TC Battery Replacement - Upgrade Options
Boy when it rains ... it pours. My 4 year old, non-maintenance free Interstate Group 24, deep cycle 12v battery seems to have given up the ghost. It appears to have boiled on the one side and after ...
Forum Discussion
Great input folks. You raised a few things I didn't think about and certainly a few that I should have. The local Interstate distributor confirmed my 4 year old Grp24 battery is toast ... no life left in it at all.
Based on your comments and suggestions, I'm going to really think this through regarding our needs and best battery solution for as reasonable a cost as possible. I'm not cheap ... but I agree with many of your comments regarding over "upgrading" and not getting the value out of doing that. Rest assured, I'll definitely not go lithium although they sound awesome if that's what you need and want and can afford ... then fill yer boots!
Good idea ... makes sense to determine our needs first to really know what our best solution may be.
I'm in KW and thanks for the heads up about the battery shop and CPAP machine Dave. Hadn't even thought of the CPAP ... in fact I didn't think a TC's battery would run it! I wonder what the draw is?
You raise some good points and your comments got me thinking. There are times we are over-nighting at a truck stop or non-electrical campsites are the only ones available. In those cases, we still need to ignite our fridge, run the water pump, perhaps run our furnace fan and certainly lights are always useful. I guess mobile phone charging is now a reality too.
The local Interstate dealer has a NOS deep cycle Grp27 AGM for sale at CDN$150 (about USD$115). The problem is my TC's cables are the smaller circle hook ups and this particular battery only had the large terminals. I'd have to by additional cables to make them work. More $$.
Good points. I'm an "over engineer it" kind-of person so that's why I always think "upgrade" when replacing equipment. I have room for up to a Grp 31 battery ... that's why I threw that out there. I haven't looked at the price points yet.
The reason I think I should install a cut-off switch is it appears my current/pooched battery boiled from being under hydrated and overcharged ... my bad. I figure if I am on shore power, I will simply cut the connection from the on board electrical panel and prevent any current from making its way to over/charge the TC's battery. Does this logic make sense?
Based on your comments and suggestions, I'm going to really think this through regarding our needs and best battery solution for as reasonable a cost as possible. I'm not cheap ... but I agree with many of your comments regarding over "upgrading" and not getting the value out of doing that. Rest assured, I'll definitely not go lithium although they sound awesome if that's what you need and want and can afford ... then fill yer boots!
adamis wrote:
... snipped ...If you don't have an ammeter already, I would recommend looking into one so you know your power usage per day is.
Good idea ... makes sense to determine our needs first to really know what our best solution may be.
djg wrote:
... snipped ... where are you in Ontario I'm in Caledonia ... Dave
I'm in KW and thanks for the heads up about the battery shop and CPAP machine Dave. Hadn't even thought of the CPAP ... in fact I didn't think a TC's battery would run it! I wonder what the draw is?
hedge wrote:
... I'd suggest getting a single smaller 12v AGM battery, they are a bit more money but no maintenance. Don't see the point of putting a bunch of money and effort into it if you always have services, just suggesting the AGM to avoid the maintenance.
You raise some good points and your comments got me thinking. There are times we are over-nighting at a truck stop or non-electrical campsites are the only ones available. In those cases, we still need to ignite our fridge, run the water pump, perhaps run our furnace fan and certainly lights are always useful. I guess mobile phone charging is now a reality too.
The local Interstate dealer has a NOS deep cycle Grp27 AGM for sale at CDN$150 (about USD$115). The problem is my TC's cables are the smaller circle hook ups and this particular battery only had the large terminals. I'd have to by additional cables to make them work. More $$.
AnEv942 wrote:
... snipped ... If you do not camp off grid there is no justification for 'upgrading'. Certainly not 2- 6vs or the cost weight of a 31 for something that wont be utilized. However I'd probably go for the 27 over 24 ...
As far as cut-off, I don't understand camper that doesn't have one (ours didn't).
Good points. I'm an "over engineer it" kind-of person so that's why I always think "upgrade" when replacing equipment. I have room for up to a Grp 31 battery ... that's why I threw that out there. I haven't looked at the price points yet.
The reason I think I should install a cut-off switch is it appears my current/pooched battery boiled from being under hydrated and overcharged ... my bad. I figure if I am on shore power, I will simply cut the connection from the on board electrical panel and prevent any current from making its way to over/charge the TC's battery. Does this logic make sense?
