Forum Discussion

danimal53's avatar
danimal53
Explorer
Sep 05, 2015

battery questions

i have a few battery questions. First, can anyone tell me what kind of battery this is? How many amp hours etc? I'm not sure how to read the label.



i'm assuming it isn't the best battery there is, as it came with the TT from the dealer. What would a recommended upgrade be? not the best of the best, but maybe mid level

i'm also considering adding a second battery. is it okay to mix-n-match or should they be the same?

I'm pretty sure this is not "maintenance free" so where does one add water?

When disconnecting the battery, what is the proper way to do that? I mean, I know I have to unscrew the nuts and get the wires off the studs, but is there a certain sequence? or risk of getting shocked or something?

There's a little bit of water sitting in the bottom of the plastic box, is that a problem? I'm assuming it should be drained.

12v stuff is pretty new to me, been all over the internet gathering info. I figured if a post pictures of what I actually have someone can give me specifics, thanks!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 05, 2015
    Good place to start.......12 Volt Side of Life

    Deka Marine Master...........Deep Cycle/Starting.....that means it is a so/so battery. Not really a Deep Cycle, not really a good Starting Battery.
    Can't tell amp hours/group.....that info is probably on side of battery case
    If it is a group 24/65amp hr, group 27/80amp hr, group 31/100amp hr
    All pretty low.


    2 batteries are good...should be same type/size/age

    Add 'distilled water'.......flat caps pop off use flat blade screw driver tip in notch center of flat cover

    Disconnect......remove NEGATIVE cable first then POSITIVE.
    Connecting......Install POSITIVE cable first then NEGATIVE
    NOTE: your Black cable is POSITIVE

    I would drill couple drain holes in battery box.

    ON EDIT: Swapped Positive/Negative.....THANKS! :B
  • 12thgenusa's avatar
    12thgenusa
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    Old-Biscuit I think you got that backwards. Should remove negative first and install negative last.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    danimal53 wrote:
    i have a few battery questions. First, can anyone tell me what kind of battery this is?


    Thats a dual purpose starting/deep cycle battery. 140 minutes # 23 amps. Its like this battery from interstate for example..

    http://www.interstatebatteries.com/p/srm-24-ford-f-350-1984-aux-battery-oem-cca-350-v8-7-5l?dsNav=N~21-2147384903

    How many amp hours etc?


    I'm not sure how to read the label.

    If it dont have an AH rating its not really a true deep cycle battery


    i'm assuming it isn't the best battery there is, as it came with the TT from the dealer. What would a recommended upgrade be? not the best of the best, but maybe mid level

    Get two 24 group batterys with a 75 AH rating each and hook them in parrele. If you really plan on boon docking then two 6 volts are best

    i'm also considering adding a second battery. is it okay to mix-n-match or should they be the same?

    The same. Reason is charging them. If not the same then you will cook the smaller AH battery of the two

    I'm pretty sure this is not "maintenance free" so where does one add water?

    Ill have to look at the pic again.

    When disconnecting the battery, what is the proper way to do that? I mean, I know I have to unscrew the nuts and get the wires off the studs, but is there a certain sequence? or risk of getting shocked or something?

    I disconnect the positive first

    There's a little bit of water sitting in the bottom of the plastic box, is that a problem? I'm assuming it should be drained.

    I drilled a hole at the bottom of my boxes.

    12v stuff is pretty new to me, been all over the internet gathering info. I figured if a post pictures of what I actually have someone can give me specifics, thanks!
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    looking here that batterys specs out as a 65 AH battery. If you can get one like it that should be sufficient IMO.

    That is a good battery...




    Deka battery specs
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    That is a Deka DP24, deep cycle/ starting battery.
    550 cold cranking amps, 675 reserve capacity. The 20 hr. capacity is 65 AH.
    Weighty is 43.5 lbs.
    It has a 12 month free replacement warranty.
  • danimal53's avatar
    danimal53
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    so would it be correct to say this battery holds 53 AH? 23amps x 2.33 hours (140min) = 53.66


    aaaaand nevermind, couldnt find that 65 number before, thanks!
  • danimal53's avatar
    danimal53
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    okay, regarding adding water. open the tabs and just pour it in? fill to top?

    also, what are those big nubs for? next to the threaded stubs w/ the wires on them
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2015
    danimal53 wrote:
    okay, regarding adding water. open the tabs and just pour it in? fill to top?

    also, what are those big nubs for? next to the threaded stubs w/ the wires on them


    Don't fill to top. Use distilled water only. There are level indicators inside the fill port. fill about 1/4" below that.

    Only fill after fully charging the battery. Unless a plate is exposed then fill to cover the plate and charge

    The stubs are to connect to cables like on your car. In marine applications these battery's start the boat as well as run the electronics...

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