Yahoo Message Number: 40538 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40538)
In replacing 4 8D batteries, 2 for the chassis and 2 for the House, My battery supplier tells me that Deep Cycle Batteries are no longer made. (Hard for me to Believe). Everything I have learned in 30 years in the Marina business, and in Motorhoming has taught me that Deep Cycle must be used because of the frequent discharging and charging, of the house batteries. He tells me that regular batteries because they are now built with more and heavier plates and higher amp hour reserve (430) are now being used widely in Motor Coaches.. Would like to have comments from anyone in the forum on this subject. The 8D's that I am replacing had reg batteries for the chassis that lasted 2 1/2 years and 2 8D's Champion Deep Cycle on the House side that are 5 years old. Jbells 94 Concept 5111
Yahoo Message Number: 40543 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40543)
Sounds like he is trying to get rid of some of his stock and separate you from some money.
Found this link on another RV site, http://www.interstatebatteries.com/content/product_info/marine_f.asp?js=1 (http://www.interstatebatteries.com/content/product_info/marine_f.asp?js=1) it gives the specs of variuous Interstate batteries.
Interstate clearly still makes deep cycle specific batteries and I am pretty sure so do all the other major manufacturers.
Some more info from the same source: "1-8D battery is physically the same size as 3 Group 27 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Having 2-8D's is like having 6 Group 27 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Your reserve capacity is about 1,000 minnutes and the cost for 2-8D batteries is about $600.
Had 6-6Volt deep cycle Golf Cart (GC) batteries been used (2 each in series) you would have a RESERVE CAPACITY 3 TIMES GREATER, OR APROXIMATELY 3,000 MINNUTES reserve capacity."
Last time this topic was discussed I believe the wet cell batteries are still the most cost effective way to power a coach although they do require some attention to water levels. THe much more expensive fiberglass mat batteries are less trouble but that's the only serious advantage.
I am sure other opinions will be forthcoming.
Sam's and WalMart have good prices on wet cell 8D and GC batteries. The last time I looked I think the 8D was about $200 and the GC a bit over $50 but that was before the recent run up in transportation costs.
Bob Handren
'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL
Yahoo Message Number: 40547 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40547)
Bob,
Yes, you are right about the overall cost of batteries being more economical with flooded wet cell deep cycles but just one time of allowing the plates to be exposed to air will ruin them which negates any advantage. I too have had both kinds on board my boat for many years but because of a long storage without attention I had one battery in a bank destroyed which required replacing all batteries in that bank (all batteries in the bank should be exactly the same type and vintage). Another significant advantage, besides being lazy about checking water, is the fact that AGM (absorbed glass mat) gel batteries normally can be charged at a much higher amperage (not voltage) which means much less time running a genset. I have the original wet cells in my house bank now but when I replace them I'll go with something like the larger LifeLine 6 volt 300amp hr AGM's available at most marine centers.
Just a little more to think about!
John Pedersen
05 Inspire #51399
98 Explorer Sport/
04 Harley Ultra
separate you from some money.
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/content/product_info/marine_f.asp?js=1%c2%a0it (http://www.interstatebatteries.com/content/product_info/marine_f.asp?js=1%c2%a0it) gives the specs of variuous Interstate batteries.
am pretty sure so do all the other major manufacturers.
same size as 3 Group 27 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Having 2-8D's is like having 6 Group 27 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Your reserve capacity is about 1,000 minnutes and the cost for 2-8D batteries is about $600.
series) you would have a RESERVE CAPACITY 3 TIMES GREATER, OR APROXIMATELY 3,000 MINNUTES reserve capacity."
are still the most cost effective way to power a coach although they do require some attention to water levels. THe much more expensive fiberglass mat batteries are less trouble but that's the only serious advantage.
The last time I looked I think the 8D was about $200 and the GC a bit over $50 but that was before the recent run up in transportation costs.
My battery supplier tells me that Deep Cycle Batteries are no longer made. (Hard for me to Believe). Everything I have learned in 30 years in the Marina business, and in Motorhoming has taught me that Deep Cycle must be used because of the frequent discharging and charging, of the house batteries. He tells me that regular batteries because they are now built with more and heavier plates and higher amp hour reserve (430) are now being used widely in Motor Coaches.. Would like to have comments from anyone in the forum on this subject. The 8D's that I am replacing had reg batteries for the chassis that lasted 2 1/2 years and 2 8D's Champion Deep Cycle on the House side that are 5 years old. Jbells 94 Concept 5111
Yahoo Message Number: 40550 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40550)
Yup, I agree there are other advantages to the AGM batteries. My collector cars use them for the same reason you indicated - neglect while we are traveling in the CC. I keep up with the coach batteries faithfully but with what it costs to fill up the tank these days the prices for AGMs are looking less significant. Somewhere I came across a very reasonable Chinese 8D AGM battery. When the prices get more reasonable it will be a no brainer to dump the wet cells for AGMs.
Bob Handren
'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL
Yahoo Message Number: 40552 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40552)
You need a new battery supplier.
Look at lifeline and Trojan battery web sites two of the top brands for deep cycle RV batteries.
If I knew what part of the country you are in I might recommend a supplier.
Bob Wexler
SOB
Yahoo Message Number: 40556 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40556)
--BOB: Located on East Coast in MD near Elkton, 35 miles north of Aalt. Jbells 94 Concept 5111- In Country-Coach- Owners@yahoogroups.com (Owners@yahoogroups.com), "Bob Wexler" wrote:
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Yahoo Message Number: 40561 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40561)
They are still making the deep cycle battery. The info your supplier gave you is just not true.
Try NAPA and the part number is 8276 for 8 D deep cycle. 7271 for chassis 8 D starting. Good choice as the battery could be warranty or replaced any where , over 6000 stores in north America.
AL
00 affinity #5851
Yahoo Message Number: 40567 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40567)
I am from the west coast, so I don't have any MD connections other than (http://cid:image001.gif@01C9044A.774680D0)
right
right
888-474-4900
I did not check their price on batteries but what I did buy there was priced right.
Bob Wexler
SOB
right
Yahoo Message Number: 40575 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/40575)
Les Schwab is having A battery sale for the home coming rally. $465.00 for AMG I believe.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731