praise MOT maintenance high enough. A great bunch of guys and gals.


best, paul


Quote
I am headed to the Foretravel factory for service and it appears I am going to need some new house batteries. I have 2 Deka 8A8D batteries and the factory is suggesting replace with Lifeline GPL-8DA. Their price is $714/ea. I am considering putting 3 new batteries in. Are the Lifelines a good choice? If not what would you suggest? This price seems high, is there a better place to go for new batteries? I am driving hwy 40 from California to Nag. through New Mexico to Dallas. Is Centex Battery a good alternative?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: need new batteries

Reply #4 –
Quote
Quote from Kent Speers:  "Mike, there is a shop just south of Motorhomes of Texas, MOT. It is a combination hydraulics and battery shop."

Mike: It is called "A&D Hydraulics Inc/Batteries". Their phone no. is 936-564-7760. That's the place that I have been going to for all of my vehicle battery needs for more than 20 years.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: need new batteries

Reply #5 –
What are Lifelines?  A brand?  A model?  Gel or AGM's or either?  Battery's Plus have quoted me $550 for either Gel or AGM.  Does that make one a definitive choice over the other?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: need new batteries

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Gayland Baasch –
What are Lifelines?  A brand?  A model?  Gel or AGM's or either?  Battery's Plus have quoted me $550 for either Gel or AGM.  Does that make one a definitive choice over the other?

Gayland,

Lifeline is a high-end AGM battery-- we use them on our motorhome and sailboat:  Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle Batteries

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: need new batteries

Reply #7 –
Lifeline is a brand. Used in Fighter jets I'm told. Yes, there is a difference. I'd go AGM.


best, paul


Quote
What are Lifelines? A brand? A model? Gel or AGM's or either?  Battery's Plus have quoted me $550 for either Gel or AGM. Does that make one a definitive choice over the other?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: need new batteries

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the great information.
I contacted Mark at Centex Batteries and he said he could ship 3 lifeline 8D batteries to Foretravel for $1800 including tax and shipping $600/ea. I will check with A&D.
Can A&D install the batteries. I also understand the Prosine needs to be re-configured when you change battery types or amounts. Is this procedure understood by most that install them?
Also there was a discussion about battery monitoring. Is there something else needed besides the Xantrex monitor provided in the Foretravel?
Mike Preising
2002 U-270 34'
Mike Preising
2002 U-270,34'

Re: need new batteries

Reply #9 –
Don't know about Fighter Jets, but I do know that Lifelines are sold by many airport FBO & AIRCRAFT SERVICES facilities.  Also know that they are a very highly respected battery manufacturer and very well known in the private airplane circles.

Quote from: Paul Smith –
Lifeline is a brand. Used in Fighter jets I'm told. Yes, there is a difference. I'd go AGM
best, paul

Quote
What are Lifelines? A brand? A model? Gel or AGM's or either?  Battery's Plus have quoted me $550 for either Gel or AGM. Does that make one a definitive choice over the other?

1994 U225
build #4514

Re: need new batteries

Reply #10 –
We  ended up buying 3 new Deka gel batteries from A&D for $578/ea. The Foretravel factory and David at A&D recommended the gels over the agm's saying they were more reliable.
Foretravel are using gels in all there new coaches.
Everything seems to be working well. We spent a week in Nac. getting a laundry list of minor repairs done. Everything went smooth, the factory was good to work with. We left $7000 lighter, but should be able to enjoy our coach for the next 10 years.
Mike Preising
2002, U-270, 34'
Mike Preising
2002 U-270,34'