Battery replacement

Topic: Battery replacement (Read 1564 times) previous topic - next topic

Battery replacement

December 30, 2015, 01:05:26 pm

It looks like it is time to replace the house batteries. I just pulled one from the compartment and it has a voltage of 13.16 ( all three measured the same), this is after being plugged in for a couple of weeks with no load. The batteries were manufactured in 2006 so 9 years old.

I will watch the voltage and load test depending on how they hold a charge today.

I have been looking at batteries for a few months in anticipation that mine will need to be replaced. I found these for about $420 each shipped. Does anyone with more knowledge than me have an opinion?

UB8D Gel 12v 250AH Group 8D Deep Cycle Battery

Thanks in advance

Steve

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #1 – December 30, 2015, 01:15:43 pm

Steve,I looked at that web site,looks like the shipping is high,are there any trucking places in your area to get batteries,if you
could pick them up you would save shipping.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #2 – December 30, 2015, 01:58:54 pm

Quote from: John44 – December 30, 2015, 01:15:43 pm

Steve,I looked at that web site,looks like the shipping is high,are there any trucking places in your area to get batteries,if you
could pick them up you would save shipping.

I am in Ft Myers FL for the winter. I suspect there are some truck places around, but I don't know where they are. The shipping is not as bad for 3 batteries, but yes still expensive. The delivered price is $420 each, the cheapest I have found

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #3 – December 30, 2015, 02:02:09 pm

Hi Steve -

These are that batteries that we installed:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/SSBL/AGM8D/N2493.oap?ck=Search_N2493_-1_-1&pt=N2493&ppt=C2389

The specs look similar to the Apex.

We chose these because they are well rated and made by East Penn Mfg. in Pennsylvania. Same battery as the Deka and MK.

Good luck -

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #4 – December 30, 2015, 02:26:54 pm

Nothing wrong with 13.16 volts. Take to shop to have them load checked before replacing. Lots of options for house batteries (or engine batteries), depending if you are willing to make modifications to battery trays. I found mine on Sacramento Craigslist and installed 6 Genesis XE70-0771-6001 from a bankrupt solar company. List was well over $400 but fire sale price was $35 each new. Working super well years later with our solar installation. So cheap I bought some for the cars.

Here is the battery I found. Others are available if you are persistant. Genesis XE70-0771-6001 12 Volt 68 Amp Hour Battery

Pierce

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #5 – December 30, 2015, 02:30:24 pm

Quote from: Carol & Scott – December 30, 2015, 02:02:09 pm

These are that batteries that we installed:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/SSBL/AGM8D/N2493.oap?ck=Search_N2493_-1_-1&pt=N2493&ppt=C2389

Scott, the photos of the AGM batteries on that link show "caps" which would indicate to me that it's not "sealed". But AGM batteries are - at least in my experience - sealed.

Did the units you got have caps on the cells?

Criag

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #6 – December 30, 2015, 02:31:03 pm

Quote from: stevec22 – December 30, 2015, 01:05:26 pm

Does anyone...have an opinion?

Reading through the ad you linked, I see some inconsistencies. This always raises a red flag (to me).

At the top of the ad, it says these are "Gel 12v 250AH Group 8D Deep Cycle" batteries.

In the Specifications, it says these are "Sealed AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)" batteries.

GEL and AGM are not the same thing. Does the seller know what he is selling?

Also, the ad mentions "Anti-Corrosion Electrolyte". Electrolyte is basically dilute sulphuric acid. Anti-corrosive sulphuric acid?

I second the recommendation for the O'Reilly battery. They have been used by several Forum members with excellent results. If you ask nice, you can usually get the store clerks to help you swap out the batteries, saving wear and tear on your back. Also, they take the old ones off your hands for the core charge. Worked out well for me!

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #7 – December 30, 2015, 02:34:52 pm

Craig,

Here is the O'Reilly battery we installed - same as mentioned by Scott - they are definitely AGM type. What looks like "filler caps" are actually non-removable pressure controlled vents.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #8 – December 30, 2015, 02:36:03 pm

O.Reilly has the rewards club also,join before you buy.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #9 – December 30, 2015, 02:52:35 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 30, 2015, 02:34:52 pm

Craig,

Here is the O'Reilly battery we installed - same as mentioned by Scott - they are definitely AGM type. What looks like "filler caps" are actually non-removable pressure controlled vents.

Ok thanks, Chuck. That moves them into the "buy" category. I have to get new house batteries in the spring and the prices on these are certainly right. I'd love to move to one of the Lithium types but can't afford them and also want to wait until the market settles out on which one is best (and whether any of them will set my rig on fire).

FWIW: I have several sets of Lithium batteries for my new low-powered (and portable) HF ham radio sets (two Elecrafts, a K1 and a K2) and they really are amazing. Small with long shelf-life and plenty of power. They don't "look" like they'd even work (some not much larger than AA cells) but they are amazing.

Craig

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #10 – December 30, 2015, 03:30:45 pm

I got the same O'Reilly batteries at my local NAPA. If you are buying three, ask for a discount. It will save you some $$ and there is no shipping to worry about. I drove over and they helped me switch them out.

Rich

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #11 – December 30, 2015, 11:04:07 pm

O'Reilly brand AGM batteries are made by Johnson Controls.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #12 – December 31, 2015, 06:33:12 am

Ours looked exactly the same and were Deka.

Rich

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #13 – December 31, 2015, 12:06:29 pm

I have heard that they are Dekka/East Penn.

Trent

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #14 – December 31, 2015, 12:51:33 pm

I did O'Reilly house batteries a year ago they are working great. Just check the production date one of the set of 3 they tried to sell me was 8 months older than the the other 2.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #15 – December 31, 2015, 01:06:57 pm

Quote from: Rudy – December 30, 2015, 11:04:07 pm

O'Reilly brand AGM batteries are made by Johnson Controls.

The AGM8D's that O'Reilly sells are East Penn/Deka. They have other AGM's like the Optima Red Tops etc. that are Johnson Controls.
Don

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #16 – December 31, 2015, 01:08:54 pm

Mk 8g8ds have double the cycle life of their own agms. If your coach is a keeper the additional cost may result in a longer term solution.

The mk engineer mentioned internal plate mounting changes from east penn that might result in a doubling of the batteries already excellent life.

He mentioned calls from foretravelers that had received 10-11 years of good service from their older models.

The entire coach is 12v related and my long term rv electrical guru will only install mk 8g8d's in his shop.

Yes they are more money. Some agm's will have more amp hours capacity by a bit but as the batteries age they may have a more diminished capacity at some future point then the mk's gels IMO and experience.

See the mk website for the cycle life's at various percentage discharges of both batteries designs.

It's probably not a noticeeable difference say for the first five years I would guess but the five year on point the capacity of the gels should be noticeably better than the agm's.

We dry camp a lot so the amount of deeper discharges we will experience may exceed your uses so the cycle life of a set of batteries always hooked up to a pedestal may offset the agm versus gels lower cycle life.

To offset the cost difference maybe taking a less expensive campsite or dry camp to reduce your cost might factor into the long term equation.

Especially if the mk engineer is correct and the new gels have a 15-20 year llife expectancy?

My two cents.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #17 – December 31, 2015, 03:09:59 pm

Don,

Not to argue but the reason I posted AGM manufactured at Johnson Controls is the First Call sales person I purchased them from stated they were made at Johnson. I like East Penn so either way would be a good choice for me.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #18 – December 31, 2015, 08:05:01 pm

Interesting. I called the number on the battery's label, and when I asked them if the 8d AGM's were made by East Penn, I was told "Yes, that is correct", which seemed to confirm my other research and matched the visual appearance of the cases to the "t". Not to mention every specification listed by O'Reilly, matched exactly the East Penn chart. Still, one never knows.... fortunately all four of the ones I bought are the same. It would be nice if O'Reilly was more forthcoming with the provenance of their products.
Don

Quote from: Rudy – December 31, 2015, 03:09:59 pm

Don,

Not to argue but the reason I posted AGM manufactured at Johnson Controls is the First Call sales person I purchased them from stated they were made at Johnson. I like East Penn so either way would be a good choice for me.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #19 – January 04, 2016, 12:10:03 pm

I discovered that the battery previously posted is made in China, so I am not buying those. I will buy the O'Reilly ones if needed

A little more information. The batteries are Sonnenschein Gel. Manufactured in 2006. Two days after disconnecting from shore power, the voltage dropped from initial charge of 13.16 to 13.01.

I did a load test by hooking up a 750 watt inverter to the battery and then plugging in a 100 watt light bulb. I measured the load voltage and unloaded voltage at one hour intervals. Based on 90% efficiency (might need to assume 80%) the battery would have an output of 11 Ah.

Results

Hour V (loaded) V (unloaded)
0 12.80 13.01
1 12.56 12.74
2 12.49 12.65
3 12.41 12.56
4 12.35 12.52
5 12.28 12.46

So, the test drew between 55 and 60 Ah and dropped to 12.46 V unloaded. I have seen posts regarding battery voltage vs percent remaining, but I can not find it now. Can someone repost it or just explain it again?

Also, Would one of the desulfinators improve the capacity or do anything to help my batteries? If yes do I need one for each of the batteries? or one for all three?

Amazon.com : Wizbang Battery Desulfator Solar Wind EV Marine Storage :...

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

ETA... This test was on a single battery. I did not perform test using all three batteries.

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

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #20 – January 04, 2016, 12:40:00 pm

I think your batteries are rated at 675 amp hours capacity. Your voltage drop for the load appears to indicate the batteries are tired.

12.85 is 100% charged after a 24 hour rest unloaded. Yours match

At 60 amp,hours discharge mine show 12.70? Volts versus your 12.46.

As far as I know your batteries are east penn made.

Newer gels have had a change internally to last even longer.

I dry camp a lot and the best possible batteries were my choice.

Mk 8g8d's were my choice and the double cycles life at similar discharges was a better financial decision IMO.

Twice the life versus AGM's.

Yes I installed a desulfanator on both my optima red tops for starting and the house batteries.

My 30 year electrical Rv guru only installs the mk 8g8d's lead/calcium batteries

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #21 – January 04, 2016, 02:52:40 pm

Quote from: stevec22 – January 04, 2016, 12:10:03 pm

Also, Would one of the desulfinators improve the capacity or do anything to help my batteries? If yes do I need one for each of the batteries? or one for all three?

Before using a desulfinator, check with your battery manufacturer as some don't recommend usage. Many chargers have a desulfinator option that can be switched on/off. They do work wonders on some batteries.

Here is a quote: "Be cautious using this charger for AGMs. Some AGMs have a specialized charge profile that the 1500 is not designed to supply. I believe the 1500 is suitable for use only with CERTAIN Optima batteries. Consult the battery manufacturer as well as batteryminders.com website to match the appropriate charger to your AGM and aviation batteries"

Pierce

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #22 – January 05, 2016, 08:03:56 am

At some point very soon I have to address my battery situation. After reading some of the discussions I think I'm loosing some AMPS if that the correct term when I startup. Here is a pic of the battery shutoff. What do you all think?

Thanks,
Woodie
DD 6V92

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #23 – January 05, 2016, 09:31:13 am

Woodie,

While I really like Blue-sea products and have used them for years on sailboats and RV's, that switch is not their HD one. With the 6V92, I would probably go with their HD ON-OFF switch for the chassis batteries: HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch with AFD - Blue Sea Systems

But, you can test this yourself: Put one of your digital voltmeter leads on each lug of the switch and have someone start the engine. Measure the voltage drop across the switch with the starter engaged.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #24 – January 05, 2016, 11:50:26 am

FWIW... I've been using East Penn (MK) 8D AGMs for a few months and had the Whiz Bang Desulfator (sp) in place since they were installed. W/No issues.
Also when parked, I use a (made in China) automatic reverse charger (desulfator) without issue. This device kicks in every few mins., to maintain the batteries which I purchased from NAPA on the second Saturday of the month and saved $$$.
No hot or other over charging issues. Batteries are at spec per East Penn & Co..
Not sure if NAPA has continued with this monthly second Saturday program going into 2016.. pc

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