Yahoo Message Number: 75848 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75848)
We have a Affinity 730 , 2006 with 8D wet cells house batteries. Do not know which is best to use when replacing... any suggestions? AGM or Wet Cell?
thanks,
hugs,
amy
Yahoo Message Number: 75851 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75851)
It generally depends on a few variables.
1 The size of your wallet
2 your battery maintenance habits
3 your location (proximity to suppliers) 4 you shopping skills
Bob Wexler
SOB Lifeline AGM
Yahoo Message Number: 75853 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75853)
Amy,
I agree with Bob. There is quite a bit of good to say about AGM's as they are almost maintenance free (only need to keep the terminals clean) and technically they will accept a higher charge if you run them quite low then they will charge back up a little quicker. I bought the Lifeline AGM 6 Volts because of the location access and so I could relax a little about the maintenance while in storage. Not sure that it makes up for the expense though.
John
05 Inspire
#51399
Yahoo Message Number: 75859 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75859)
John
There is also the issue of corrosive gases when the batteries are recharging. If you do a lot of drying camping and therefore more recharging the problem is compounded.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348 (AGM)
Yahoo Message Number: 75860 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75860)
Dan, what are those corrosive gases when the batteries are recharging, as you have said?
Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 75862 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75862)
There are many brands of AGM battery's. I installed the 8D Lifeline AGMs in Jan of '04 and they are still like new. They charge quick, very little self discharge, and require zero upkeep.
Prices vary a lot os do some on line shopping.
Don
'02 Intrigue #11427
Yahoo Message Number: 75863 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75863)
How do you know they are just like new?
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75864 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75864)
Lee,
I will raise my ahnd on that one. The answer to that is...opps. Hydrogen is the gas, which is explosive so it needs to be ventilated away from sparks or flames and is not corrosive. The sulfuric acid is part of the liquid in the battery that can over flow or bubble out of the vents and is highly corrosive. Do I get an 'A' Lee?
Dallas 2004 intrigue 11688 c12
Yahoo Message Number: 75867 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75867)
Yahoo Message Number: 75868 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75868)
Lee
Those corrosive gases are the ones that rot your battery trays and battery tray slides.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348
Yahoo Message Number: 75869 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75869)
Hi Dallas,
Any Science Teacher would have a problem with the 'corrosive gases' comment, as Sulfuric Acid is a liquid which causes all the corrosion, which you've acknowledged with the oops and an excellent explanation. Indeed, you get an 'A' Dallas.
It may seem like hair splitting, but there is already too much 'bad science' in the world, no sense adding to it.
I find the care and feeding of wet cells rather easy to do and would rather spend the money saved on my choice of best tires, but that's just me.
Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 75872 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75872)
Amy,
The benefits of Lifeline AGM Batteries are maintenance free, longer life, 5 year warranty and you won't have acid/corrosion destroying your battery bay compartment and trays. They are more expensive than lead acid, but you get what you pay for.
Tom
Lifeline Batteries (http://trans-specialists.net)
1997 Prevost
Yahoo Message Number: 75877 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75877)
I think batteries are like any other appliance in you RV. AGM batteries are "better" and they cost more, a hot water heating system (AquaHot) is "better" than a propane fired forced air system but costs more. This is the case with just about every component of your RV.
From what I have read, on the subject of AGM or lead acid batteries, the advantages of AGM are slightly exaggerated. I have never owned AGM batteries so I can't give a personal experience. It seems most AGM users state the advantage of AGMs is no maintenance or corrosion. IMO, the corrosion problem, associated with lead acid batteries, can be solved by "not" overfilling. I keep the water level just above the battery plates and I get no corrosion. Now, this requires a little more attention but it is no big deal. It seems most battery water adding systems, even bottles, fill them too high. I don't use them.
I have a problem believing AGM will last longer than lead acid that are properly maintained. The "get what you pay for" statement is often quoted when discussing anything that is controversial. An automatic TV dish is much better than one that is manual. They cost more but you "get what you pay for". A diesel powered MH is better, they cost more, but "you get what you pay for". I could go on but I think you get the picture. Please don't slam me too hard, it's just my opinion.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75879 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75879)
Jim,
To add to what you are saying not over filling is important but probably more important is not charging them with to high of a amperage causing them to outgas and splatter. Interstate Batteries recommends nine amps for each lead acid 8D battery.
Kevin Burns
2000 Affinity #5865
Yahoo Message Number: 75882 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75882)
Jim:
What do you use to fill the batteries?
Gil B
'05 Inspire
51322
Yahoo Message Number: 75884 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75884)
First I wanted to apologize to Dan. He was not really wrong, the subsequent exchange only clarified Dan's more general statement. To the RV owner it sure acts like a corrosive gas, but is actually a mixture of hydrogen gas (which can possibly be explosive) and a sulfuric acid mist (definitely corrosive). This wasn't meant to be a test, Dallas was just hungry for an 'A.' ;-))
One easy way to deal with the occasional wet cell acid bubble over is to spray on and around the batteries with a baking soda solution (just dissolve some grocery store baking soda in water) in a plastic spray bottle and keep handy with your other 'cleaning stuff.' Spray until the bubbling stops. What is left is water and some harmless salts. Then hose down the whole bay and air dry.
Since the battery bays that start out with wet cell batteries that I've seen are a metal frame with holes, the harmless water/salt solution will drain out on the ground. It seems that once you neutralize the acid with the baking soda solution your situation is no different then with AGM batteries in a former wet cell bay - a wet battery bay, just like every time you drive on wet roads that get dirty from road grim that you need to hose down.
Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 75887 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75887)
Gil,
The easiest and cheapest device is a turkey baster. You can also use a regular battery water filler bottle but that requires careful attention. I prefer the baster.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75891 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75891)
Load test!
Don
'02 Intrigue #11427
Yahoo Message Number: 75892 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75892)
The brand is LifeLine made by Concord.
Don
'02 Intrigue #11429
Yahoo Message Number: 75895 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75895)
Even easier is the small water bottles with the "sports" tips that push out. They are the perfect size, can be sealed shut and offer more control than a turkey baster (and more capacity!)
IMO,
Mark
Yahoo Message Number: 75902 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75902)
Gil,
I keep an empty 64 oz. V-8 bottle clean and in the storage bay. It has indentations on the side that make for a comfortable and can handle enough volume to fill a needy cell. I fill it about 1/3 full with distilled water at a time.
I check the batteries about once a month when the coach is in storage - more frequently when under way. I agree with Lee's baking soda suggestion - I've been spraying down the bay several times a year.
I recently replaced the five year old bank of six 6-volt house batteries and it would have cost 3 times as much to install AGM's so I replaced them with flooded. I did not feel comfortable with that additional cost.
Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043
Yahoo Message Number: 75909 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75909)
Don,
I'm not trying to be a smart a--. How do you do a load test.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75910 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75910)
Mark,
Glad to hear, will look into that.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75911 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75911)
James, the easiest way is to go to a FMCA function where there are battery vendors and have them do it. Or, you can purchase equipment and do it yourself.
Here is a site that talks about battery testing. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/rapid_testing_portable_batteries (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/rapid_testing_portable_batteries)
Don
'02 Intrigue #11427
Yahoo Message Number: 75913 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75913)
Lots of good info here. Two years ago I replaced my wonderful AGM's with nasty wet cell batteries. While I admit to not being a maintenance person, it was a huge mistake. Lots of maintenance and a huge mess destroying my battery compartment. Never again! DBradley 04 Intrigue #11830
Yahoo Message Number: 75919 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75919)
Jim
I have 4 8D batteries that are in trays that don't slide out. I can't even imagine getting by head into a position where I can see the battery plates.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348 (AGM)
Yahoo Message Number: 75924 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75924)
I guess I feel the same way. There are at least two ways to accomplish a task. Do it your self or pay someone to do it for you. In this case you are paying the battery manufacturer. I certainly agree there is some attention required to maintain your wet cell battery compartment. But IMO, that is miniscule. I believe the best preventive measure is making sure the fill level is correct to prevent corrosion. IMO opinion that means just enough to keep the plates covered.
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75925 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75925)
DBradley,
Forgot to ask, how old were your AGMs when you replaced them?
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75927 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75927)
I just went though this process recently at Carrier & Sons. My wet cell cranking battery died during my almost 2 years of non use of the coach. After some discussion with Carrier & Sons, I decided to go with a AGM battery as a replacement for my wet cell cranking battery. I believe it was approx. $200 more expensive for the AGM. I went with the AGM because I'm still working and don't always have the time to take care of these things like I should. It was worth the piece of mind and I can afford the extra money for the AGM. If really is a personal preference as to which one to get.
Note: My wet cell cranking battery lasted for about 6 years and my house AGM batteries are still going strong after 8 years (since when I bought the coach new).
Rick Barnette,
Fulltiming in a 2004 Allure, 31018
Yahoo Message Number: 75937 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75937)
Well that presents a problem. How do you fill your batteries? I suppose you have to use one of those bottles that will stop filling when the water reaches the spout. Do you have room for that?
Jim E
Yahoo Message Number: 75940 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75940)
I just replaced the 6 AGM batteries in my 07 Magna. I was starting to have some issues with the coach and I'm glad I changed. When I removed the 6 batteries I noticed that one was expanded and the positive terminal was partly broken. The batteries were DEKA 8D. I searched the net and found 6 Lifeline replacement batteries for $570 each and $200 for drop ship from a warehouse in North Carolina to my shop in Florida. There probably is a better deal, but I couldn't find it.
John Bennett
6751
Yahoo Message Number: 75942 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75942)
Dan, Jim take that stop-fill-spout off the big quart jug. Find a multi-vitamin type plastic pill container, with the same cap treads. Thread the stop-fill-spout on to the pill container and cut the bottom off the multi-vitamin type plastic pill container. Invert, so the bottomless pill container is upside-down, above the stop-fill-spout.
You are good to go with a small dispenser of distilled water that is measured into the battery cells without sticking your head in the battery bay.
Works for me.
Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 75948 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/75948)
Sorry you missed me John, I sure could have saved you some money. I'm in the links section.
Tom
Lifeline Batteries (http://trans-specialists.net)
97 Prevost