The coach batteries in my motorhome are starting to show their age (6 years old) (accelerated because I once accidentally drained them to dead-zero) and I need a couple replacements. The current ones are a no-name (Harris) cheapo Group 27 lead-acid battery with a reserve capacity of 160 minutes at 25 amps (which actually isn't bad and translates to an AH rating of about 67 AH, plus or minus). We don't boondock and use the batteries only for lights, fans, etc., at night when power isn't available for some reason. We don't even have an inverter, so that's not an issue. I check the water level and clean the terminals every six months.Therefore, I think all I need are basic lead-acid batteries. I certainly don't need AGM and unless I'm missing something, I don't even need gel. My first instinct was Wal-Mart, but those don't get very good reviews. Some other options are DieHard ($91 for 135 RC), Duracell ($99 for 90AH @ rate not specified), Duralast ($95 for 180 RC), and so on. Comparisons among such alternatives are hard because it seems like no one rates batteries using the same parameters and/or don't publish the full specs. G-r-r-r. For my purposes, though, maybe it doesn't matter anyway and I'm just being pointy-headed.Anyway, I thought I'd check here to see if anyone wants to chime in. Otherwise, I'll just go with whatever impulse strikes me at the moment. Thoughts?Skip

Not sure how you have six-year-old batteries in the 2013 motorhome? For your usage I would go back with a single AGM battery and forget about it for six or eight years. Yes, I know you said no AGMs but once you've had them you'll never go back to the regular lead acid batteries.

Since you indicate you don't need a lot of battery reserve (don't have an inverter), I would just shop for a good truly deep cycle group 27 or 31 battery. Interstate, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts.... shop for the best warranty.Consider AGM's if your battery access is difficult (for watering).

if you have a rural king in your area they have some good deals on batteries.

Kaz, You keep referring to batteries as plural. If you have more than one and they are strapped in parallel, that is part of your problem. Lead/Acid batteries do not like to play nice in parallel. If you are going replace the bank, get a pair of golf cart batteries. These are designed to be abused by people that are more interested in playing golf than taking care of the batteries. Two in series makes a nominal 12V and they compatible with everything you have and even if you drain them real dead, they will stay and play at least a while. If you do drain them dead, start the recharge out slowly and when they get their breath back then you can charge them faster. Matt

smlranger wrote:Since you indicate you don't need a lot of battery reserve (don't have an inverter), I would just shop for a good truly deep cycle group 27 or 31 battery. Interstate, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts.... shop for the best warranty.Consider AGM's if your battery access is difficult (for watering).X2 And if two in parallel make sure that they are connected to the coach in a balanced manner: obviously positive to positive and negative to negative to parallel the batteries then connect the leads from the coach: negative to one battery and positive to the other. Although with low current draw or charging it is less important, but there are no extra costs (unless the leads you have don't reach).

Coach Batteries | Good Sam Community

Kaz
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
Ivylog wrote:
Not sure how you have six-year-old batteries in the 2013 motorhome? For your usage I would go back with a single AGM battery and forget about it for six or eight years. Yes, I know you said no AGMs but once you've had them you'll never go back to the regular lead acid batteries.

Thanks, but since you don't intend to influence my judgment and don't advocate that I do what you just said, I'll ignore it. :) (That was a joke)

It's a 2013 model-year, which we bought in 2012, and which was manufactured in 2011, with components at least that old, maybe more. Therefore, the batteries are at least 5, maybe 6 (or more), years old.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Skip
usersmanual
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
Kaz wrote:
The coach batteries in my motorhome are starting to show their age (6 years old) (accelerated because I once accidentally drained them to dead-zero) and I need a couple replacements. The current ones are a no-name (Harris) cheapo Group 27 lead-acid battery with a reserve capacity of 160 minutes at 25 amps (which actually isn't bad and translates to an AH rating of about 67 AH, plus or minus). We don't boondock and use the batteries only for lights, fans, etc., at night when power isn't available for some reason. We don't even have an inverter, so that's not an issue. I check the water level and clean the terminals every six months.

Therefore, I think all I need are basic lead-acid batteries. I certainly don't need AGM and unless I'm missing something, I don't even need gel. My first instinct was Wal-Mart, but those don't get very good reviews. Some other options are DieHard ($91 for 135 RC), Duracell ($99 for 90AH @ rate not specified), Duralast ($95 for 180 RC), and so on. Comparisons among such alternatives are hard because it seems like no one rates batteries using the same parameters and/or don't publish the full specs. G-r-r-r. For my purposes, though, maybe it doesn't matter anyway and I'm just being pointy-headed.

Anyway, I thought I'd check here to see if anyone wants to chime in. Otherwise, I'll just go with whatever impulse strikes me at the moment. Thoughts?

Skip

Don't complicate your RV life for no good reason.just go to Costco(as suggested earler) and buy two 27RV batterys and be happy
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2016
You are much better off getting 2 6V golf cart batteries. Both Costco and Sams carry them at a very good price.

AGM have their place which is where they might wind up on a 45° angle ! Yes, you need to water flooded cell batteries. Yes you should clean the outside at least once a year. Doing that maintenance will save you a lot of money.

It is also difficult to find true deep cycle AGM batteries.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 30, 2016
Since you are comparing cost.... Costco has group 27 deep cycle.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 30, 2016
Get a maintenance free 12 volt battery. For your use, one will be just fine. The other route is to go AGM. Again, one will be just fine.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
smlranger wrote:
Since you indicate you don't need a lot of battery reserve (don't have an inverter), I would just shop for a good truly deep cycle group 27 or 31 battery. Interstate, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts.... shop for the best warranty.

Consider AGM's if your battery access is difficult (for watering).

X2

And if two in parallel make sure that they are connected to the coach in a balanced manner: obviously positive to positive and negative to negative to parallel the batteries then connect the leads from the coach: negative to one battery and positive to the other. Although with low current draw or charging it is less important, but there are no extra costs (unless the leads you have don't reach).
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2016
Kaz,

You keep referring to batteries as plural. If you have more than one and they are strapped in parallel, that is part of your problem. Lead/Acid batteries do not like to play nice in parallel. If you are going replace the bank, get a pair of golf cart batteries. These are designed to be abused by people that are more interested in playing golf than taking care of the batteries. Two in series makes a nominal 12V and they compatible with everything you have and even if you drain them real dead, they will stay and play at least a while.

If you do drain them dead, start the recharge out slowly and when they get their breath back then you can charge them faster.

Matt
lj2654
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
if you have a rural king in your area they have some good deals on batteries.
smlranger
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
Since you indicate you don't need a lot of battery reserve (don't have an inverter), I would just shop for a good truly deep cycle group 27 or 31 battery. Interstate, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts.... shop for the best warranty.

Consider AGM's if your battery access is difficult (for watering).
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 30, 2016
Not sure how you have six-year-old batteries in the 2013 motorhome? For your usage I would go back with a single AGM battery and forget about it for six or eight years. Yes, I know you said no AGMs but once you've had them you'll never go back to the regular lead acid batteries.

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