Opinions on batteries

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Opinions on batteries

February 10, 2022, 10:03:50 am

Needing new start batteries. I have 3 Optima Redtops now dated 02/15. I was looking at either staying with the Redtops or Dekas. It looks like Deka is manufactured by Penn. The same company that makes Lifeline. In another thread here it was said Optima was starting to get some bad reviews. Any real world experience with either of these would be appreciated. Same price point on both.
I can't knock Optima. They still start that ISM okay. But I know things can change.
Robert

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #1 – February 10, 2022, 10:06:12 am

I've read really good things about SuperStart batteries from O'Reilly auto. I will probably consider them when the time comes.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #2 – February 10, 2022, 10:26:19 am

I used to really really like optimas till they were sold and lost 20+% of there weight. Good for three years but no more. Hard pass on them for me. My start battles are three group 31 Napa. Salesman said they weren't great either. Really didn't have much of a choice when i purchased in 2020 but they have performed well
Scott

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #3 – February 10, 2022, 10:30:25 am

Read reviews on Optima batteries before buying. Autozone/O'Reilly is good. Our 3 Duralast start batteries lasted from when we bought the coach in '08 to about 3 or 4 years ago before one failed. Changed to 31 series Duralast with 2850 CCA. Three battery purchase should give you a 10% discount. Total was a little over $300 for all. They weight about 60# each. The heavier the better for batteries. They are maintenance free. I've never tried to unseal any to check on level. Other Johnson batteries have good reputation. Check Coscto, Sam's Club, Walmart for the best deals and easiest replacement. Compare weights also.

Pierce

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #4 – February 10, 2022, 10:30:49 am

These days I look for the batteries with the longest warranty. The last pickup I had got Autozone Gold's, which had a 7 year warranty at the time. 3 year full replacement and pro-rated after that.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #5 – February 10, 2022, 11:23:21 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – February 10, 2022, 10:30:25 am

31 series Duralast with 2850 CCA. They are maintenance free. I've never tried to unseal any to check on level.

Pierce

Funny you bring this up, I did peel back the labels and unscrew the flush sealed caps. Most were at a acceptable level but several were low but above the plates. I filled all to the upper limit after fully charging. Yes maintenance free sealed batteries can be checked and filled. Great point you bring up Pierce 👍👍

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #6 – February 10, 2022, 11:25:01 am

https://youtu.be/h7rTcBanpMk

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #7 – February 10, 2022, 11:30:34 am

I have Optima start batteries and they are starting to fail after three or four years.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #8 – February 10, 2022, 11:51:09 am

The Yellow Tops in the coach when I bought it lasted about one year. I replaced them with Yellow Tops which lasted about 6 years. Now I Have O'Reilly's Super Start Fleet & Heavy Duty Battery Group Size 31.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/fleet-heavy-duty/super-start-fleet-heavy-duty-battery-group-size-31/ssbl/agm31t?q=AgM&pos=0
$205 each out the door when I bought them. They are coming up on five years (I think) and are great.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #9 – February 10, 2022, 12:01:19 pm

We have Optima red tops that are almost 10 years old and still seem to be performing well. However—I've read that the current generation of Optima batteries are not of the same quality as the older ones.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #10 – February 10, 2022, 01:31:27 pm

I have the Optima Yellow Top purchased 04/2019 starting to fail will not maintain 12 volt's when temperature drops, not sure what way I'm going to go with new batteries, They were subject to last year's Texas deep freeze do to being at FOT for repairs, the coach was plugged in but that doesn't do much for the start batteries. Does seem like the Optima batteries just don't hold up like they used too.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #11 – February 10, 2022, 02:37:06 pm

I just check and my batteries, Red Topps, were bought April 2019 same as Mikes so I'm
looking at what I will use. Not Red Topps.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #12 – February 10, 2022, 03:20:03 pm

I did O'Reilly marine high capacity start batteries. They are reputed to be a tad more rugged and have an extra accessory lug at each terminal which is nice for attaching auxiliary items like toad charge, Trik L charge, and tire pressure sensor repeater. I went from two to three batteries for my C8.3 and have really enjoyed the extra capacity. Have not used the boost switch since change over in Sept. 2021. I did not want to redesign my battery support, so did not use Group 31 size batteries. Seems like the U320s were built with slightly larger start battery rack. Much cheaper than three Red Tops. I did have to scout around to find three, they shipped them in from other stores.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #13 – February 10, 2022, 09:19:23 pm

We are happy with 3 redtops and figure on closer to 10 years of use without any problems using new cables and military connector.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #14 – February 10, 2022, 09:26:25 pm

I think if you have old Redtops you have a great battery, it's the new ones that are the
problem.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #15 – February 11, 2022, 11:25:25 am

Regardless of brand, I would advise purchasing from a place that has a large national presence. If you have problems on the road, you don't have the time to deal with an online vendor. Not to mention shipping batteries is not cheap. Try the big box auto stores, Walmart, Costco, Sam's , etc. You may pay a little more on the front end but it will work in your favor for any warranty issues.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #16 – February 12, 2022, 06:02:18 pm

I am at looking at the silicone batteries for my start batteries too. It's the cold weather starting
I'm after.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #17 – February 12, 2022, 06:07:59 pm

Peter, my U320 starts at -30° F with no problems. Use the engine preheat with your AH.

Battery technology is advancing quickly. I have an eye on (and own some stock in) QuantumScape solid state batteries. New technologies need some proof behind them before you want to dive in.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #18 – February 12, 2022, 07:26:11 pm

The people in England that designed and built the first Lipo ones now are working on batteries using salt, believe it or not.
Johnh

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #19 – February 12, 2022, 11:06:39 pm

Also my house batteries are the Silicone batteries and it is easier for charging if they
are the same and I'm happy with my house batteries.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #20 – February 13, 2022, 04:37:06 pm

A friend and I went and checked out batteries after reading this discussion. My coach has been slow to start since I bought it last April. We came back to the coach and it's parked on concrete so we could get under it better than at my place. He found out that the cables were loose . 3 year old batteries- and probably not dead batteries. After a few hours showing 13.5 and coach starts as designed. I saw Optimas at 325 a battery. Now I gots dinero for fuel-

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #21 – February 13, 2022, 04:41:06 pm

Ernie,

I had a sign I put out front of our coach on occasion (depended on diesel price):

WILL WORK FOR DIESEL!

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #22 – February 13, 2022, 04:57:25 pm

Quote from: erniee – February 13, 2022, 04:37:06 pm

A friend and I went and checked out batteries after reading this discussion. My coach has been slow to start since I bought it last April. We came back to the coach and it's parked on concrete so we could get under it better than at my place. He found out that the cables were loose . 3 year old batteries- and probably not dead batteries. After a few hours showing 13.5 and coach starts as designed. I saw Optimas at 325 a battery. Now I gots dinero for fuel-

I went through a few Group 27 batteries over the nine years we spent in our previous RV, damaged by draining them empty all.

Because even our Foretravel requires more than a single Group 27, we now have a second power converter dedicated solely to the chassis battery. Yes it was $220 from Amazon. Is it overkill? I don't know, my DEKA GC-6 house batteries lasted 8 years, and were still "enough" when we sold the RV. You tell me?

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #23 – February 13, 2022, 05:02:34 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – February 13, 2022, 04:57:25 pm

...we now have a second power converter dedicated solely to the chassis battery.

Hopefully, a SMART charger/converter.

Re: Opinions on batteries

Reply #24 – February 13, 2022, 05:11:48 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 13, 2022, 05:02:34 pm

Hopefully, a SMART charger/converter.

Is there any other kind Wolfe? I have a matched pair of Progressive Dynamics PD 9260 now.
The first 9260 went to a neighbor in need.
The second replaced the 9160 that my water heater drowned it.
The third, well, that one was out in the open after I had to answer the question: "Why did we have a spare power converter?"

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