Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Sguy48 on June 21, 2011, 12:28:06 pm

Title: Chassis batteries
Post by: Sguy48 on June 21, 2011, 12:28:06 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72099 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72099)
I'm thinking of replacing the chassis batteries and have read the former posts. As with most topics, there is a diversity of opinion regarding wet cell, AGM, etc. I'm wondering what the current thoughts are by the members of this group on chassis batteries? Thanks in advance

Roger Harper

2006 Intrigue #11990
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Lee Zaborowski on June 21, 2011, 12:30:47 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72100 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72100)
Roger, I would think the type of camping and demand you make on the batteries might point you in a useful direction.

--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Roger Harper on June 21, 2011, 01:12:13 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72101 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72101)
Lee, we're pretty new to this coach but had a Renegade hauler just previous; that was all boondocking as racetracks don't have hookups. With this coach, I am assuming we'll do alot more campground hookups so don't expect that we'll be without hookups for extended periods of time like before, thanks,

Roger

2006 Intrigue #11990
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Fred Compton on June 22, 2011, 09:58:47 am
Yahoo Message Number: 72134 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72134)
Roger,

About 6 months ago I replaced my wet cell chassis and house batteries with Lifeline AGM's. Thus far I am very pleased with them. I chose AGM's primarily to eliminate the corrosion I kept getting in my battery compartment despite servicing the batteries and cleaning the compartment regularly. When I removed the old batteries, I discovered the corrosion had actually partially disintegrated part of the battery support structure which I had to replace. The AGM's are probably 3 times as expensive as wet cell, and many feel the benefits do not justify the cost. I feel more comfortable with the AGM's----just my opinion.

Fred Compton

2002 Intrigue #11407
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Don S. on June 22, 2011, 10:19:14 am
Yahoo Message Number: 72135 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72135)
Roger,

I installed the Lifeline 8D AGM's back in 2004. I do do some boondocking and I run a freezer in the basement. I can say, without a doubt, you will be very happy with the Lifelines. I can go to bed with a 95% charge and in the late morning still be at 89-90%. They are trouble free and I would purchase them again.
Back in '04 I paid 290 each, I think they are in the 600 range now but are worth it to me. I have probably saved 600 bucks worth of ruined, acid splattered clothes!

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Larry F on June 22, 2011, 12:10:22 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72142 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72142)
I don't know how suited the AGMs are for chassis (engine) batteries, but I've used AGMs for house batteries since 2004 (same ones) and am really happy with them.

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: C Marshall on June 22, 2011, 12:20:58 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72144 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72144)
I like AGM batteries also, even though they do require a little different programming from the charger

and learning to deal with their depletion, as its not linear like lead acid. Seems to drop faster to a

plateau but then maintains that plateau much longer. The battery compartment tray and surrounding

support metal work abuse is much less with AGM batteries. And as long as Paul does the installation

and removal at Les Schwab, I'm OK. Just don't ask me to heft one of those 8d's!!!! TWI 2004 Intrigue
11731

Original Message:
-----------------

From: Larry F larry.feather@... (larry.feather@...) Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:10:19 -0000 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Chassis batteries

I don't know how suited the AGMs are for chassis (engine) batteries, but I've used AGMs for house

batteries since 2004 (same ones) and am really happy with them.

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Lee Zaborowski on June 22, 2011, 01:52:14 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72147 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72147)
Well, lets remember that Roger is talking chassis batteries.
Given all that has been said, IMHO the best choice would be the maintenance free type batteries [valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA) battery], which is what CC put in my CC 2007 Intrigue. No mess, carefree, not too expensive.

Lee Z
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Lee Zaborowski on June 22, 2011, 07:17:31 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72155 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72155)
Tom, I mean no disrespect, but if you sent Roger a personal message, why do you need to burden 3,000 others with that post of information.

Just wondering why I need to know that?

--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Tom on June 22, 2011, 07:48:58 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72156 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72156)
Lee,

Last week I sent an e-mail through the forum and it got bounced, but was the correct address and appeared to be a problem within Yahoo. Should have done a PM instead, didn't realize it was an issue.

I deleted the post.
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Don S. on June 22, 2011, 10:45:21 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 72162 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72162)
Lee and all,

Before I replaced my 8D's, I talked to one of the guys at Lifeline and inquired about using them for a starting battery. He said that they were designed for and are used in turbine aircraft as starting batteries. Starting a turbine is a little more severe that a quick crank of a diesel. I have been using a Lifeline as a chassis battery right along with the house side since '04.
One thing I forgot to mention about the AGM is that the recharge time is about 50% faster than a lead acid and the self discharge is much less.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
Title: Re: Chassis batteries
Post by: Dan Fahrion on June 23, 2011, 07:18:55 am
Yahoo Message Number: 72169 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/72169)
Roger

I switched to AGM for the same reason as Fred.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348