House battery source

Topic: House battery source (Read 996 times) previous topic - next topic

House battery source

July 12, 2011, 02:31:20 pm

Just had all of the chassis/house batteries load tested while in for Pa. state inspection. Chassis batteries were fine but one of the house batteries needs to be replaced. I'm looking for a Lifeline GPL-8DL and all of my Google efforts have failed to produce a delivered price that's better than $650.00 delivered. Anyone know of a better source ? Also had one leaking front shock (Bilstein) so I'm changing fronts out to Koni FSD's ( $152.50 ea. delivered).

Re: House battery source

Reply #1 – July 12, 2011, 04:16:35 pm

You may want to consider East Penn Deka AGM 8A8D, $517 (A Battery Warehouse Nacogdoches, 936-564-7760, Beverly & David Horn, owners)

Heard these AGM batteries have a 12 month 100%, 3-year warranty.

East Penn makes many types of batteries including the popular MK Gel that so many Foretravels use.
Lifeline is a private brand that is very big on advertising, which has little to do with quality.
Deka 8D8G Gel sell for $578 and have a 12 month100%, 5-year warranty.

They just made a custom length 4/0 battery cable with soldered terminals and shrink tubing for me.

Re: House battery source

Reply #2 – July 12, 2011, 05:33:40 pm

Just a note of interest maybe, East Penn is the manufacturer of MK, Deka and most of the AGM and Gel Cell batteries, difference between them I am told is the sticker they apply to the side. Not sure at this point of all the Brand Names they sell under, but know for fact Deka and MK are two of them.
Cheers

Re: House battery source

Reply #3 – July 12, 2011, 06:08:39 pm

I was recently in an O'reilly parts store and was told that East Penn Builds their batteries, don't really have any way to verify that.
Gary B

Re: House battery source

Reply #4 – July 12, 2011, 07:25:01 pm

Hi Jon

Last Nov. I had to replace three house battery's so I did some shopping around. The best price that I could find was at Metroplex Battery Inc Dallas TX. ( East Penn Deka AGM 8A8D, for $441. ea There number is 214 956 8277 ask for Sunday Nunez

All The Best Safe Travels Karl

Re: House battery source

Reply #5 – July 12, 2011, 07:39:33 pm

I replaced the MK batteries with East Penn Deka AGM 8A8D back in 2004...still going strong. MK & Deka are one and the same.

Re: House battery source

Reply #6 – July 12, 2011, 07:41:28 pm

I spent weeks shopping around and finally changed my 3 8D gels to Lifeline 8D at 599 each at AM solar. I know they have gone up a bit but do not know how much. I checked into Lifeline and as most people know that is Concorde in Calif and they supply the US forces for many years. I have had many battery suppliers tell me they are the best around but expensive. Deka is MK mainly for solar but are supposed to be good too. I got all the tech help from each maker (even in China were a lot of our known batteries are made it seems) and the bottom line is they mostly say AGM is the way to go. Last Nov at FOT factory I saw them installed in a few new units being built and I am certain the IH45 they were building then has them in it too. I did not want to waste $1800 so I did a lot of checking out.

Re: House battery source

Reply #7 – July 14, 2011, 09:39:00 am

Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. I'm only about 30 miles from East Penn and Deka manufacturing facilities and they have a factory sales counter. No great discount pricing but factory fresh and no shipping cost. Final price was 615.00 which included 24.00 core credit and 6% Pa. sales tax. I asked if any "blem's" were available but no luck. At a battery wet weight of 161 lbs I'm glad I don't have to change these every day !

Re: House battery source

Reply #8 – July 14, 2011, 09:47:51 am

Are you saying Lifeline batteries are not up to par quality-wise?

best, paul

Quote

Lifeline is a private brand that is very big on advertising, which has little to do with quality.

Re: House battery source

Reply #9 – July 14, 2011, 10:20:11 am

Paul, it is just a personal opinion about Gel vs AGM by everybody. None of us are experts on the subject or we would not post to get ideas. I did my checking with almost all the manufacturers of thewm (and even to Germany) and got their specs then talked to Solar people. I made my decision based on what I understood from the specs. The best way would have been to go with a big bank of 6v ones that are way too tall for the compartment!
I even spoke to some Marine people on their suggestions. I felt Lifeline were at least as good as the better ones and better potential life than the rest, so that is what I bought. It is all in the "looking after them" it seems.
Other people have their favourites and that is good. I was willing to spend whatever it cost to get good ones and did not look for a bargain, just quality.
John

Re: House battery source

Reply #10 – July 14, 2011, 10:48:28 am

My question was not about Gel vs AGM.

It was whether Lifeline AGM's quality was not up to par compared to other AGM's

best, paul

Quote

Paul, it is just a personal opinion about Gel vs AGM by everybody.

Re: House battery source

Reply #11 – July 14, 2011, 12:24:24 pm

Quote from: Jon H – July 14, 2011, 09:39:00 am

Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. I'm only about 30 miles from East Penn and Deka manufacturing facilities and they have a factory sales counter. No great discount pricing but factory fresh and no shipping cost. Final price was 615.00 which included 24.00 core credit and 6% Pa. sales tax. I asked if any "blem's" were available but no luck. At a battery wet weight of 161 lbs I'm glad I don't have to change these every day !

I think that is a good price for really fresh batteries. I rented an engine hoist to change mine. You can sell the old batteries to a metal recycler.

Re: House battery source

Reply #12 – July 14, 2011, 05:41:14 pm

Core value of the 8D should be $20.00 each.

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

House battery source

July 12, 2011, 02:31:20 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #1 – July 12, 2011, 04:16:35 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #2 – July 12, 2011, 05:33:40 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #3 – July 12, 2011, 06:08:39 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #4 – July 12, 2011, 07:25:01 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #5 – July 12, 2011, 07:39:33 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #6 – July 12, 2011, 07:41:28 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #7 – July 14, 2011, 09:39:00 am

Re: House battery source

Reply #8 – July 14, 2011, 09:47:51 am

Re: House battery source

Reply #9 – July 14, 2011, 10:20:11 am

Re: House battery source

Reply #10 – July 14, 2011, 10:48:28 am

Re: House battery source

Reply #11 – July 14, 2011, 12:24:24 pm

Re: House battery source

Reply #12 – July 14, 2011, 05:41:14 pm

Affiliate Notice