Yahoo Message Number: 87185 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87185)
Hello I called Les Schwab in JC and got prices on replacing my one chassis and two coach 8D batteries. They have HD 1400 CCA available and also 225 AH Deep Cycle also. I am not replacing my gel batteries with same, but going all wet cell.
The guy on the phone reccommended that I go all HD and not use Deep Cycle in my coach. He said that is what they are doing these days.
I very rarely do any dry camping so just wondering what the groups reaction is as I always thought deep cycle was best for coach batteries?
Let me know your thoughts?
thanks
Gerald Brawley
Intrigue 2003 #11651
Yahoo Message Number: 87186 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87186)
HD for chassis.
If not much dry camping, go with 4 or 6 golf cart batteries. I would go with 6 for 'just in case' times.
Deep cycle for house.
Good luck,
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 87198 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87198)
Previous owner of my coach had starter batteries for the house. Even with just overnight boondocking they were awful. They are now on chassis duty and are fine.
I would not hesitate to use deep cycle as starters but I would never use start batteries for the house.
George
'03 Magna 6298
Yahoo Message Number: 87214 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87214)
Use deep cycle for coach batteries. You will get better service. I perfer the Trojan T-145 golf cart batteries (paired 6v) and a good 8D start battery that can be obtained at Sam's. Some do not like wet cell batteries. But I do not mind doing the maintenance. To each his own.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
Yahoo Message Number: 87235 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87235)
How do the Golf Cart Batteries fit in the space ? Do 2 six volt golf cart batterys equal one 12 volt 8 D in space? I have Trojan batteries in my yamaha golf cart and really like em.
Wonder if there is space to use 6 trojans in the bay that holds 2 8 Ds? Any other changes need in inverter etc? I can easily handle gc batts but 8 Ds are getting a bit heavy for me these days.
thanks
Jerry
Yahoo Message Number: 87241 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87241)
Two 6V's will fit where one 8D fits. But if you go back a bit further around two weeks ago, or try searching, I think it was George (could have that wrong, thus 'think':)!) found a 6V battery with just a little smaller foot print. He was able to replace his two 8D's with 3 pairs of 6V, for a I think it was a 750 or so Amp Hour bank....
Or, if staying with normal Trojan 6V's, the T125 or T145 will fit everywhere the T105's will. The cost more, but again you pick up more Amp Hours each time you add more lead... T145's are a good battery.
Best of luck,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 87252 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87252)
Need to remember that the battery compartment needs to be well vented to ensure you do not have a build up of explosive gases in the battery compartment. I use 4 T145's in place of 2 8D's and they fit inside the battery tray. There are a number of photos in the file and older discussions on the subject.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
Yahoo Message Number: 87255 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87255)
Jim,
You are right about batteries requireing ventilation but I don't think any Country Coach has an inadequately vented battery storage bay.
Smitty is right. I replaced 2 8D batteries in a storage tray with 6 USBattery 145 XC2 6 volts batteries. Is was tight but they fit in the tray. I guess I'll have to take a picture and post it.
The specific batteries I used are slightly smaller in width and height than are golf cart batteries. They are also taller and have more capacity at 251 AH. Below is a link to the battery specs.
http://www.usbattery.com/usb_us145xc.html (http://www.usbattery.com/usb_us145xc.html)
George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
Yahoo Message Number: 87256 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87256)
I meant smaller in length and width but taller. Sorry for my confusing error.
George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
Yahoo Message Number: 87257 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87257)
George,
That is great you were able to keep the batteries withing the footprint of the battery tray. I was only able to get 4 T145 Trojan's @260AH each within the tray. Abiut same footprint and just a little shorter. I fully expect my batteries will soon need replacing after 7 years of service. Would like to see your installation how the 6 were arrange to fit within the tray. I have seen some coaches not only fill the tray, but also put batteries on the grate area behind the tray. Thus, covering all the bottom vent areas. I have seen as many as 8 6v batteries put in the compartment.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
Yahoo Message Number: 87274 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87274)
Thanks Guys for the feedback, I would love to see a pic of how the batteries were wired and how they fit in the space for 2 8Ds.
Thanks
Gerald Brawley
11651
Yahoo Message Number: 87276 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87276)
See the "battery balance" PDF in the files section of this group for an excellent discussion and drawings.
Herb
CCO Group Moderator
Yahoo Message Number: 87279 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87279)
I have added a photo of my battery tray. It is named Battery Configuration.
photos/album/1374000342/pic/list (http://photos/album/1374000342/pic/list)
George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
Yahoo Message Number: 87285 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87285)
Thanks for posting the picture Jerry
Yahoo Message Number: 87228 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/87228)
Cold cranking batteries will not recharge near as many times as deep cycle batteries. I wouldn't believe any thing that guy tells you if he thinks you should use cc batteries. I agree with the Trojans, they may be a more expensive than other brands, but they will last longer.
Price batteries at a number of other places and use one that knows what they are talking about regarding batteries.
My experience has been our 14 years as full-timers including boondocking for as many as 4 months at a time.
Gene Merryman
2006 Intrigue
CC #12005