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Battey Replacement Help

Yahoo Message Number: 89186
Greetings CC Group members,

I plan to replace my house batteries when traveling in Oregon next month. I have two 8D Maintenance Free Caterpillar Batteries that are maintenance free (no caps). The Cat batteries have been working well for the house-side but are now 7 years old.
I like the size of the 8D battery; it is a perfect fit. If I go with 6V batteries I would need to make a lot of changes in mounting and cables.
My research shows that the Cat battery is really not a deep cycle battery and I don't need the high (cold weather) CCA but consisting it has done the job I would buy the same Cat again if the price was right.
Can anyone advise on a battery vender in Oregon (I will be in Salem and Eugene working my way south) and/or recommend a replacement?

Thank you,

Randy

32' CC Intrigue

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89202
Hi Randy - I believe I've recall reading posts where members have had Les Schwab install batteries, might be worth a call.

http://www.lesschwab.com/
We have the CAT MF, recommended by a CC board member for the high CCA and MF is great, as our chassis battery. For the house battery we wanted more AH's capacity, so with the help of board member Tom, we installed 4 L16's in the place of the 2 old 8D's. Fit well, and yes we did have to swap out cables with this change over too. Tom can arrange shipping, so perhaps contact with him to arrange delivery to a shop along your way. Lifeline are not the lowest cost choice, but coupled with a MF CAT Chassis - it provides a very long term gas free battery compartment)!
Best of luck on your decisions, and I bet others might have good recommendations on other shops. I wonder how close you will be to Kevin Waite? A call to him my be time well spent too...

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89207
Randy,

Take a look at Lifeline deep cycle batteries, they won't be the cheapest but will serve you well if charged properly. When installed make sure that your charger is set to charge AGM batteries, the charging voltage is slightly higher than regular batteries.
Never allow the batteries to dip below a 50 percent charge and you should enjoy long battery life.

Happy Roads

Terry

08 Affinity 6837

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89262
Les Schwab installed Dekka AGM batteries in our coach. I don't know that they sell other brands.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Entry step problem

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89268
Does anyone know if a partly extended entry step will prevent a coach from moving. Mine has been damaged and will not retract 100%, so still shows a "step extended" warning light. I can't get it repaired where I'm at and would appreciate any help on the subject.

The main issue is WILL the coach move?

We're in Carson City Nv.

Jim Hodges

2007 Inspire 360
51969

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89269
The only switch on the step is connected to a "step out" indicator on the dash. MH should move.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89270
Is it for sure structurally damaged or could it be just dirty? I removed my pan underneath the steps and cleaned it up and used WD40 and it now closes all the way. Used to stick out about an inch or less and the dash light would be on most the time.

Doug/aaamarine
'05 Allure 430

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89271
Yes the coach will move, just be careful. You should be able to muscle it in somehow.

Jim 07 Allure #31570

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89272
Mine went down the interstate just fine with the step all the way out! (until a truck driver got me to pull over)

Good luck!
Boyd May

2000 Affinity

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89275
A couple years ago my steps wouldn't retract. My coach went down the road no problem. The malfunction was due to a wire breaking in the wiring harness that goes from the door jam into the door. I ended up disassembling the step brackets and duct taping them closed until I got home.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89283
Our step extended warning light has been on (when the step was retracted) and the coach moved fine. It was the contacts on the door. I don't think it will stop you from moving. I would try it for a few feet.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89287
OK, I guess I'll limp on home and start removing the step. Thanks to all who responded.

Jim H

2007 Inspire
51969

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89294
Hi All,

I am confused (not hard to do), or there is a typo. Some folks are replaciing 2-8D Battries with 4-L16 Battries. Everything I can find on the L16 battery is they are 1-Cell, 2-Volt Battries.
I cant figure it out, can someone give me a clue and send me in the right direction. Also, I checked my Battery Slide Tray that has 2-8D's and 4-6-Volt batteries will not fit. Maybe different set up than others.

Thanks for you input, drive safe and take care,

Chris

2003 42" CC Magna Resort

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89299
Chris,

Tom's post on Lifeline batteries and the link..
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvdeepcyclebatteries.php does show the L16's also in 6 volt. Same size and weight and it would require some wiring configuration. I looked into installing them in my 05 Inspire but they were too tall. They are robust but fit is critical. I now have an Intrigue and would consider them when the 8D's need replacement.
Also, another post about Deka batteries is a consideration. good luck,

John

08 Intrigue #12235
10 Ford Escape

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89300
Hi Chris,

I'll reconfirm what John said. I have four L16 6V sitting where my two 8D's used to be. They provide 800AH capacity.
If you have any questions on batteries, Tom is a straight shooter, and shares his knowledge. Toss him a call, and talk over any questions you have.
One thing to determine, is if you need more capacity? If not, then two Lifeline 8D's may take care of you. For us, we wanted more Boon Docking capability. I also like the extra safety the larger capacity of battery banks provided. I expect a 8-10 year life, and amortized the costs over that period it was not too much for the extra capacity.
Any competent RV shop will be able to install these for you. A few extra cables and strapping them down attachments are involved, but nothing major. (I did go ahead and have them clean and recoat my wire grid flooring at the same time. As the AGM's and CAT 8D Maint Free battery should eliminate all gassing for the future.)

Have fun, and best of luck!
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Entry step problem

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89308
Hi Jim,

I had a previous 98 Intrigue with the same problem.. damaged step, stayed out about an inch all it's life. Sometimes the motor would hang and we wouldn't notice that it was all the way out. Go ahead and drive it to where you can get it fixed.

Terry Ray

08 Affinity 6837
 

Re: Battey Replacement Help

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89313
Thank you Tom for the help, now I get it . . . ! When I did a Search for L-16's it returned the L-16 2V 1-Cell as opposed to the L-16 6V 3 Cell Battery.
I think the L-16 2V is a common battery in the I n C Solar Market Segment which is a more common hit than the RV market, hence the search results.
Thanks again for the additional information which cleared things up for me.

Take care and be safe out there.

Chris

Swift/Cosworth .016a
2003 Magna