Battery Question

[ntjpmm]

Edited to add: The battery is fine, the Charge Wizard did it's job and the battery was fully charged and perfect. I on the other hand am a dork. I forgot that I had hit the "Battery Disconnect" switch yesterday and of course today I wasn't getting any power when I disconnected from Shore power so I thought the battery had died. Thank you though for all the input.

So I need help with a Battery Question, if the House battery in my coach is a Full River, Deep Cycle Dry Battery do I have to replace it with the same type?

I ask as apparently when money was no object we bought and had this battery installed, (probably because I told the person I did not want to have to deal with it, as it is in a very annoyingly difficult to deal with area.

We have a very good family friend who works at a Battery store and can get us a very nice discount, but it is still a big chunk of change to replace same for same. He is getting a new job (waiting for the last minute details and his start date) so he will be leaving and so will our discount so if I need to replace this I want to do it NOW!

I think the current battery is a 2009 and right now it is dead, I have it hooked up to a charger and am hopeful that it will come back, but seeing as how we just had to replace the engine battery I think it might also need to be replaced. BUT I do not want to pay that much again.

So my question is do you have a battery you recommend for the house battery? I do not want to add water as like I said it is in a difficult spot, but I am adding a Battery Minder to it so I can keep it in good shape.

Thanks for the help, Tracy in WA

[Bordercollie]

There are "manifold" devices for adding water to battery cells as needed which may make maintenance of standard batteries easier for your situation. I have read that standard type batteries last longer than maintenance-free batteries.

If you can use a standard lead/acid battery, a USA brand deep cyle battery may suit your needs and cost lots less than maintenance free types. All standard lead/acid batteries require replenishment of electrolyte with distilled water as needed. Also, periodic cleaning of battery cable connectors and other wire connections at battery terminals is necessary for proper 12 volt battery system performance.

[tenbear]

Glad to hear your battery is good. Don't feel too bad, we all make mistakes.:W

[EsoxLucius]

Fullriver AGM batteries are good for the money. I have four DC220-6 batteries and am satisfied with their performance. I am glad the OP figured out the battery is fine and won't have to replace it.

[ntjpmm]

Edited to add: The battery is fine, the Charge Wizard did it's job and the battery was fully charged and perfect. I on the other hand am a dork. I forgot that I had hit the "Battery Disconnect" switch yesterday and of course today I wasn't getting any power when I disconnected from Shore power so I thought the battery had died. Thank you though for all the input.
Tracy in WA

[darsben]

Something has happened to cause your AGM batteries to go bad so fast.
Could be inadequate charging or improper charging.

The battery techy types can weigh in here.
I am given to understand that a standard RV converter can ruin either an AGM or a wet cell under the right circumstance.

[tenbear]

ntjpmm wrote:
I guess the real question I am asking here is does the house battery have to be Deep Cycle?

Tracy in WA

The only reason for using a deep cycle battery is that they tolerate being discharged to 50% better than other types. If you never run off the battery, other than when stopping to buy gas, or waiting while the wife shops, you don't need a deep cycle battery.

Maybe others have a different opinion. :h

[ntjpmm]

I guess the real question I am asking here is does the house battery have to be Deep Cycle?

Tracy in WA

[tenbear]

Since you are always connected to power, other than when traveling, any old 12v battery will be fine. I would probably go with a Costco 12v marine battery, about $80. Maybe your friend can get you a better deal on some other marine battery.

[ntjpmm]

We don't do any off grid camping if that makes a difference.
Tracy in WA

[tenbear]

If you do much off grid camping deep cycle batteries are the best. Many use two Costco or Walmart 6v deep cycle batteries in series. Second choice would be a marine 12v battery, also Costco or Walmart.

I don't have space for 2 batteries without a lot of work, so I use a Costco Marine battery.

Any 12v battery will work. Battery life will be different with different types of batteries.

[tenbear]

My battery was in a hard to check area. I made a drawer type shelf so I can pull out the shelf with the battery on it. Checking the water in the battery is easy to do now. Cost a lot less than an AGM battery.

[ntjpmm]

Opps sorry, does it have to be a Deep cycle AGM battery or can it be a Maintenance Free Battery? (I do not care about brand) Is there a type/brand that you would recommend instead?

[2oldman]

ntjpmm wrote:
Does it have to be replaced with the same Deep cycle AGM battery?

Do you mean the same brand, deep cycle, or AGM? That battery faq will help a lot.

[ntjpmm]

Ok so it is currently a Full River 12 volt deep cycle AGM battery. (DC100-12) Does it have to be replaced with the same Deep cycle AGM battery?

What do you use??

Tracy in WA