Start batteries

Topic: Start batteries (Read 2029 times) previous topic - next topic

Start batteries

March 27, 2017, 08:27:55 pm

Once we get landed in Stockton I'm going to replace the three start batteries. They look like typical automotive batteries, so I'm hoping that they won't be too heavy to lift out. What is the current thinking on what to use? I'm assuming that I'll get them in Bolivar, so O'Reilly's, Auto Zone, and Wal-Mart are the choices for stores.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #1 – March 27, 2017, 08:49:49 pm

Mine has 3x group 24, which I got at costco. They work great.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #2 – March 27, 2017, 09:08:33 pm

Optima AGM RedTop is popular with (some) Forum folks. Available at most auto part chain stores, or they can get them on short notice. Shop around for the best deal...they are often on sale.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/OBT2/RED34/03321.oap?ck=Search_C0423_1327766_-1&pt=C0423&ppt=C0005

Re: Start batteries

Reply #3 – March 27, 2017, 09:30:03 pm

I don't believe in the red/yellow top batteries. Good quote but I don't want to offend. I have always used Duralast batteries. I installed three 24 series Duralasts in our coach the day we bought it in N.C. Still cranking like new about 8 years later. Other good choice would be 31 series. Duralasts are made by Johnson Controls.

Three Duralasts should be a bit over $300.

Pierce

Re: Start batteries

Reply #4 – March 27, 2017, 09:36:08 pm

Freightliner has had their group 31 start batteries on sale for $70: Houston Freightliner: XHD31C 1,000 CCA 69.95ea

Re: Start batteries

Reply #5 – March 27, 2017, 09:44:51 pm

Every Foretravel unihome and unicoach made had optima agm l batteries in them new. And gels for the house.

Yes it's more money. Are you a price or quality buyer?

Re: Start batteries

Reply #6 – March 27, 2017, 09:53:50 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 27, 2017, 09:44:51 pm

Every Foretravel unihome and unicoach made had optima gel batteries in them new. And gels for the house.

Yes it's more money. Are you a price or quality buyer?

Quality buyer. That's why I buy Duralasts. I remember someone bemoaning the fact that our coaches skimped on the chassis rustproofing.

P

Re: Start batteries

Reply #7 – March 27, 2017, 10:03:32 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – March 27, 2017, 09:44:51 pm

Every Foretravel unihome and unicoach made had optima gel batteries in them new. And gels for the house.
Yes it's more money. Are you a price or quality buyer?

If you go to the optima website you will find they only make agm batteries, not gel.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #8 – March 27, 2017, 10:13:35 pm

David,

A newly overhauled engine is always tight which makes cranking

more difficult. This can make a good battery seem not as strong.

You might want to have the batteries checked before purchasing

new ones.

Carter-

Re: Start batteries

Reply #9 – March 27, 2017, 10:36:37 pm

Yes changed my post to Agm

Re: Start batteries

Reply #10 – March 27, 2017, 10:52:09 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – March 27, 2017, 09:53:50 pm

Quality buyer. That's why I buy Duralasts. I remember someone bemoaning the fact that our coaches skimped on the chassis rustproofing.

P

Duralast has a very good rating. Do a search on "optima quality", it would be my last choice.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #11 – March 27, 2017, 10:57:47 pm

What year did they stop using 8D batteries?

Re: Start batteries

Reply #12 – March 27, 2017, 11:20:24 pm

I was not able to fit 31s in my rack. I measured because I wanted to go with commercial batteries vs automotive. 24 takes up the full width.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #13 – March 27, 2017, 11:44:52 pm

Commercial 31s are a tiny bit wider but about an inch longer. Capacity will be about 80Ah for a 24 but 125Ah for a 31 series. A pretty big advantage. The commercial warranty is usually not as long but that's just a competitive thing for manufactures vying for sales in the automotive battery market. They have the added advantage of a little more distance between the plates and the bottom of the battery so as the battery ages, the deteriorating plate material can't bridge the gap between the battery bottom and the plates above shorting the battery.

Battery quality can usually be determined by weight. For a determined DIYer, the rack may be modified so they will fit. Three good quality 24 series should start a 9 or 10 liter diesel in sub-freeing weather. Naturally, a 31 series has a lot more in reserve. One 8D can't match three 31s but two 8D really rule.

Pierce

Re: Start batteries

Reply #14 – March 27, 2017, 11:48:52 pm

I bought my last set of Red Tops at Amazon - cheapest price I could find (and they were recent with free shipping) - Then I took my old ones back to Napa and got money for them...

Re: Start batteries

Reply #15 – April 24, 2017, 05:37:46 pm

Pulled the batteries out last night, cleaned them off and found that they are from O'Reilly's. We had to go to Buffalo today, so I took the batteries along. Fortunately I asked for them to test them first. All three tested fine. Young eyes found a date code - batteries were made just before we bought the coach. I was told I can expect seven years (!) out of these, and some people have gotten 12. Guess I'll put them back in after supper. Since we didn't have to buy three batteries we decided to splurge and get a couple of Orange Julius drinks instead. Much cheaper and certainly tastier.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #16 – April 24, 2017, 05:53:23 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – April 24, 2017, 05:37:46 pm

Pulled the batteries out last night

Why did you pull them?

Can you not monitor both battery banks?

Re: Start batteries

Reply #17 – April 24, 2017, 06:18:03 pm

seven years is average as long as your batteries arent abused ( left dead, deep cycled, overcharged, etc). Ten to twelve is exceptional.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #18 – April 24, 2017, 08:34:51 pm

Mike, I assumed that I would have to replace them, so I may as well take them with me when we went into town. Yes, putting a meter on each bank is pretty easy, once all my joints are creaking together in harmony.

Re: Start batteries

Reply #19 – April 24, 2017, 10:28:33 pm

We replaced all three Redtops this trip in Savannah at O'Reillys for $680. They did the install! Store manager pitched in. When the last battery came out, it was a 2011 and the other two were early 2012. (That date seems like yesterday...but, time flies.) We are now fresh as a daisy and we know what we have on board.

I did get the "Click Click Click" the day before. The "Boost" allowed an almost instant start up. The day we made the purchase, the boost was not as forceful, but we got up and running to the O'Reilly store. They get good marks for service from me!

Re: Start batteries

Reply #20 – April 25, 2017, 12:10:38 am

Lots of ten to twelve year oem red top batteries posts here

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Reply #21 – April 25, 2017, 03:33:18 pm

I had yellow tops.. will they be sufficient ? Was going to put 3 in. I already have them

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Reply #22 – April 25, 2017, 07:01:50 pm

Yellow tops were OEM in my 2001 U320. I replaced mine with yellowtops in 2011. Still strong.

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Reply #23 – June 02, 2017, 04:35:44 pm

Are yellow tops / red tops a specific model or do they come in different sizes ?

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Reply #24 – June 02, 2017, 04:50:25 pm

Three Autozone Duralast 34 series in September of 2009. Still starts like the day I put them in with no boost on the 9 liter Detroit. $300 for all three in '09. Trickle charge them at 13.1 volts

Pierce

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