To all who've responded,
I immensely thank all of you for your expertise and, experience in the great "Battery" debate. As usual, there's lots of folks on here with quality experience in what works and what doesn't.
The 8D that I was talking about with the Interstate sales/tech, weighs right at 167 lbs. The size of it, in a foot print, would fit in my slide-out house battery tray and have approximately 1" of clearance all the way around which, is a good thing. Yes, at the time of the conversation, he did not know the actual "amp-hour" rating of it. He did know the weight and the CCA of 1125.
Now, maybe that particular one was not a true "deep cycle" 8D, I have no idea. Now, my four Costco ones that are over 4 years old, cost me, at the time, $89 each. And, they weigh right at, 67 lbs. each.
So, 4 x 67 lbs. = 268 lbs. And, 4 x $89.00 = $356.00 Now, that was then. And the latest quotes I've gotten so far are around $129.00 EACH for Decka 6V deep cycle Golf cart which are, 230 AH ones.
4 x $129.00 is $516.00 and, I'd have 460 AH. The 8D we talked about is 167 lbs. and, $245.00 and, is, from reports from most of you, around 225 to maybe 240 AH.
So, as I see it at the minute, I would have two benefits with the 8D.
1. $245.00 vs $516, ok, that's substantial
2. 167 lbs. vs 268 lbs., that's also substantial.
However, a severe bad point is, ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN POUNDS, in ONE battery. Yeowwwww!! It would be ME ONLY that would have to get that in there. Now, I can pick up 167 lbs. Not a problem. But, based on the logistics of the slide out battery tray, the angle of the semi-open bay door, the height of the tray to the ground (approximately) 30" or so, what ever kind of handles are on that particular battery, I think I'd kill myself trying to get it in there.
Sure, I'd save money. But, I'd get less AH than the four GC batteries and, I'd have to be the HULK to be able to toss that thing around to get it in (and out at a later date).
Now, as for AGMs, I know, without a doubt that they most likely are the top of the line, house battery that anyone can get. And, there's lots of reasons for that analogy. Way less maintenance, cleaner, better chemical makeup, etc. But, all of this is at a sever cost. Double or in some cases, triple the cost of a regular 6V GC battery.
And, at present, there's a bit of difference of opinion on just how long they last. Not a real argument, just some opinion differences. I think the majority are claiming some pretty long ownership periods.
Then there's the probably the least preference way to go. And that is, with the way our coach was originally setup. It came with THREE, 12v flooded house batteries. When we bought it, just over four years ago, it had (3) one year old, 12V Interstate so-called Deep Cycle/Marine batteries. Within one month of getting it home, one of batteries developed a bad cell.
I exchanged it and, $67.00 for a new one. A month and a half after that little issue, another one of those Interstates developed a bad cell too. At that time, I was fed up with Interstates. I then switched over to the four, Costco 6V GC batteries we have now.
I admit, it's my fault for neglecting them once in a while. And that most likely is the main reason they're not as, up to par, as I think they should be. They've been "scared" and, I don't know if they'll pull out of it, even with some "EQUALIZING" which, has never been done to them. I'm going to try that to see what happens.
Our old Dimensions Inverter/Charger would do an Equalizing procedure on every 5th cycle of plugging the coach in. But, the Magnum 2012ME unit we have now, will only EQUALIZE on a manual basis. I have to do it, not on it's own. I have to read up on it and see how it's done, and for what time length.
But, in any case, again, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to help here. It's most certainly appreciated. I've not decided just which route I'll be taking yet.
Scott
