Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

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Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

December 31, 2017, 12:09:13 pm

I notice Brett has batteries for sale in the classifieds, I assume they were intended for my coach. They are Lifeline GPL=4CT, he's asking $495.00 for the pair. After Brett, the batteries installed by the PO were Lifeline GPL-8DL. My files show he paid $627.00 each in 2014! What's the difference?

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #1 – December 31, 2017, 12:17:37 pm

Six volts versus twelve volts, I think.

Trent

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #2 – December 31, 2017, 12:33:39 pm

Ya, the pair of Lifeline 6 volts have the same amps @ 12 VDC, but are much easier to lift (basically 1/2 half the weight each of the 8D).

Same technology, life, performance, etc.

Lifting those 8D's is getting to be toooo much work.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #3 – December 31, 2017, 12:55:30 pm

All the coach batteries need to be exactly the same condition and dates to insure less future issues in my coaching experience.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #4 – December 31, 2017, 01:03:37 pm

A very pricey difference between the two sizes!

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #5 – December 31, 2017, 01:04:23 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 31, 2017, 12:33:39 pm

Same technology, life, performance, etc.

One downside: twice as many connections to keep clean and tight.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #6 – December 31, 2017, 01:45:57 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 31, 2017, 01:04:23 pm

One downside: twice as many connections to keep clean and tight.

Actually only ONE extra connection per pair (positive of battery #! to negative of battery #2). And, with AGM's keeping them clean is really a non-issue (no outgasing).

For pricing, you need to compare a PAIR of the 6 volt batteries with ONE 8D. Doubt you will find a large delta (price per amp-hr @12 VDC).

Not pushing that 6 VDC's are the right answer for everyone, but they are a very popular choice across the RV industry for good quality and easier to lift deep cycle batteries.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #7 – December 31, 2017, 01:56:04 pm

So WHY would the PO spend so much money on the 8Ds if he did not need to, or does one need four 4-CT 6-volts in the coach? I'm confused, per usual.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #8 – December 31, 2017, 02:31:28 pm

Mike,
Again, not much difference in price per amp-hr at 12 VDC. And, 2 of the 6 volts give just slightly less amp-hrs at 12 VDC than the 8D's. So 2 of the 6 VDC take the place of one 8D but are easier to move.

As far as what/how many batteries one has or thinks are needed, very first question is "how much dry camping do you do". If you go from CG to CG, you really don't need a huge battery bank-- no need for the extra weight and expense..

Do a lot of dry camping-- then extra batteries, solar, etc make sense.

There isn't and should not be a "one answer fits all" on electrical systems.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #9 – December 31, 2017, 02:42:48 pm

delete

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #10 – December 31, 2017, 03:03:28 pm

There's really no reason to buy a supposedly "deep cycle" 8D. All 8D batteries have thicker plates, because they're commercial truck batteries, and thicker plates are the main thing that makes any battery deep cycle. Basically, all 8D batteries are deep cycle. You're just paying extra for the words "deep cycle" on the sticker. This is from battery industry people, not me personally. I did a bunch of research on this a few years back and posted it on this forum. In car battery sizes you really do need to pay extra to get a deep cycle battery, but not in the 8D size. Also an ordinary flooded cell battery is usually superior to an AGM or a gel cell in most applications, and a lot less expensive. This is coming from a manufacturer who makes both AGM and flooded cell batteries, although I didn't do this particular research myself. It came from research done by another RV owner on a different forum, but he documented it well and I verified it at that time. You can buy two or three sets of flooded cell 8D batteries for the price of one set of Gel cells and two sets of flooded cell batteries for the price of one set of AGM batteries. Gel cell batteries are usually only suitable for the coach batteries, not the cranking batteries. Flooded cell batteries or AGM batteries are suitable for either purpose. Gel cell batteries often require a different charging voltage. The AGM batteries I have experience with use the same charging voltage as flooded cell batteries. Assuming you have easy access to your batteries so you can check the water, your most economical solution would be a set of ordinary flooded cell 8D batteries. For the money you save you can afford to always have a new set of batteries. I buy a new set of 8D flooded cells whenever I notice any weakness in them. A flooded cell 8D actually costs LESS than a top quality car battery... no really! ...Shop around and you'll find them for about a dollar per pound! Don't waste twice as much money on inferior AGM batteries when you can have brand new flooded cell batteries twice as often. Batteries are completely recyclable so don't worry about harming the environment. Buy a new set of flooded cell 8D batteries any time you notice your old ones weakening. You'll be further ahead than other people who spent a lot more... Also you get to open up your battery box to check your water right beside some other rig in the campground and hear them gasp at the size of your batteries.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #11 – December 31, 2017, 04:16:50 pm

Your 91 coach if memory serves me has a battery fiberglass box with a lid and a dedicated vent plastic pipe to safely vent the explosive hydrogen gasses that flooded cell batteries generate. Plus your batteries are orientated in the tray to allow easy access to allow the regular maintenance flooded cells require. Especially with the non smart chargers then available which constantly overcharged the batteries which then required constant water servicing and cable maintenance.

500 amp hours then worked ok. 750 or more works better on newer coaches.

If deeply discharged the cycle life was greatly reduced and if discharged deeply and in below zero weather the batteries can freeze.

The later coaches relocated the batteries and gen to better balance the increased structure weight of a unicoach plus the heavier, longer inline six cylinders the emission laws mandated and for more power for the heavier coaches.

500 pounds of 8d's right behind the front axle and the front gen relocation across the industry was necessary.

Flooded cells lost capacity fairly quickly if cycled deeply. So fairly shortly in their cycle life the capacity was reduced.

Deep discharge and recharging tends to sulphate the plates and they warp. When the plates touch that's a short and the battery is recycled.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #12 – December 31, 2017, 04:22:41 pm

Scott, I appreciate your humor. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs. As I discovered this morning, what one considers complaining another considers wisdom. And so...my experience. I paid approx $1000 for two batteries (Lifeline 8D's) for seven years in my first Monaco, transferred them to my next Monaco for 3 years for a total of over 10 years. These were sold with my Monaco, buying the U295 in May 2017. I will post the military jet mechanics experience with the batteries if and when he returns my question about them. Recently I bought these four 1/2 year old (5/17/2013) AGMs from a member (whom was kind enough to sell them to me for their core charge value, he updated to lithium batteries), and will update my experience with them as I put them to good use. These 4+ year old AGMs are serving their 3rd forum member owner. I did not even have to clean them off (as you can see in the picture), just wire brush cleaned the posts, replaced my connections with new, I could not be more pleased. Yes I have solar, yes I try not to let them run down more than 20%, yes I care about keeping them fully charged, to me it is worth it. The conventional wet cells have their advantage too, they will take more abuse. For me it works taking care of the batteries and in return I have clean terminals, etc. I too, when camping, can pull out my trays of AGM's, dust them off and get the "wow, those are big."

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #13 – December 31, 2017, 04:28:41 pm

Just to settle a nagging question: Are the GPL-8DL batteries in my '93 "sealed" or "flooded". I've never pulled the cover and vent off because the batteries are so new and we do very little dry camping. The bay is behind the side entry door on our '93. Don't tell me I need to add water? Yikes!

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #14 – December 31, 2017, 04:31:00 pm

Quote from: mike leary – December 31, 2017, 04:28:41 pm

Just to settle a nagging question: Are the GPL=8DL batteries in my '93 "sealed" or "flooded". I've never pulled the cover and vent off because the batteries are so new and we do very little dry camping. Don't tell me I need to add water? $:-\$

https://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/rv-marine/agm/111-and-up-amp-hour/gpl-8dl.html

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #15 – December 31, 2017, 04:36:44 pm

I think one of the reasons six-volt banks became popular is their price. Six-volt golf cart batteries are available at good prices. I think many other industries use six-volt battery banks.

Trent

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #16 – December 31, 2017, 04:37:18 pm

Mike,

Lifeline batteries are sealed AGM's, so no maintenance other than occasionally checking terminals for tightness.

I do not know present battery configuration in your coach, but when I had it, here is the house battery configuration:

One Lifeline 8D in battery box (just forward of passenger's rear wheel) and one Lifeline 8D in passenger's front wheel well forward of the wheel.

The location for the second 8D was unique. Reasons, better weight distribution and two heaviest 12 VDC draws were jack motor (2' from new location) and generator starter (5' from new location). Very heavy gauge battery cables between the two batteries.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #17 – December 31, 2017, 05:03:38 pm

Geez, this forum! Ask a simple question and blow the day, knowing more about my batteries than ever thought of....thanks, Guys! Just to settle it: the Lifelines are the start batteries and the Optima Group 78s are the coach batteries? Whew, I think I need to check the propane sniffer! Thanks again.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #18 – December 31, 2017, 05:34:32 pm

NO, Optimas are start (chassis) and Lifelines the house.

That is standard layout unless previous owner changed it.

You can look at the numbering on the cables to the positive terminals in the battery box to verify (compare to your wiring diagram).

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #19 – December 31, 2017, 05:48:35 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 31, 2017, 05:34:32 pm

NO, Optimas are start (chassis) and Lifelines the house.

And since the batteries are ganged, your "True Charge 40" monitors both start & house? Any memory which is which, left being start & right being house?

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #20 – December 31, 2017, 06:01:13 pm

OE configuration on the U240 as I recall is chassis batteries forward and house aft in the battery box forward of passenger's rear tire.

That sure doesn't mean someone did not change locations-- as I recall, the cables are long enough to work either way.

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #21 – December 31, 2017, 06:05:38 pm

Does the "True Charge 40" monitor both the start and house?

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #22 – December 31, 2017, 06:47:00 pm

Quote from: mike leary – December 31, 2017, 06:05:38 pm

Does the "True Charge 40" monitor both the start and house?

If wired correctly, yes. It monitors two battery banks and charges them separately as needed. (I installed one in my previous coach)

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #23 – December 31, 2017, 06:49:10 pm

It WAS wired correctly!

Re: Question: Coach Batteries for U-240?

Reply #24 – December 31, 2017, 07:01:43 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 31, 2017, 06:49:10 pm

It WAS wired correctly!

I knew that. When we've dry camped, run the gen set or hook to SP, that thing is more fun to watch than TV!

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