Coach/chassis battery replacement

two travelers wrote:
Batteries in our coach are at least 6yrs old. I'm thinking it might be proactive to think about replacing them. Have tested them with one of those testers where you suck up water from each cell and all seemed ok. I keep them on a trickle charger when not in use. What is the typical life of these batteries? Any suggestions on what brand to replace them with?

I just replaced both my engine and house batteries.

My two Interstate 31-MHDs lasted about 10 years, so I replaced them with Interstates again. (They should have been replaced earlier, but I lost track of time.)

My 4 house batteries were 7-year-old Lifeline GPL-4CTs, and I replaced them with Lifelines again.

I really depends upon how the batteries were maintained. Case in point I bought 2 6v GC batteries from Sams Club in 2007 to replace my Trojan GC batteries which failed after 4 years of dry camping. The Sams Club batteries are now 12 years old and have lost some capacity. Not that Sam's Club are better than Trojans it is just that I learned how to maintain the batteries better. The GC batteries don't usually die all at once they just lose capacity over time. You can by these all over the US from Costco, Sams Club, some Walmarts, battery plus etc. So I would continue to use them, you may get another 6 years out of them, check the water levels, recharge at 50% or greater, don't let them sit for more than a week or two before fully charging them, equalize and desulfate several times a year and they should last you a long time.

The best thing to help maintain 6 volts are the automatic watering systems. So easy to be sure the water is at the correct level.

On average I replace mine in our MH every 6 years.

two travelers wrote:
Have tested them with one of those testers where you suck up water from each cell and all seemed ok. I keep them on a trickle charger when not in use.

That is a specific gravity test and will usually NOT give a clue as to overall battery health.....just state of charge.

And I hope that you are NOT using a "trickle charger" but a smart automatic tender type battery maintainer.
Battery tenders are GOOD.
Trickle chargers.....not so much.

Wet cell batteries can last well beyond 5 years if well cared for and not exposed to a lot of heat.

I think you should base your decision on "How much of an inconvenience will it be if one fails while out camping."

I think a lot depends on how you travel. I mean batteries are readily available all over the country so unless you like to boondock out in the sticks away from civilization, I would wait until your existing batteries die. If the house batteries go bad it is really no big deal if you are plugged in to shore power when you travel. If your chassis batteries go bad, you can use your boost switch and still start your engine to take the coach to a place to change the batteries. Who knows, you may get another year or two or three out of them. :)

sundancer268 wrote:
I got over 8 years out of my Interstate 6 Volt Flooded Batteries. I replaced the two 6 Volt batteries with 4 LifeLine AGM batteries and relocated them to the inside of the coach. I wanted more capacity and the original battery compartment would only hold two batteries.

I got 9. but 7-10 is considered normal.
Now.. in my case chassis went first so I used the BOOST (emergency stat on my rig) to crank 'er up then pulled the battery and off to DEKA store.. One new DEKA later I was back in full service.

Then the house died a couple months later and I drove to the DEKA store and got slightly bigger (230 amp hours instead of 220) the added 10 AH meant I could not lift them onto the battery tray. had to have the store staff help.... DEKA batteries are 100% Made in the USA by the way. No overseas content.

I have 4 years on my Interstate GC2s and I have 2 with a bad cell. My fault - I had a bad solar controller that overcharged them over the winter. I expected to get 5 years.

Make sure the batteries are at rest (not charging or discharging) when checking the specific gravity. If the specific gravity is still within limits, keep 'em.

Since I don’t want to replace on the road, I replace at five to six years.

it all comes down on how you camp.. if you boondock alot, get agm,s if your plugged in 75% of the time all you need is two marine deep cycle batteries from wal mart. and I think its time ,mine last about six years very well maintained. one day it just died.