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Topic: O'Reilly batteries (Read 3227 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #40 –

As does  posting battery life's info without any measurements. 

Some if not most here take their coaches into some kind of shop where they measure the batteries condition on a quick handheld unit. 

Versus the slower recommended way. 

$1200-$2000+ worth of batteries involved.  The better part of a load bank with a recording gauge is to do it during the batteries life starting at 15 cycles just to see how they are holding up.

I would hate to REALLY need the batteries to be good in an emergency and find out that they were not able to perform

Found the 250 watt unit

Electronic Load, 12V 250W 0-20A Discharge Board Burn-in Module for Battery...

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Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #41 –
While not an absolute measure of battery capacity, a carbon pile load tester is in my opinion, a pretty good indicator of battery health. I don't need the exact numbers down to 10th of an amp hour... what's more if all four of my 8D AGM O'Reilly house bank test within five percent or so of each other while disconnected and fully charged, I feel they are close enough to be equally yoked. These AGM's were always meant to be a place holder until I decide to lithium-up (or dilithium crystals :D ) or whatever tech looks best. I followed Foliver's posts on the Newel Guru's forum when he put in the 1000AH Balqon bank. At that time, they were about a dollar an amp hour and had I not so many other needs at the time, I would have gone for it. As it turned out, Balqon's price went up about 20% instead of going down and then they apparently stopped their US Retail business. C'est la vie... I have a 1000AMP carbon pile tester, while not nearly as compact as the hand held electronic units, I feel they give a better real world indication.
Don

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #42 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
As does  posting battery life's info without any measurements. 

I would hate to REALLY need the batteries to be good in an emergency and find out that they were not able to perform

Found the 250 watt unit
Electronic Load, 12V 250W 0-20A Discharge Board Burn-in Module for Battery...

Bob, I agree with you 100%.  The following video shows the Battle Born, Liion, and Ruixu being tested.  I've posted this video, for those that do not understand what you are saying.  Because of this video Liion changed the model number of their battery from 1300 to 1100.

Most will not want to test their batteries this way, it still does not change the fact that, as Lifeline says, this is the the only way to reliably test battery capacity: 25 amp load till battery is at 10.5 volts.  Reserve capacity for new Lifeline is 550 minutes, 9.16 hrs.  Reserve capacity for new Oriellys AGM8D, 517 minutes, 8.6 hrs.

This Will Prouse solar YouTube video for 5 batteries took approx. 3 days, 5 hrs each, 25 hrs., condensed in to a 20 minute video. So...Don's approx $200 tester in his above post, definitely has it's place.

https://youtu.be/pNgUSpkzYl4
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Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #43 –
What is the best price you have gotten on the oreilley AGM 8D? Its time for new batteries in my boat and these might be the ticket if I can get em cheap enough. The current flooded 8Ds wont start the engine anymore without using the boost combiner.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #44 –
Quote from: RvTrvlr –
What is the best price you have gotten on the oreilley AGM 8D? Its time for new batteries in my boat and these might be the ticket if I can get em cheap enough. The current flooded 8Ds wont start the engine anymore without using the boost combiner.
Around $450. less 10% military disc. $22. core if you don't have 8d's to turn in.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #45 –
Keep on testing.  I test my batteries by using them right regularly. As always DWMYFG.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #46 –
 Most owners told me "never gave me no problem."  My guru guy and I cringed as that meant watch out.

My sole point is that they still hold some charge after so many years is not much help to someone asking how they hold up.

Like my engine still runs.  It's badly worn but still runs.

Like I mentioned here and from the mk engineer lots of 12 year oem gel life stories.

If you paid half and got half life that's even.  But at some point the capacities were down a lot. 

Versus li-ion and gels and Lifelines keeping their capacities much longer.

Pedestal to pedestal or large solar lessens the capacity needs

Carbon pile did not work at low amp draws

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #47 –
Don't most conventional and AGMs make it that long? Our conventional engine batteries made it 10 and our AGMs are going strong at 11 years.

Pierce

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #48 –
Pierce do you have any data on percentage of capacity left?

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #49 –
No, one of the conventional engine batteries had a bad cell but before that, the 3 batteries started the coach fine in all seasons. Wth one exception, our conventional car batteries always last 8 or 9 years without being connected to a charger. The AGM house batteries have never been flattened and run the OEM inverter fine. After I installed them, I blow off the tops with an air hose ever couple of years and that is about it. As long as they run the big TV, etc. and then the microwave/latte maker in the morning, I don't pay much attention to it. Have never had to start the generator yet because the voltage was low. I do keep both banks at 13.2 - 13.5V all the time.

They came from a bankrupt company back then and I expect a lot bankrupt companies in the very near future. Not clapping my hands but unfortunately, it's going to happen.

 Solar panel prices are the cheapest they have ever been. Aside from the battery deals this week, I just noticed new Yingli 305 watt panels were on CL for $130. This is the same brand as ours, a commercial panel the same width but quite a bit shorter with even more watts. I'm sure quite a bit lighter too as our panels weigh over 65 lbs each.

Pierce

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #50 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Pierce do you have any data on percentage of capacity left?

Pierce's past post shows he is extremely aware of his electronics and his batteries meeting his needs.  In previous posts he has stated his six, 11 year old, 68 ah AGMs give him 408ah of capacity, have never been run flat, and are kept between 13.2 to 13.5 volts. His are probably equal to the highest quality AGMs available, and have had the best of care. https://www.osibatteries.com/p-997.aspx?searchEngineName=enersys-genesis-pure-lead-xe70x-0771-6003-battery-68ah-w-metal-jacket&gclid=CjkKEQjwm_2aBRCpivfn94X-o7IBEiQAuhGjMqTN-OVKRmxP4QfXHAQk0Rv3J2OT9PhSsIkUnUx8wIvw_wcB  He loves to dry camp, even shuts off his inverter at night to maximize  capacity. He has a $700 Midnight Solar 150 controller fed by almost 1200 watts of panels on the roof.  He enjoys a lot of dry camping. He understands maintenance and the importance of monitoring batteries.  He has stated his microwave runs slow in the morning, possibly indicating weaker batteries, posibly not. However if he is happy having his microwave run slow in the morning, heating his water and food, and uses primarily solar to extend capacity, who is to say he needs new batteries. He also stated he doesn't run his gen often, as he hates the noise and exhaust. He also is still running on the original OEM imodified sine wave nverter from 1993, that he shuts off at night to extend capacity.  The original inverter will run a microwave at a reduced capacity compared to a newer pure sign wave inverter.

I've seen coaches come in trade that originally had two 8D AGMs, come in with only one.  I asked the owner where it went?  The owner stated "oh, I pulled the other one out 5 years ago, it shorted out.  This Lifeline is only 8 years old, and is all I need."  How can you argue with that owner, you cannot.  You just say ok, and put in two new Lifelines before it is resold.

So what I am saying is, Pierce is very knowledgeable, much more than most, probably knows more about electrical than myself and you combined. His batteries serve him fine.  We know if he replaced those batteries with new, and replaced the OEM modified sine wave inverter with a pure sine wave, that his microwave might not run as slow in the morning.  If his microwave heats his water or food in the morning, without running the generator, he is happy, who is to say he is not right?

I only posted this because I read both of your posts whenever you two post, I enjoy reading both. It is my belief that Pierce enjoys playing devil's advocate for the sake of argument.  I too would be proud of using 10 year old AGMs that I had so safely guarded. I also know it will be most unlikely, that either I or you will change his mind.  You both, consistently have your point of view, based on your needs and past experience.  Please, do not ever change, either of you.  You guys are what make this forum great. The combined experience  of Pierce, you, and I is awesum.  Add the forum members, like Rodger, craneman, Tim, wolf10, John, George, Chuck, PWyatt, Barry, Don, Lon, Juston Cook of Bay Marine, and others, we are colossal.

For years I have said, half of what you hear on the web is wrong, including what I say.  It is not that I or others lie, it is just that our needs, and our experiences will vary from yours.  So.......do your research, read and listen to what others say.  Just remember  that half of that may be wrong for you.
Do your research, make your choices, write the check, it is your money, only you know your needs and budget.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #51 –
Thanks Jack, my fingers are tired thinking about the typing you did in your post. Glad you mentioned some of the bright guys on the forum. Don't forget Ken Hathaway as he is right up at the top. Have to say that I'm envious of the knowledge so many have when I talk to them. You have to have that for a forum like this or run a government, otherwise, chaos results.

Microwaves always runs slow on a modified/quasi sine wave inverter. Not just the morning but all the time. They need the 170 volt peaks that pure sine wave gives to run properly. So, even though your AC voltmeter shows 120V at the receptacle, it does not show the waveform. A RMS voltmeter reads  "root mean square" an average. That's why unless you have a sine wave inverter, your MW will always run slower.

When I bought my first RV, I wondered why the MW was so slow when on inverter juice compared to when I used the generator or plugged into shore power. Here is a good read below from someone that explains much better than I do.

https://www.compwest.com/image/catalog/Library/hudhipotpaper.pdf

About 6 months ago, I received a pure sine wave inverter from China. Have not had time to install it but I thought I would do a comparison test of the OEM inverter against the new SW inverter against shore power and post the results with boiling a half cup of water, etc.

Pierce

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #52 –
I need a margarita!!!! :o  O:)  :-X

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #53 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
I need a margarita!!!! :o  O:)  :-X
I'll take one as well. I had no idea that I had to have a lab coat on, Aluminum clipboard in hand and a scientific degree to "go camping" :))  8)  It's all good though. Do what works for you and what you can afford.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #54 –
Quote from: bigdog –
I'll take one as well. I had no idea that I had to have a lab coat on, Aluminum clipboard in hand and a scientific degree to "go camping" :))  8)  It's all good though. Do what works for you and what you can afford.
I like your "Do what works for you and what you can afford." I always try to do the best for the least expense and without re-inventing the wheel. It's not necessarily what you can afford but what you budget for your projects. Some, with fewer hobbies, just pull out the CC. Others, for one reason or another, are looking for more economy but not poor quality in solar, filters, batteries, etc and how to find these items at the best possible prices.

I don't think Jack L or I meant to ruffle feathers here. It's just everyone has their strengths, some of us have been in the trenches for much of our lives and didn't try to make the transition from a big desk to a RV DIY person. Anyone remember Gil Stratton's famous saying?

Save the margaritas for tomorrow, Cinco de Mayo! Can't wait for the border to open again.

Pierce

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #55 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –

I don't think Jack L or I meant to ruffle feathers here.

No ruffling going on at all. And that goes for my musings as well.  I'm always curious and one to ask why? Esp as I'm new(ish) to this RV thing.

So I actually find it interesting and informative in the why of folks spending cb's and lots of labor to not use the Genset. Are folks worried about wearing it out?
If one is boondocking, Noise shouldn't be the main issue. Should it?

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #56 –
Oh well. Not unexpected. 

I have contributed to a large brand specific/ model specific motorcycle board for almost 20 years.

The riders/owners posted "it still runs ok" then ask carb jetting questions.

I explained that the only  way to correctly answer their questions was to have them run a $50 leakdown test to show how much wear and poor sealing that results from it had occurred to their motor so I could advise them more correctly on the carb brass parts needed.

The solar panel use for a lot of owners here lessens the non full recharge effects that can damage AGM and flooded cell batteries.

We want/need as close to  100% capacity as possible for our partial prepper needs here in shaky town in southern Kalifornia.

Where we live and have the coach in a real emergency there is no way out of here for an extended period.

Very few here have a need/want like us it seems.  Good for them.

We assume no power.  No water. No exit.

I think if most of you HAD to have known good equipment in an emergency you would test your setup every so often and maybe upgrade your setup for the longest life and most reliability. 

Maybe or maybe not.

I used to work on airplanes and everything on and in them was proactively checked and/or replaced.

So for us being proactive and needing for sure condition the $150 worth of test equipment seemed reasonable.

My guru buddy mentioned to me at the time he installed a Xantrex power pro gauge that almost all the owners set the gauge to show the percentage screen and has little or no interest in the charge rates or discharge rates or settings or condition unless they had not enough power.

A few of the motorcycle boards riders caught on about the test for condition altering the jetting and noticed the much crisper running better starting and gas mileage range that resulted.

Most just wanted to go riding.

Regular testing  each year can result in less on the road problems in my experience.

Like I mentioned once or twice before I came from the 1980's in the rv biz.  Flooded cells. Hydrometer battery checks. Over charging from near single stage chargers,  damaged cabling from the acid fumes. 

Old habits are harder to break I guess.

The bad thing for me I guess is once I learned exactly what I am supposed to see from amp hours used versus battery voltage it's hard not to notice any major variations. 

Maybe better not to know?

Too important here where we would be basically locked in after a emergency.

I am just a rv nerd.  Setup hundreds of customers personally for the best rv experience long ago.

The money was pennies compared to late model high line coaches.

I agree on solar as I was the first dealer to install a small solar panel on every coach sold starting in 1987.  32 watts

We were skiers and remote area dirt bike dry campers and needed new condition systems and batteries.

No pedestal to pedestal.  No large solar.  Propane gens that used a gallon an hour with a  58 gallon tank. 

Times change and so does the setups  available.

Good luck to all here. 







Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #57 –
BigDog,

Noise is the huge issue to me. Both Gaylie and I have tinnitus and much noise drives us crazy. The vibration also is very annoying. I also don't like the smell. I love to step out of the coach in the morning to silence. Night around the bad carbon footprint campfire is ruined if I can hear a generator. Laughing children is great, even a boombox playing Salsa at a distance is good, just no generator. Check our member location map. Only one neighbor and I'm going to shoot out his sodium vapor nightlight!

Everything is going electric, cars, trucks, even small planes are starting to look that direction. Everywhere you look, skate boards are electrics, bicycles to with shopping baskets on the back. You probably have read about California's PG&Es scandal. I've despised this company since we moved up here back in 1987. Now blackouts with no juice for days on top of Death Valley heat, no fire insurance, virus, etc are driving everyone crazy. With the cheap prices on solar panels now, going off the grid is my next wish, perhaps in the next life.

As somewhat of an expat here, I love European campgrounds with only a few Eurospec generators but mostly quiet. After 2 pm on Saturday, you can't run a lawnmower in Germany until Monday.

As far as experts go, anyone who has been to Mexico/Canada is an expert, Glenn, Twig, John, Brett, Dan, etc. The more recent, the better. Been to Yellowstone lately? Expert. How about a good restaurant or campgound on I-40? Expert! To me, that's who I listen to and have my writing paper out to jot down the info. But, a big bank balance and high limit CC alone is not a qualifier.

So no, you don't need a white coat to be a positive addition to the forum. Just some first hand experience without any "wives' tales" added in.

Bob, That's exactly why I have the twin voltmeters on the dash and the Pro-Link 9000 to watch the engine operation, efficiency. I can tell well ahead of time if something is about to go south. (not SoCal  :D ) Driving with Michelins, you must have AAA and CoachNet on constant standby. :D  :D  :D Just kidding Bob, no harm intended. Enjoy Cinco de Mayo with Pati Jinich's guac receipe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Rl1Zo8Scg

Pierce

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #58 –
My O'Reilly AGM's were down 30% after 5 years when I replaced them.

Re: O'Reilly batteries

Reply #59 –
Thanks Brett.  About what I expected.

As far as the Michelin's "you pay for everyone of your pleasures.  "And if you did not pay as much it probably was not as much fun, was it?"

Every unicoach made had Michelin's