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Topic: Battery replacement  (Read 334 times) previous topic - next topic

Battery replacement

Have to replace  my two coach batteries they are  8D interstate battery I do not have any solar panels .  And don't plan to install solar panels at this time. I keep reading about lithium batteries is this a better choice that 8D deep cell Battery every lithium battery I see has a bolt to in stall the battery cables instead of battery post and battery terminals I am look for a high capacity battery and quality not at the price. I am not familiar with lithium batteries I charge my coach batteries by shore  power or alternator the generator is only use occasionally but the coach is stored all winter plug in to shore power can this bolt on the battery , stand the amperage from the starter on the generator I'll be using the same cables just changing the Battery Terminals to an eye terminal look for your input I boomdock very little but would like the battery storage when I do.

Rick & Hilda looking forward to full- timing one day for now couple of months at a time
1999 U270 3602
Built number  5530.  Feb 1999            Motorcade  number 18438
8.3 Cummins Allison six speed with brake  retarder
Purchased Nov 28 2019

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #1 –
There are advantages to lithium. They are lighter, can be discharged down to 0%, and they will last much longer. For boon docking they are your best choice. However, you need to determine whether your current charger has an appropriate setting (for some lithium batteries a generic AGM setting will work). Also, you may need to add a battery to battery charger or battery isolation manager to handle charging from the alternator.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #2 –
Tanks Dave for the information I have to do some research I thought it was just a matter of swapping them out I'll have to read my Freedom model 25 inverter manual I have a battery isolator separating the two batteries from the alternator.  if I have too start changing the inverter and adding on a extra battery charger I will probably look at how to install a solar panels system and keep up with this new technology this is completely out of my education class  but I read about people adding this technology to their coaches but I'm just wondering the amount of boom docking that I do does it justify the costs I have had the coach about 3 1/2 years and next month I'm going for a week music festival for the first time. But it maybe a new project to take on.
Rick & Hilda looking forward to full- timing one day for now couple of months at a time
1999 U270 3602
Built number  5530.  Feb 1999            Motorcade  number 18438
8.3 Cummins Allison six speed with brake  retarder
Purchased Nov 28 2019

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #3 –
1st solar if you are a DIY person is not that pricey using used panels. Makes for nice when the generator is not needed just to charge batteries.lithium is nice for the $$, however they require proper charging to get the best out of them . They will kill your  alternator without a battery to battery charger in place of your isolator. Finally for less than 400.00$ you can get a dedicated lithium battery charger that is fully automatic. I too have a freedom 25 I would not rely on it to properly charge my expensive lithium batteries. I just bought a couple of 8D AGMS to get me through the summer as my 3 8 year old ones are dying a slow death. 600AH of Lithium this winter
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #4 –
Rick, the positive and negative cables that came with your coach actually have ring terminals that attach to a battery post clamp. They are 3/8" but with a nice copper washer fit fine with the 8mm bolts on the lithium battery. 8mm is very close to 5/16". I used my original 4/0 cables.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #5 –
About 6 years ago I had the same choice of AGM vs Lithium.
At the time I could not go with the Lithium because of the cost and the potential that one mistake could destroy a sizable investment.
I chose Lifeline L16 6v  400ah batteries.
It looks like you could put 2 of them in the space you picture, and increase your capacity by quite a bit.
With the current prices and availability of Lithium, and the available BMS systems, I would go with Lithium now.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Battery replacement

Reply #6 –
I too have looked at the lithium replacements, but they do not make much sense in cold weather.
With Canadian winters as they are, the AGM with chargers last a bit longer with no issues.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox