Time to Replace Red Tops

Topic: Time to Replace Red Tops (Read 1070 times) previous topic - next topic

Time to Replace Red Tops

September 05, 2018, 11:57:23 pm

We've gotten 10 years from our 2 red tops. Curious what the group feels are the best current replacement alternatives.

Thanks

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #1 – September 06, 2018, 12:01:22 am

Either two more red tops or any AGM's that has the same amperage equivalent and are the same size.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #2 – September 06, 2018, 12:53:01 am

My take on this after careful thought is since it is difficult to temp control the charging voltage like the house batteries because of their location near the engines heat that Foretravel used the highest quality, most heat resistant, most immune to overcharging damage battery possible..

Redtops spiral wound construction dissipates heat better and is more resistant to damage from the motors vibrations.

Other than those reasons any AGM would work

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #3 – September 06, 2018, 10:09:24 am

Anyone know where the current best deal might be on Red Tops or their equivalent...if there is an equivalent. Thanks

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #4 – September 06, 2018, 10:22:38 am

Lots of folks use these,
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/fleet---heavy-duty-5000/battery-accessories-16452/battery---automotive-16864/battery---best-fit-16245/ec27e4e51018/super-start-fleet-heavy-duty-group-size-31-top-post-battery/agm31t/4742641?q=Group+31+agm+battery&pos=2

Top stud or post. About $100 less than Optimas. If you are an FMCA Diesel club member you can a discount.

Diesel RV Club - Valued Partners & Discounts

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #5 – September 06, 2018, 10:39:53 am

I'm not sure that the quality of Optima batteries is what it was 10 years ago. I have a total of 11 Optimas, red tops & blue tops, in various cars, boats & the RV. 4 of those have failed prematurely in the last 4 years. With that said, the last battery I bought just a few months ago was still an Optima. I have generally found the best price for them on Amazon and then sell the old one to a recycler.

If you go with the single 8D battery, make sure it's designed for starting and not deep cycle. There's a difference.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #6 – September 06, 2018, 11:12:26 am

Quote from: bdale – September 06, 2018, 10:39:53 am

I'm not sure that the quality of Optima batteries is what it was 10 years ago. 4 of those have failed prematurely in the last 4 years. If you go with the single 8D battery, make sure it's designed for starting and not deep cycle. There's a difference.

That's not good to hear: I like Optimas and Lifelines, but I think the charging system has a lot to do with the life of AGMs. I agree with the choice of batteries: I use red top Optimas for starting and Lifelines for the house with a 'Truepower 40' charging system.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #7 – September 06, 2018, 01:36:52 pm

$300 for all three Autozone Duralast 31 series a few months ago. Previous Duralast batteries lasted almost 9 years and only one was low. What does "RED" actually buy you?

Pierce

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #8 – September 06, 2018, 02:02:09 pm

Red vs a Duralast is not really a fair price comparison. The Optima is a little more expensive than many AGM's but you won't find any AGM's close to the Duralast price. So the more relevant question is whether or not AGM is worth the extra money over conventional wet lead acid. Red Tops vs other, cheaper AGM's is sort of a different debate. I'm sold on AGM, maybe a little less convinced about Optima.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #9 – September 06, 2018, 02:49:24 pm

The rounded shells of the red tops helps the battery dissipate heat, which is going to happen in the hot engine bay. Plus the heat from the unavoidable overcharging. Plus the red tops were made to resist damage from vibrations.

If the other batteries worked as well notoriously frugal Foretravel would have used them oem.

Every uni whatever came with optimas and mk gels,

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #10 – September 06, 2018, 03:30:50 pm

Brett may remember more, but I show he replaced the Optimas (prolly OEM) in 2000 and the Lifelines in 2005. Then they were replaced again in 2012 (Optimas) and in 2014 (Lifelines). That's not too shabby!

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #11 – September 06, 2018, 03:50:08 pm

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

If they both last 9 years in a hot, vibrating engine compartment, based on dollar per year and starting ability, it does sound like a very fair comparison. We are purchasing something to start the engine year after year without maintenance, nothing more. Duralasts have been in all our cars and one has never failed yet.

I love our AGM deep cycle house batteries but I got a deal on them. They are still going strong but 6 at $435 each is a lot of $$ if you have to pay anything close to list price.

Read Red Top problems at: red top battery problems - Google Search

Pierce

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #12 – September 06, 2018, 04:05:55 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – September 06, 2018, 03:50:08 pm

I love our AGM deep cycle house batteries but I got a deal on them. They are still going strong but 6 at $435 each is a lot of $$ if you have to pay anything close to list price.

Gasp! I have the receipt for the Lifelines: $627.98 EACH. This does not reflect remove & replace, which could be spendy, as well, considering it looks like the forward curbside one would prolly have to come out with a floor jack!

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #13 – September 06, 2018, 04:32:46 pm

Yup, a few minutes with a floor jack or a pet gorilla.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #14 – September 06, 2018, 05:47:47 pm

My Lifeline coach and eng batteries lasted 9 1/2 years. I'm happy with that.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #15 – September 06, 2018, 05:58:16 pm

My aversion to down grading any of the oem equipment that came with the coach stems from my wish to have as much of the same "good" that the original owners experienced.

If you pay less it's normally not as good.

My and my guru buddies extensive experience on rv electrical systems and batteries is that the premium stuff lasts longer and works better more than offsetting the percentage increase in price.

If i saved from 25% to 40% off of the top of the line price but got 50% or more less service that would be a poor value in my case,

The problem for me maybe I know what's going on.

My coaches batteries when we got it worked ok. But if you knew what you were looking at they definitely were down on power compared to the same batteries new,

More noisy gen run time. Quicker voltage drops. Slower cranking. Dimmer lights.

Maybe I am paranoid but having Rved in a hundred different coaches of unknown condition you learn to start over.

I have limited time to use the coach. Watching the gauges and having them show what I know for sure is worn below new specs bothers me.

If I did not know it probably would not bother me as much. That and the externally noisy generators run time and drycamping with gen hours restricted has me needing the highest possible capacity for the longest possible time.

We are background preppers living in shaky town. If you really needed the coach in a long term disaster would you install lesser quality parts?

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #16 – September 06, 2018, 06:10:27 pm

Bob,

I like your last line, "We are background preppers living in shaky town. If you really needed the coach in a long term disaster would you install lesser quality parts?"

We live in Fire Town with lots of them now. That's why I choose Duralasts. Perhaps you didn't see my link describing the quality problems with the Red Tops?

Pierce

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #17 – September 06, 2018, 06:19:55 pm

Hope we can all meet in Quartzsite in January to hash out our differences. If I get many more insults, I'm going to bring my Coat of Arms.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #18 – September 06, 2018, 06:39:20 pm

Sounds like "Dueling Wine Glasses" at 2 paces.

Love it when a plan comes together!

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #19 – September 06, 2018, 06:47:49 pm

If your paying 40 cents a mile for diesel and driving all over the place, does the price of a battery really matter?

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #20 – September 06, 2018, 06:52:14 pm

Quote from: Twig – September 06, 2018, 06:47:49 pm

If your paying 40 cents a mile for diesel and driving all over the place, does the price of a battery really matter?

YES.

Same for using gasbuddy to find fuel prices.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #21 – September 06, 2018, 07:22:37 pm

Without pulling out the manuals can someone confirm Group 31 vs 34? Good price here on Red Top Group 34's:

OPTIMA Red Top Battery, Group Size: 34/78, 8004-003

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #22 – September 06, 2018, 07:56:06 pm

Standard Group 34/78 batteries are 10.25" long. This is the size we had in our coach before I replaced them.

Standard Group 31 batteries are 13" long.

I think your battery rack is probably sized for Group 34/78 batteries, but best wait for confirmation from another member.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #23 – September 06, 2018, 08:02:43 pm

My 2001 U320 has 3 Optima Yellowtop group 31. That may not be the same as yours.

Re: Time to Replace Red Tops

Reply #24 – September 06, 2018, 08:25:03 pm

Randy,

Group 31 series are larger commercial batteries. I had to build another battery tray for them to fit. The coach came with group 34s but my AZone dealer made me a deal (always ask for a discount if buying 3 batteries). I now have almost 3000 CCA so winter cranking was in the back of my mind when I decided to change horses. I went with the Duralast after comparing weight between competing batteries. They weighed 60 lbs each or about 5 lbs more than others I looked at. With batteries, usually the more they weigh, the better they are.

The $300 price was including trade in. They were fine with smaller batteries for the core.

As you can see from the photos, the tray is quite a bit larger and took quite a bit of work to make and install. I had to turn the batteries around so the positive is now at the rear bumper as it was too close to the hyd reservoir.

The cables are OEM Foretravel or I would have changed the way they are connected.

I always use GasBuddy ahead of time and if I can save $0.02/gal I will head a bit out of my way. I comparison shop for everything and always check the menus on Yelp before deciding on a restaurant. Every Indian rides a buffalo in my book.

Pierce

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