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Jim's avatar
Jim
Explorer
May 03, 2016

Batteries...

My new to me and used RV came with two 12V House Batteries and would show 10.8 V just a short time after unplugging from shore power, so I knew I had to replace them. Some off brand car batts. Yep, those gotta go.

Limped along for 3 months with them not able to hold a charge until I finally got up here to Oregon (with no sales tax). Went to Costco here in Portland and got a quote for Interstate golf cart batts (2X 6 Volt) @ $85 each. Not bad. I'd have to install them myself, but they'd cart them out to the RV for me, remove the old batteries, lift them up to the tray, and cart off the old batts. Nice. All I had to do was connect three wires.

{Did check an Interstate battery center here in town and they wanted $154 each! Costco it is! Not a hard decision afterall.}

Hoping that they'll last 7-10 years. They are taller than the brackets the RV manufacturer installed for the OEM batteries so I'm fairly confident they'll do the job for a long time.
Class A
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2016
    In states with sale taxes, bringing old batteries for the purchase avoids paying sale tax on core.
    10% maybe doesn't sound like much, but buys you Hot Dog lunch at Costco. Make it 2 lunches when you bring 2 batteries.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    You are welcome, Jeepgal.

    And as mentioned, remember to wire them in series.
  • jeepgal's avatar
    jeepgal
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    Thanks! We went to Costco and looked. They have them sitting there at $83/battery. We will bring our old ones tomorrow and that way we don't have to pay the core charge (or at least get it back right away)!
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    lostdog wrote:
    Gotta bring it up...ensure you have them wired together in series.


    YES, two 6 VDC batteries should be wired in series:

    Positive to house to positive of battery #1. Negative of battery #1 to positive of battery #2. Negative of battery #2 to house ground/negative.

    If 4 6 VDC batteries, then wire each "pair" as above and then parallel the positives to house and ground/negatives to house.
  • lostdog's avatar
    lostdog
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    Gotta bring it up...ensure you have them wired together in series.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    They stock them so didn't have to order them, they have them in the tire section of the store. They won't install them for you, but they'll drag them out to the RV and lift your old ones out and the new ones in...

    The core charge is $15 each.

    Remember to measure your battery space first before buying.
  • jeepgal's avatar
    jeepgal
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    Good to have come across this post. We need batteries for our travel trailer, they are no longer holding a charge. I don't see batteries on Costco's website, do you have to go to the store and ask for them or order them? We are near the Hillsboro store.
  • chuckftboy's avatar
    chuckftboy
    Explorer
    May 04, 2016
    My first A had 12 volt batteries and I wasn't very happy with their performance My second coach had (2) 6 volts and they are still performing for the new owner after almost 8 years of use. I think your 7-10 years is realistic if you have a good charger. I had a progressive with charge wizard.

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