Yahoo Message Number: 26845 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26845)
This subject has probably been discussed countless times before but...
Being a new moho owner, I neglected to check my batteries. Wound up with house batteries that were almost dry before I discovered the problem.
Long story short. I replaced two 8D deep cycle batteries for $385 out the door. Batteries have 1750 CA, 1425 CCA and 425 RC@25 amps. Did I do OK or did I pay too much.
Thanks
DougC
94 Magna Caprice
FTWB
Yahoo Message Number: 26873 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26873)
I'll say you paid too much. I recently replaced mine two 8D's with the same. My numbers are the same as yours. I purchased them at Sam's Club for $125 each. They are Champion brand. Seem to work good.
Mike
'95 Intrigue 10061
but...
up
out
Did I
Yahoo Message Number: 26876 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26876)
From the description you gave, I do not think you have true deep cycle batteries. A true deep cycle battery does not have a CCA rating. That is usually assigned to a engine starting battery. You may have a hybrid or marine type that will last about half the cycles that a true deep cycle such as a golf cart battery will last.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
but...
up
out
Did I
Yahoo Message Number: 26886 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26886)
Jim, you are correct as there are no CCA ratings for a true deep cycle battery. What the rating is on deep cycle is reserve amps. Unfortunately the battery gets the bad rap as "no good" when it doesn't pre form up to buyer expectations. In reality the correct battery was not purchased for the intended application. And so it goes.
AL
00 affinity #5851
Yahoo Message Number: 26896 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26896)
Jim,
I think that I am going to have to disagree with you here. Doug's 8D batteries each have a reserve capacity of 425 minutes at 25 amps and 12 volts. That is the same rating method that is used for deep cycle.....Go look at the Trojan battery web page. So with two 8D's in parallel, that will yield 850 minutes (or 14 hours) at 25 amps.
That is a pretty good amount of available power for most of us.
You'd be hard pressed to match that level of output from a series- parallel Trojan 6 volt golf cart battery set up, for under $600.
Now Doug's, and my, batteries are wet cell. It is a known fact that these are not the greatest of batteries. The battery guy, at Battery Bills here in Sacramento, told me that I would be lucky to get 3 years out of the wet cell 8D....and that is about what I got with my last set.
Anyway....In my opinion, Doug will be fine with those 8D's.
Mike
'95 Intrigue 10061
You
cycles
Wound
the
$385
Yahoo Message Number: 26900 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26900)
Well, I'm in the camp that says Doug has the wrong battery for the intended application.
I do think that the cranking batteries he installed will work, but with a somewhat reduced life.
A starter battery will have more, but thinner plates that is designed to produce that big burst of energy to start that big motor on a cold morning.
House batteries (golf cart type) will have fewer, but thicker plates which is designed to take a lot of abuse over a long period of time.
Speaking of replacement batteries, your next battery just might be a Caterpillar. Well, actually Caterpillar Corp. has spun off a company called firefly energy (www.fireflyenergy.com (http://www.fireflyenergy.com)). These batteries are very light weight and will take a charge seven times faster than current batteries. Maybe a few years away.
Jim
2005 Inspire 51225
Yahoo Message Number: 26901 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26901)
Hi Folks,
Some facts: RC, CCA, etc are ways of defining battery capacity. The original defination is Amp-Hour rating at a 20 amp discharge rate.
Dividing CCA by 5.8 gives a close number for Amp-Hours.
The are two kinds of batteries - deep cycle and starting. Look at Files batterycost3jp.gif for comparison information.
My house 8Ds are 6 years 4 mos old and have 80% capacity left.
I bought a new starting battery this year - Interstate 8D-MHD (220 AH) for $175 in California. Floated wet cell batteries have the best cost to life ratio. Trojan T105,T125 are also a good replacement for house use.
Fred Kovol
"Mike Brundage" wrote:
Yahoo Message Number: 26915 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26915)
QUOTE; 'I bought a new starting battery this year - Interstate 8D-MHD (220 AH)for $175 in California'
Fred, that's the exact same battery I just bought here in Florida for the same price $(173).
Larry, 03 Allure #30856
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cost
house
Doug's
amps
deep
8D's
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that
to
got
deep
battery.
the
last.
Yahoo Message Number: 26980 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26980)
AGM = Absorbed Glass Mat.
Batteries are just like every other retail item out there. Big money USUALLY means a better battery. El cheapo USUALLY means just that. I am somewhat of a "cheap charlie" so my batteries are two Sams Club 8D's for $125 each. They work well for what I do. They may not last 5 years....but I am willing to deal with that.
Mike
'95 Intrigue 10061
Yahoo Message Number: 27413 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27413)
Thanks Jim and Mike, for your comments.
I have done some additional research and learned the following: The batteries I purchased were manufactured in Kentuckey by Superior Battery. They were originally developed for the highway construction folks to power their various warning signs....pretty deep cycle if u asked me. They are the normal 8D dimensions except they are a full 10" high and weigh 134 lbs each. They have a RC of 450 @ 25 amps and 520 @ 20 amps. For those who expressed doubts about deep cycle on some of the earlier posts, I think the above info should put that question to rest. The cranking amps are provided for those who feel a need to know.
The batteries have a fiber glass mat next to each positive plate.
The mat is intended to hold in place any PbSO4 crystals that form on the plates and minimize their dropping to the bottom of the battey, thus enhancing their ability to redisolve durnig the charging cycle and extend the life of the batteries.
I made some measurements on the batteries and then talked to customer service at Superior. They tell me that it is best to maintain the batteries about 3/4" below the fill rings using distilled water. So I have modified my battery filler bottle to maintain this level. It maintains aobut 1.5" of electrolyte above the top of the plates.
Based on the excellent customer service I received from Superior, and the calculations I've done regarding the RC of these batteries, I feel conficent that I have installed some of the best available house batteries PROVIDING I maintain them proberly.
As to the use of mineral oil in the batteries....based on their reasearch...Superior does not recommend it. In my opinion, it is not all that difficult to simply check and refill the batteries using distilled water during the warmer months of the year. A the same time I can remove any corrosion on the terminals and clean the battery compartment.
DougC
'94 Magna 5072
amps
deep
8D's
amps.
that
Yahoo Message Number: 27414 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27414)
Hi Mike,
My understanding is that AGM batteries represent an improvement over standard wet cell batteries. However. they need to be more closely controlled on the charging cycle. Thus the inverter/charger on your coach may not be suitable for AGM batteries.
DougC
Yahoo Message Number: 27415 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27415)
Well Al, some ppl expect to see a CCA rating for a battery whether it is meaningful or not so the manufactures provide a number to satisfy the customer. And in some cases it may be meaningful as the 8D batteries are often used in highway construction equipment which do need some CCA on occasion.
DougC
94 Magna 5072
Yahoo Message Number: 27416 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27416)
You said it all, Skip.
You said "if you do battery maintenance properly the incremental cost of AGM batteries are not worth it". Plus, unless you have a very late model inverter/charger, it may not be able to properly charge AGM batteries. I eared the hard way. Now I know. It only takes a couple of minutes to maintain the batteries properly. Live and learn.
DougC
can get from SAMs. They work as well and their capacity is about the same... perhaps a little more. They don't have vent caps and are less messy to keep clean. I'll let one of the more technical folks tell what AGM stands for.
incremental cost of AGM batteries are not worth it. But, that is my personal opinion. If I had the disposable income to buy them I would, simply because they are truly maintenance free.
this year.
our 98 Intrigue last fall and have verified from the previous owner that the batteries are original. Is this very unusual? If I am to replace them what type should I consider? What do the gelcell batteries cost? Are they more reliable? Are they worth it? What does the AGM initials stand for? Mike and Marg Keogh
Yahoo Message Number: 27417 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27417)
Jim,
you might want to take a look at the info in my response to an earlier post. The batteries I installed are with out a doubt, deep cycle batteries. They will last a long time if I maintain them properly.
DougC
Yahoo Message Number: 27418 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27418)
Hey Al
As my supplier told me, ppl expect to see CCA on a battery along with RC even if it is not meaningful. So they provide both. One just has to be smart enough to understnand the difference and make their purchase accordingly. I think I made the right decision. If you need any help with your next battery purchhase, feel free to ask me.
DougC
Yahoo Message Number: 27423 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/27423)
Keep in mind when figuring out battery capacity, that for maximum battery life, it is better not to discharge more than 50%.
So even if a set of batteries can provide '14 hours' of power, you may want to try not to use more than 7 hours before recharging whenever practical.
John 04 Inspire 51078
Doug's