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House Battery Replacement.

May 31, 2012, 07:13:08 pm

I need to replace three house batteries.  The originals, Exide(Germany) 12v 165 AH(C5)195AH(C20), have served well for 7 years.  I'm looking at Exide and Lifeline for replacement.

I can't find much on Exide but Lifeline offers two, GPL-4DA 210AH @ 135 Pounds/$586 ea. and GPL-8DA 255AH @162 pounds/ $676 ea. 

I'd go for the latter, but I don't need the extra weight, and probably not the extra capacity.
I need the advice of owners who have been through the battery replacement process.

Thanks,
Bob Raab

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #1 – May 31, 2012, 07:29:31 pm

I went with the higher capacity batteries.  Yes, it's painful, but you never know when you'll need battery capacity.

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #2 – May 31, 2012, 08:38:32 pm

after researching batteries from all over the globe (literally) that took months and many 'phone calls to the factories to talk to "experts" I bought the Lifeline 8D 255 AGM--3 of them. Got them at AMSOLAR for $500 each but know they have gone up in price since last year. I reset the alternator charge down a touch as recommended by a few and so far I hope all is well. They are kept charged by my solar panels which are programmed thru the controller for correct charging.
John h

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #3 – May 31, 2012, 09:07:42 pm

Bob, Go for the lifelines. Either AGM's or GELS, ( I prefer AGM's ) ,They are expensive but they last if properly cared for.  7 years is not unusual.  Be wary of off brand foreign stuff.
Go to O'reilleys auto parts in your area, if one, and dicker with the manager.  A year ago lifeline 8d's were 500 each.
Gary B
Gary B

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #4 – May 31, 2012, 10:49:56 pm

I replaced the Deka AGM,s in my coach that were over five years old. I replaced them with the same Deka's. I dont have the budget for the expensive lifeline batteries. I am very pleased and they were $771 for two 8D's.

Mark Z

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #5 – June 01, 2012, 07:33:20 am

I replaced the original House Gel batteries with the Lifelines 6 years ago!  I wonder how much more service I could expect out of these Lifelines?  So far they have provided perfect service!

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Reply #6 – June 01, 2012, 08:04:12 pm

Mine where new a little over 6 years ago (3 Sealand 8d 255 AGM's), they are losing a little of their capacity but still perform well. We are still able to dry camp 2 or 3 days and keep the batts above 12.10V with no generator as long we keep coffee pots and other large loads on the generator when needed. Hope to get a couple of more years out of them.

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #7 – June 02, 2012, 01:26:48 pm

Just got new Deka 8A8D agm batteries last fall.  Just under $500 each at a local auto parts house. 

You want to make sure your converter/charger is set up for the proper voltage. The AGM and Lead Acid batteries should use the same voltage requirements, while the .  Some of you guys have fancy chargers that will switch automatically, and some have to physically switch.  Mine required a IC jumper for GEL and I had to remove it for the AGM voltage requirement.

Typical AGM Charge and Float Voltages at Various Temperature Ranges

Temp. ˚F   Charge   Float   Temp. ˚C
Standard   Maximum   Standard   Maximum
> 120   13.60   13.90   12.80   13.00   > 49
110-120   13.80   14.10   12.90   13.20   43-49
100-110   13.90   14.20   13.00   13.30   38-43
90-100   14.00   14.30   13.10   13.40   32-38
80-90   14.10   14.40   13.20   13.50   27-32
70-80   14.30   14.60   13.40   13.70   21-27
60-70   14.45   14.75   13.55   13.85   16-21
50-60   14.60   14.90   13.70   14.00   10-16
40-50   14.80   15.10   13.90   14.20   4-10
< 40           15.10   15.40   14.20   14.50   < 4


Typical Gel Charge and Float Voltages at Various Temperature Ranges
Temp. ˚F   Charge   Float   Temp. ˚C
Standard   Maximum   Standard   Maximum
> 120   13.00   13.30   12.80   13.00   > 49
110-120   13.20   13.50   12.90   13.20   44-48
100-109   13.30   13.60   13.00   13.30   38-43
90-99   13.40   13.70   13.10   13.40   32-37
80-89   13.50   13.80   13.20   13.50   27-31
70-79   13.70   14.00   13.40   13.70   21-26
60-69   13.85   14.15   13.55   13.85   16-20
50-59   14.00   14.30   13.70   14.00   10-15
40-49   14.20   14.50   13.90   14.20   5-9
< 39           14.50   14.80   14.20   14.50   < 4


Lots of good AGM and GEL battery info can be found at http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0139.pdf

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #8 – June 07, 2012, 05:03:09 pm

After much consideration, I chose to go with three Lifeline 8Ds. The prior owner had Lifeline bats. They were just over ten years old when I got the new set.  No regrets, but check back in another nine years.

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Re: House Battery Replacement.

Reply #9 – June 07, 2012, 05:25:49 pm

Bob,

I am also a long-time Lifeline AGM user-- in both boats and the Foretravel.

Brett

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