starting battery reccomendations

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starting battery reccomendations

February 22, 2014, 01:42:06 am

I cannot complain, almost eleven years is a good long life for my original starting batteries. Of late they been boost help to start the engine, even when fully charged.

So what would be suitable replacements for my three yellow top Optimas? Anything just as good but not as pricey? I want to stay away from conventional flooded cells. Would maintenance free flooded work, or do I want to stick with AGM cells?

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #1 – February 22, 2014, 10:09:40 am

Tom,

As you probably read in my other post, I use Duralast maintenance free in everything I own. About $100 each. Made by Johnson controls if I remember right and have heard Autozone sets the specs they want. They get great reviews and are available even in the Autozone stores in Mexico. Our coach takes three. Not sure how your batteries mount but I might use their commercial group 31 the next time. Not sure why as they have worked well but the 31s are a really heavy battery but not much larger, just a little taller.

I never use the boost switch when starting so house batteries are not a factor in the rapid cranking (probably low compression

).

Pierce

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #2 – February 22, 2014, 10:16:16 am

The Lifeline dealer from whom I bought the 8D house batteries recommended Odyssey batteries for starting. His research and experience says that Odyssey is currently the best AGM battery for starting engines.

I prefer the cleanliness of AGM batteries as compared to flooded cells.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #3 – February 22, 2014, 07:45:32 pm

Dekka - 8a8d.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #4 – February 22, 2014, 09:22:54 pm

Yellow Top Optimas are deep cycle, I would think not the best for starting batteries. How about the Red Top Opitmas for $14 from Amazon, Amazon.com: Optima 8020-164-FFP RedTop Group 35 Starting Battery: Automotive. That was my choice.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #5 – February 22, 2014, 11:02:37 pm

My 3 Yellowtop Optimas were installed by Foretravel 12 years ago when the coach was produced. Yellowtop is listed as Dual Purpose, and supposedly more tolerant to deep discharge than the Redtop. I'll consider switching to Redtop when I need new ones, but since mine still don't need a boost to start, maybe FTs choice of Yellowtops was a good idea. I believe they are 8012-021 D34 batteries... $177.40 each at http://www.streetsideauto.com/search.asp?keywords=optima+8012-021 free shipping with no tax, or same price at Amazon, with tax.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #6 – February 22, 2014, 11:25:04 pm

Maintenance free flooded have removable tops and are not maintenance free. Most have gotten around 10 years with a set of Optimas, yellow or red top (we prefer red top). Some Sam's Club used to have good prices, maybe Costco too.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #7 – February 24, 2014, 01:27:14 pm

The Optima Battery Website states the following:

"Note: The difference between BLUETOP® and YELLOWTOP® deep-cycle batteries is that BLUETOP® batteries have both automotive (SAE) posts and threaded studs, while YELLOWTOP®S (other than D31T) only have SAE terminals.

If you ever get confused on the colored tops, just remember: if it has a dark gray case, then it's a starting battery; if it has a light gray case, then it's a deep-cycle (dual-purpose) battery."

Even though Optima claims that their YELLOWTOP® is a true dual-purpose battery, I would think that their REDTOP® battery would be superior (to their YELLOWTOP®) as a starting battery, since it is designed specifically for that purpose. I also suspect that there are equally good (or better) AGM starting batteries out there; they just aren't as heavily advertised.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #8 – February 24, 2014, 08:30:12 pm

Replaced all three start batteries with 9050-160 Optima yellow tops. Starts real nice with 900 CCA . However, had a bit of time to replace but it can be done. David

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #9 – February 25, 2014, 01:13:22 am

Optima Part No. 8002-002 - RedTop(R) Batteries

OK, decision made ... I think.

I have had really good results with the yellow top group 34 Optima batteries. I can save a few dollars and raise the CCA from 750 to 800 by going to the same physical size in red tops.

The link above is where I plan to order them for $147.50 each with free shipping.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #10 – February 25, 2014, 01:15:41 am

By the way, one more reason I am happy to not have a tag axle. All my batteries are super accessible.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #11 – February 25, 2014, 10:16:01 am

Ok,

Red Tops - Looks like my stable volts are 12.1-12.3. After the charger says 100% for 2 hours, I turned it off for 2 hours and that is the reading.

Still turns over great at 40 degrees. Will a desulferator do anything?

Or should I be looking for new red tops?

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #12 – February 25, 2014, 01:51:26 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 25, 2014, 10:16:01 am

Ok,

Red Tops - Looks like my stable volts are 12.1-12.3. After the charger says 100% for 2 hours, I turned it off for 2 hours and that is the reading.

Still turns over great at 40 degrees. Will a desulferator do anything?

Or should I be looking for new red tops?

How old are they and how many Amps are being pumped in for two hours? My guess is that after that much charging they should have a higher voltage.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #13 – February 25, 2014, 03:26:05 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – February 25, 2014, 01:15:41 am

By the way, one more reason I am happy to not have a tag axle. All my batteries are super accessible.

True, with a tag in my year they are a pain to reach but only have to reach them every few years and the tag is every time I drive it.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #14 – February 25, 2014, 03:33:43 pm

Not sure on age, 5yrs?

Amps ? its a 10a charger, V 14.2 then to float

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #15 – February 25, 2014, 03:40:57 pm

Don't Red tops have a CCA of 1,000?

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #16 – February 25, 2014, 03:58:12 pm

I think that's correct

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #17 – February 25, 2014, 04:12:23 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – February 25, 2014, 03:40:57 pm

Don't Red tops have a CCA of 1,000?

Depends on the size. Group 34 is 800 CCA. Seems more than enough for my isl400. For a while I was doing fine with only two healthy yellow top group 34 batteries.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #18 – February 25, 2014, 04:17:09 pm

Quote from: John S – February 25, 2014, 03:26:05 pm

True, with a tag in my year they are a pain to reach but only have to reach them every few years and the tag is every time I drive it.

My non-tag 38 footer drives so nicely, I have a hard time imagining any improvement with a tag. I was driving in strong gusty crosswinds last week, didn't even notice except for watching trees, flags, and other vehicles. And I really noticed when I stopped and tried walking in the wind.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #19 – February 25, 2014, 10:11:18 pm

Like Pierce and Kent I have 3 starting batteries which are mounted on the rear frame behind the rear bumper. Although easy to get to, they are in a rough environment behind the engine. Excide Orbital marine deep cycle/starting batteries from Napa came with the coach when I bought it back in March 2012.

The Detroit fired up easily but I didn't know their age. I went to the local Napa store and had them load tested and found two needed replacing! I replaced them with Optima 34M Blue Tops which the dealer recommended as a replacement. Built for the marine/rv environment, I like the dual purpose, dual posts, and overall value. Should last a long time and I'll replace the third one when it gets weak and fails the load test.

Marine Battery | RV Battery | BLUETOP® | OPTIMABATTERIES

Jerry aka Murph

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #20 – February 25, 2014, 11:30:12 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 25, 2014, 10:16:01 am

Ok,

Red Tops - Looks like my stable volts are 12.1-12.3. After the charger says 100% for 2 hours, I turned it off for 2 hours and that is the reading.

Still turns over great at 40 degrees. Will a desulferator do anything?

Or should I be looking for new red tops?

Asked my electrical guru that question yesterday. 12.4-12.7 was his answer on my three 800cca red tools

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #21 – February 25, 2014, 11:58:43 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 25, 2014, 03:33:43 pm

Not sure on age, 5yrs?

Amps ? its a 10a charger, V 14.2 then to float

I think I'd hit the boost switch for 24 hours and see what happens.

Craig

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #22 – February 26, 2014, 09:54:30 am

Looks like with the old fassion battery tester .. the load glow kind says about 77%.

What will a desulferator do? Will it heal the gel red tops?

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #23 – February 26, 2014, 10:53:05 am

My understanding is that the desulfanator takes months to improve battery performance.

My rationale for choosing Red Tops vs. Blue or Yellow Tops was price. I saw no reason to pay the extra price for a dual purpose battery. I think the Yellow or Blue will work just fine.

Re: starting battery reccomendations

Reply #24 – February 26, 2014, 11:05:15 am

Ken, any idea what the gain possibilities are; 5, 10, 15%? Do they extend battery life. $:-\$

I believe in KISS looks like it might be another thing to monitor for a 5% gain, 10 probably and 15 definitely.

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