Coach batteries

Topic: Coach batteries (Read 1681 times) previous topic - next topic

Coach batteries

February 15, 2019, 09:14:10 pm

Coach has been mainly in storage
( plugged in ) for 18mouths , tried to fire up generator today and lifelines didn't have enough power to spin it over !
Now just considering options if I need to replace them .
Are the O'rielys AGM 8DAD still one of the best options.
Thanks for any thoughts , advice.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #1 – February 15, 2019, 09:22:28 pm

Best option is the ones that fit the budget.. lifeline or oriellys are great options

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #2 – February 15, 2019, 09:29:39 pm

Just found receipt for lifelines and they are 5 1/2 years old , will ring factory on Monday to get a price, tried O'rielys web page but unsure which model other members had used / recommended?

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #3 – February 15, 2019, 09:31:51 pm

My generator is started by the engine start chassis batteries, not the house batteries. What is the voltage of your Lifeline house batteries and what is the voltage of your chassis batteries? Your Lifelines may not be bad.

Gel as original equip
8G8DLTP | MK Battery 12v 225 AH Deep Cycle Gel 8G8D Battery

AGM Lifeline 8D
Lifeline 12v 255 AH Deep Cycle Sealed AGM Battery - GPL-8DA

Oriellys they offer the same battery with 3 different connect posts, this and T904 and T975 posts.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/fleet---heavy-duty-5000/battery-accessories-16452/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/220f7dcd7121/super-start-fleet-heavy-duty-group-size-8d-top-post-battery/agm8d/4742645

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #4 – February 15, 2019, 09:41:18 pm

You usually have to coach the counter people to look up the right ones at O'Riley's. Might be best to get the manager. Be sure you tell them to get you batteries no more than 3-4 mos old all the same date.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #5 – February 15, 2019, 09:44:01 pm

The only fool proof method I have seen since I started in 1984 with Foretravel is the now industry standard battery combiner to make absolutely sure the engine batteries are fully charged when needed and to not have them damaged in storage.

Anyone have another fool proof way? I tried all the others.

Probably what a blue sea 500 amp combiner is on all new coaches?

Replaced a full set of Optima red tops twice before the combiner.

Auto combines on charge. Auto disconnects on discharge. Either battery bank

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #6 – February 15, 2019, 09:55:49 pm

Quote from: Jack Lewis – February 15, 2019, 09:31:51 pm

My generator is started by the engine start chassis batteries, not the house batteries. What is the voltage of your Lifeline house batteries and what is the voltage of your chassis batteries? Your Lifelines may not be bad.

Gel as original equip
8G8DLTP | MK Battery 12v 225 AH Deep Cycle Gel 8G8D Battery

AGM Lifeline 8D
Lifeline 12v 255 AH Deep Cycle Sealed AGM Battery - GPL-8DA

Oreillys they offer the same battery with 3 different connect posts, this and T904 and T975 posts.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/fleet---heavy-duty-5000/battery-accessories-16452/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/220f7dcd7121/super-start-fleet-heavy-duty-group-size-8d-top-post-battery/agm8d/4742645

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #7 – February 15, 2019, 10:14:39 pm

Thanks for the advice, looking like my batteries are just past the 60month pro rated warranty. The O'rielys have the best price.
Interested in the blue sea 500a combiner , will do a search for any members that have done a write up on the install

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #8 – February 15, 2019, 10:47:41 pm

Coach came with gels. Not Agm's. 1/2 the cycle life

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #9 – February 15, 2019, 11:04:53 pm

O'Reilly PN AGM8D

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #10 – February 15, 2019, 11:05:48 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – February 15, 2019, 10:14:39 pm

Thanks for the advice, looking like my batteries are just past the 60month pro rated warranty. The O'rielys have the best price.
Interested in the blue sea 500a combiner , will do a search for any members that have done a write up on the install

Jimmy,

An elegant is somewhat expensive solution.

What are your objectives-- that will better allow us to evaluate whether this is a reasonable solution for what you want to achieve.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #11 – February 16, 2019, 06:25:46 am

LSL Products TRIK-L-START 5 Amp Starting Battery Charger

Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #12 – February 16, 2019, 09:57:01 am

Quote from: Jack Lewis – February 15, 2019, 09:31:51 pm

O'Reillys: they offer the same battery with 3 different connect posts, this and T904 and T975 posts.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/fleet---heavy-duty-5000/battery-accessories-16452/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/220f7dcd7121/super-start-fleet-heavy-duty-group-size-8d-top-post-battery/agm8d/4742645

That first photo on the O'Reilly web page for the AGM8D battery with standard SAE posts has always been incorrect. The other two photos on that page are correct. Link below to all three versions of the big battery. If you order batteries, unless you specifically ask for a "non-standard" battery post, you will most likely get the SAE posts.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/battery-accessories-16452/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/220f7dcd7121/1979/ford/f-150?prodAttr_14418=8D

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #13 – February 16, 2019, 12:34:26 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – February 16, 2019, 09:57:01 am

That first photo on the O'Reilly web page for the AGM8D battery with standard SAE posts has always been incorrect. The other two photos on that page are correct. Link below to all three versions of the big battery. If you order batteries, unless you specifically ask for a "non-standard" battery post, you will most likely get the SAE posts.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/battery-accessories-16452/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/220f7dcd7121/1979/ford/f-150?prodAttr_14418=8D

I have Oreilly AGM batteries already with the SAE posts, so the first would be right for my 97 295. My previous rv had the L terminals as I put new Lifeline 8Ds in it with new end connectors for the cables. As any other after market product, if you are not sure, best to consult with the retailer you are dealing with than tell them what you need.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #14 – February 16, 2019, 12:44:11 pm

When switching from gels to agm you might need to change dip switches on your inverter/charger.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #15 – February 16, 2019, 12:46:35 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – February 16, 2019, 12:44:11 pm

When switching from gels to agm you might need to change dip switches on your inverter/charger.

Let me restate that: You WILL have to change dip switch settings (older models) or reprogram (newer models).

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #16 – February 16, 2019, 12:57:51 pm

My engine batteries ran down by my mistake and the tickl charger blew internally as the power draw exceeded its output.

Green light still on. No output.

Went to a heavier unit after buying $700 worth of new optimaa

It failed also.

Another new set of batteries.

Combiner. Solar. Fixed

New agm's other than Lifelines CANNOT be equalized.

ANY capacity loss is non fixable.

Lifelines state a similar cycle life to the mk gels.

All others seem to be 1/2 the cycle life.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #17 – February 16, 2019, 01:16:04 pm

Wolfe
We travel to Europe each year and leave the coach in Storeage for 4-6 months, the coach is connected to power and I use a separate "battery minder " connected to the rear chassis batteries.
I had considered leaving coach connected to shore power, disconnect both battery packs and use a battery minder for each pack ! My objective is to keep both sets of batteries charged and in good condition whilst stored

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #18 – February 16, 2019, 01:31:05 pm

Jimmy,

As long as both banks are connected to SMART chargers (lots of good ones with/without combiners, etc) you should be just fine.

This can be done connected/disconnected. Lots of good options. Not sure one is overwhelmingly better than another.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #19 – February 16, 2019, 03:40:57 pm

Our Xantrex'true charge-40' has been in our coach for quite some time, installed by Brett. Works perfect: watching it adjust itself is better than TV! Xantrex | Power Inverter, Inverter Charger, Battery Charger Manufacturer

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #20 – February 16, 2019, 04:56:44 pm

Look at today's specifications for these batteries. There is not a significant difference in life expectancy (measured in 25% discharge cycles) between them. Here is MK's data sheet for depth of discharge life cycles for their GEL and AGM batteries as well as Lifelines and Fullriver batteries for the same thing.

A 25% discharge, which is generally accepted for longer battery life, gets you ...

MK AGM 8A8D @ 25% discharge has an expected 1900 cycles. 245 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate.
MK GEL 8G8D @ 25% discharge has an expected 2100 cycles. 225 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate.
LL AGM @ 25% discharge has an expected 2200 cycles. 255 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate
LL AGM L16 6V @ 25% discharge has an expected 2200 cycles. 400 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate.
FR AGM L16 6V @ 25% discharge has an expected 2300 cycles. 415 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate.
FR AGM DC260-12 8D 12v @ 25% discharge has an expected 2300 cycles. 260 amp hr capacity at a 20 hr discharge rate.

There is no manufacturer's data to support the 2x life cycle claim for todays GEL batteries vs AGMs when used in a reasonable way.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #21 – February 16, 2019, 06:02:32 pm

Am I wrong to assume the Foretravel original charger is not sufficient to maintain the coach batteries when the coach is plugged into shore power?
If so , am I better replacing the original charger or disconnect the coach batteries and use an external smart charger

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #22 – February 16, 2019, 06:39:46 pm

Jimmy,

According to the spec sheet at beamalarm.com, your coach came with 3 8D gel-type coach batteries and a ProSine 2500-watt inverter/charger. As long as the inverter/charger is functioning properly, and is correctly programed, then there is no reason to think it would not be capable of keeping the coach batteries fully charged when plugged into shore power. Many owners choose to upgrade their DC electrical system for one reason or another, but the stock equipment installed at the factory should certainly be adequate to the task.

Of course, you do need to provide a separate charging source (of some kind) for the start battery bank.

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #23 – February 16, 2019, 07:05:37 pm

Chuck, thanks for the response, I assume the prosine is adjustable by layman?

Re: Coach batteries

Reply #24 – February 16, 2019, 07:44:27 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – February 16, 2019, 06:02:32 pm

Am I wrong to assume the Foretravel original charger is not sufficient to maintain the coach batteries when the coach is plugged into shore power?
If so , am I better replacing the original charger or disconnect the coach batteries and use an external smart charger

Your Prosine is fine, but it charges house batteries only and not engine batteries. Unless you use the combiner switch (which is not a method I prefer long term) . OR install a dedicated smart combiner or the Tril-L-Start unit above.

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