Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries (Read 3129 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Yahoo Message Number: 35486
To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there about 8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically and they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte through their vents, causing a corrosion problem.

I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type) versions but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.
OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older coach is not the right type for AGM batteries.

A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the far cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often. That wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like to go back to deep cycle.

Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so. When stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries and then all of them stay up fine.

Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of the battery compartment or charger, what would you all recommend?

Thanks
Dan

Allure #30180

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35489
I replaced both my house and chassis batteries this past June, with Interstate batteries. They had both regular and deep cycle. The deep cycle were $210 each, and the starting batteries were $165 each.
All four batteries are the 8-D size.

Wayne

93 Magna 4991

Quote from: mainecoons0

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35490
I have been using 8D's now for years. At Sam's Club they are around 120 bucks each. First set lasted about 5 years and the new ones have been in around 3 years now with no problems. Your right the house charger does not charge the chassis battery on these coaches.
While in storage I just hook up a small 2 amp trickle charger and everything is great/ ron 98 allure 30185

wasallmb wrote

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35491
Wayne, would you happen to know what the model numbers were of those batteries? The Interstate people are saying that the deep cycle battery is a special order item at about $400 each. Is it possible that you used the "heavy duty" battery for deep cycle?

Thanks.
Dan

Allure #30180

Quote from: wasallmb

> I replaced both my house and chassis batteries this past June, with > Interstate batteries. They had both regular and deep cycle. The > deep cycle were $210 each, and the starting batteries were $165

each.

Quote
All four batteries are the 8-D size.

Wayne

93 Magna 4991

[quote author=mainecoons0"

>

> To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there

about

Quote
8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the > > previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are > > really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically

and

Quote
they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte

through

Quote
their vents, causing a corrosion problem.
>

> I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but > > specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these > > anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type)

versions

Quote
but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.
>

> OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older

coach

Quote
is not the right type for AGM batteries.
>

> A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the

far

Quote
cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often.

That

Quote
wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage > > capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like

to

Quote
go back to deep cycle.
>

> Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the > > chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so.

When

Quote
stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries

and

Quote
then all of them stay up fine.
>

> Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of

the

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35494
Hi Dan, I replaced my two AGM's (8D) with four Trojan T105's (golf cart batteries) connected in series/parallel. One of the AGM's had a bad cell and would not hold a charge, tried an equalization charge but it didn't help. The T105's seem to be doing quite well

Earl Densten

03 Intrigue 11554

Quote from: mainecoons0
To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there

about

Quote
8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the > previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are > really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically

and

Quote
they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte

through

Quote
their vents, causing a corrosion problem.

I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but > specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these > anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type) versions > but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.

OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older

coach

Quote
is not the right type for AGM batteries.

A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the far > cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often.

That

Quote
wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage > capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like

to

Quote
go back to deep cycle.

Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the > chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so. When > stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries

and

Quote
then all of them stay up fine.

Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of

the

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35496
-
Dan,

Item# Item Description
AIB02213 USRM-8DA

The above are what is suppose to be deep cycle The following are my two chassis batteries

AIB01906 8D-XHD

I hope I wasn't mis-led.

Wayne

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35502
Dan,

We bought two new 12V, 8D, deep cycle batteries at the CC Albany Rally in July of this year, from Les Schwab. They were $180 each.
The previous Les Schwab 12V, 8D, deep cycle batteries were 6 1/2 years old. They didn't "die", just got weak and I wanted to buy them where we didn't have to pay sales tax. Hate WA 9% sales tax!

Brad Ward

2000 Magna 5916

Quote from: wasallmb
-

Dan,

Item# Item Description > AIB02213 USRM-8DA

The above are what is suppose to be deep cycle > The following are my two chassis batteries >

AIB01906 8D-XHD

I hope I wasn't mis-led.

Wayne

>

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35508
We just replaced the original batteries on our 02 Allure. The old Champion batteries were manufactured in June 01 and the coach was produced in November of 01. The batteries were still functioning, but the house batteries were dropping off faster than normal when dry camping.

It took some time to locate these, but we purchased Exide wet cells.
The starting battery is P8D1300C and cost $169, and the deep cycles are Exide Nautilus NG8D at $272 each. After getting 6 years service from the first set, we wanted to stay as similar as possible.

As a further note, Exide bought Champion several years ago.

Jim and Mary Jo Brown
2002 Allure 30778

Quote from: sno4us2
Dan,

We bought two new 12V, 8D, deep cycle batteries at the CC Albany > Rally in July of this year, from Les Schwab. They were $180 each.
The previous Les Schwab 12V, 8D, deep cycle batteries were 6 1/2 > years old. They didn't "die", just got weak and I wanted to buy

them

Quote
where we didn't have to pay sales tax. Hate WA 9% sales tax! >

Brad Ward

2000 Magna 5916

[quote author=wasallmb"

>
> -
>

> Dan,
>

> Item# Item Description > > AIB02213 USRM-8DA
>

> The above are what is suppose to be deep cycle > > The following are my two chassis batteries > >

> AIB01906 8D-XHD
>

> I hope I wasn't mis-led.
>

> Wayne
>
>
>
>

>

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35511
I replaced the two 8D storage batteries with four T105 Trojans also about three years ago. No complaints.

Dean 95 Magna 5280

Quote from: mainecoons0
To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there

about

Quote
8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the > previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are > really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically

and

Quote
they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte

through

Quote
their vents, causing a corrosion problem.

I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but > specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these > anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type) versions > but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.

OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older

coach

Quote
is not the right type for AGM batteries.

A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the far > cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often.

That

Quote
wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage > capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like

to

Quote
go back to deep cycle.

Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the > chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so. When > stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries

and

Quote
then all of them stay up fine.

Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of

the

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35513
You guys aren't going to believe how the deep cycle batteries have gone up in price, basically double. Being quoted $372 for Interstate USRM-8D, that's the deep cycle for the coach. 8D-XRM still reasonable, $150. The excuse given is the demand for lead caused by the Iraq war.
Dan

Allure #30180

Quote from: wasallmb
-

Dan,

Item# Item Description > AIB02213 USRM-8DA

The above are what is suppose to be deep cycle > The following are my two chassis batteries >

AIB01906 8D-XHD

I hope I wasn't mis-led.

Wayne

>

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35520
Do a search on Trojan T-105 or T-125 in this group and you will find some good discussion about it. I do alot of dry camping and stiil have the original Trojans in my coach I installed in 2003. They are still performing well even after a couple of 4 month trips to the desert southwest and and 6 months going to Alaska.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: mainecoons0
To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there

about

Quote
8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the > previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are > really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically

and

Quote
they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte

through

Quote
their vents, causing a corrosion problem.

I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but > specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these > anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type) versions > but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.

OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older

coach

Quote
is not the right type for AGM batteries.

A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the far > cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often.

That

Quote
wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage > capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like

to

Quote
go back to deep cycle.

Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the > chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so. When > stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries

and

Quote
then all of them stay up fine.

Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of

the

Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35522
For the absolute top end 8D battery, check out the Surette battery by Rolls. These are used aboard cruising motor yachts in very similar duty cycles to those on live aboard RVs, but under much more severe environmental conditions. I had four of these 8D's aboard our live aboard long range trawler for many years and had flawless performance from them. They'll run you $600- $800 each, plus shipping. Compare their specs with any others.....
Go to: http://www.rollsbattery.com/
Joe in Florida

2004 Allure 36' #31031

Check out CONSERVATIVE CLIPPINGSfor news you will NOT read on the mainstream media.

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35523
I have had, IMHO, great experience with Full River AGM batteries. In our '98 Intrigue the original Lifeline AGM failed in about 3 years.
Being on a tight budget at the time I replaced our LifeLine AGM's with "Full River" AGM's. in late 2000. Full River is a popular brand in the European Yachting community but is not well known here.
(Note: they are manfactured in China in case you have a problem with that).

They have a stronger better spec's than Lifeline and cost approx.
$150 less than Lifeline. They are available at DC Battery Specialists in Miami, Florida. They have a 5 year pro-rated warranty.

I am now on my second set of Full River batteries. Again, my original Lifeline Batteries lasted only 3 years. My first set of Full River batteries started to show a reduction in storage capacity after a little more than 5 1/2 years and I was on a trip back from the Florida Keys so I replaced them, perhaps a little early, while passing through Miami to avoid having to pay for shipping at a later date.

I am very much a "buy American" guy but there are times when practical reasoning takes over. My experience with LifeLine was not good and my experience with Full River has been very good. And the price was a real persuader.

If you are at all interested Full River can be found at http://www.dcbattery.com . By the way they also sell Lifeline (at very competitive prices) and many other special storage brands.
One negative is that they will not take your old batteries. You must dispose of them yourself. I found that most any truck stop will gladly take your old 8D's if they have any ability to put out 12 volts at all.

In fact, I sold my original weak Lifelines for $65.00 for the pair to a truckstop in Clewiston, FL (right next to the Clewiston, KOA) and they probably sold them to a trucker for that much each. I dropped off my old Full Rivers at a Flying J in Ft. Pierce, Fl and was supposed to come back to see what the manager would give me for them but I was headed north so I didn't bother coming back.

Joey & Debi

'98 Intrigue 10540

Quote from: mainecoons0
To preface, I went back two years and looked at what was there

about

Quote
8D batteries for the coach. My '98 Allure has two 8Ds which the > previous owner apparently used starting batteries on. These are > really inadequate for the serious dry camping we do periodically

and

Quote
they are the wet cell type that tend to give off electrolyte

through

Quote
their vents, causing a corrosion problem.

I first tried to find 8D wet cell types like I have now but > specifically designed for deep cycle. Can't seem to find these > anywhere. Can find plenty of the regular (starting type) versions > but the deep cycle ones seem to all be AGM.

OK even though expensive but apparently the charger on my older

coach

Quote
is not the right type for AGM batteries.

A battery guy told me that most RVers are just sticking in the far > cheaper starting type batteries and replacing them more often.

That

Quote
wouldn't be a problem but they just don't have enough storage > capacity for the way we use them when dry camping, hence I'd like

to

Quote
go back to deep cycle.

Also, is the charger on this older coach supposed to also keep the > chassis battery charged? Mine doesn't appear to be doing so. When > stored, I put a jumper on between the chassis and coach batteries

and

Quote
then all of them stay up fine.

Recognizing I don't want to get into a bunch of modifications of

the

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35524
I'm at Treetops RV Park in Arlington, TX (highly recommended!) and the guy next to me in a Newmar replaced his two 8Ds with four of the U2200 six volt Interstates wired in series of two each to get 12 volts.
Looking at the specs, it appears to me that this gives about the same capacity as the USRM 8D Interstates but at about half the cost and a lot easier to handle replacements and service.
He got them for about $90 each or $360 for four, a little less than the $375 cost being quoted for one USRM 8D.

Has anyone looked at this? I looked at the specs on the Interstate site but it is hard to equate the two since the specs are stated differently.
Dan

Allure#30180

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35525
Went back and looked at the RC specs again, the U2200 is cited to deliver 474@25 amps versus 455 for the USRM at 25 amps. It is considerably taller but the battery bay has plenty of clearance.

Am I correct in thinking from these numbers that the U2200 combo would actually deliver more capacity than the single USRMs? If so, this change would appear to be a no brainer.

Dan

Allure #30180

Quote from: mainecoons0
I'm at Treetops RV Park in Arlington, TX (highly recommended!) and

the

Quote
guy next to me in a Newmar replaced his two 8Ds with four of the > U2200 six volt Interstates wired in series of two each to get 12

volts.

Quote
>

Looking at the specs, it appears to me that this gives about the

same

Quote
capacity as the USRM 8D Interstates but at about half the cost and

a

Quote
lot easier to handle replacements and service.
> He got them for about $90 each or $360 for four, a little less than

the

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35526
Quote
I'm at Treetops RV Park in Arlington, TX (highly recommended!) and the >guy next to me in a Newmar replaced his two 8Ds with four of the >U2200 six volt Interstates wired in series of two each to get 12 volts.
http://www.universalpowergroup.com/products/products.aspx This company is just north of you in Carrollton, TX. They stock(manufacture/import/??) the following 8D AGM batteries http://www.batteryweb.com/ub_slavrla-detail-UB-8D%20AGM.htm Don't know anyone who has purchased them but I suspect they are manufactured in China, possibly the same as FullRiver, etc.

Tom Fisher
Dallas

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35559
Just a final note on my battery solution. I went with the four U2200 Interstate batteries, in two banks of two each wired in series. Had to get a couple of short battery cables made up by a place right around the corner from the Arlington, TX, Interstate battery shop.
These folks BTW were really helpful and even delivered the new batteries to my coach and picked up the cores, no charge.
Interstate Battery tech assistance confirmed that the U2200s provide basically the same capacity as the USRM and that people were making this substitution widely because the U2200 is readily available, the dimensions make it an easy change, and that the cost was about half.

Not to mention the fact that the U2200s are a whole lot easier to handle at 63 pounds than the USRM at 127 pounds.

Turns out, the guy I bought this coach from used relatively cheap starting batteries for the coach, hence their relatively short life when dry camping. I should have much better performance from the Interstates.

Next up is to install a digital voltmeter monitor in the coach so I can watch the voltage of the batteries better. This should really help make them last longer.

Thanks to all for their comments and suggestions!

Dan

Allure#30180

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35577
Just a note on my Lifeline 8D's. Two were bought Summer of 2000 and the chassis battery was bought in summer of '01. They are still going strong and when the coach is not on the road it is plugged into 50amp service at the house 24/7. I have had no problems with the batteries and have been able to dry camp for quite a long period without running the gen to recharge.
Egon

'98 Allure #30321
'02 Tahoe Z71

Quote from: mainecoons0

Re: Latest thinking on 8D coach batteries

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 35582
Do you have there web site address ? AL

00 affinity #5851