coach batteries

[sp8gold]

OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

[Mr_Mark1]

Jim, I have eight new AGM's in my current coach now as I replaced the 6½ yr. old wet cells. Again, they are so clean and I don't have to add water.

The new coach that I'm looking into having built uses AGM's., the other converter uses Lithium Ion which are much, much, lighter in weight and last as long as 10 yrs. (and you need fewer of them).

The major difference between Lithium Ion (there are two types, these are not the airplane version), is that they don't go low like a regular wet cell or AGM battery..... you have perfect even power until they need recharging. When a regular battery gets low, it will make a motor that depends on the battery power work harder or put more stress on that part. Lithium Ion batteries have even power at all times until they need recharging.

Mark

[LVJ58]

Mr.Mark wrote:

LVJ58 wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

For sure the wet cell batteries are cheaper. I decided to go with AGM's so that I don't have to worry about watering them and dealing with the sulfating. It was not cheap changing out 8 house batteries which was about $3,000. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MM.

Just curious, for cost comparison purposes, how long can one expect the AGM Batteries to last before replacement is needed?

In the 13 years & 10 months we've owned our coach, our 4 wet cell coach batteries have been replaced 3 times costing $400 for each replacement, total cost $1,200.00.

I use the "Pro-Fill" watering system for the batteries, and have a Blue Sky 2000-E 25amp Controller for our solar panel which has an "Equalizing" mode for desulfating the coach batteries.

Thanks:)

LVJ, as I mentioned above, I would think the AGM's will last about the same time as my wet cells (6 yrs. or so).

Mine were sulfating and I would hose them off to keep them clean and use baking soda to clean the terminals. Now, the AGM's have eliminated that step. Clean as a whistle!

But, for me, all of this is moot as I'm going to order a new all electric coach soon with AGM's or maybe Lithium Ion batteries. The selling point of my coach will be recent tires and batteries that are less than a year old.

Mark

Thanks Mark it appears the AGM's would best suited for an all electric coach. Let us know when you get it, ok..

Jim

[tropical36]

Don't get some of the posts about the fear of batteries dying while on the road, so change them out before leaving on a trip, whether they seem weak or not, spending a bundle to get the very best...etc...etc. With the chassis battery, same thing and no problem with having the built in jumper network with a push of a button.
We left on a US tour in 09 and I pretty much knew that my original coach batteries had seen better days. Didn't do any real dry camping for the first 4000 miles and then when we did, the batteries wouldn't sustain even one day with the inverter supplying a few things. So, while going through as town in WA the next day, we stopped at a Sam's club for lunch. Did so and then while DW was shopping, I changed out the batteries. Shopping cart with the old and back again with the new with maybe an extra hour involved and mostly with waiting. Still running those batteries, along with another tour on the road this past summer and they should be good for some time to come. To each his own, I guess and we're not one for inventing ways to spend money, as that seems to take care of itself.

[Mr_Mark1]

LVJ58 wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

For sure the wet cell batteries are cheaper. I decided to go with AGM's so that I don't have to worry about watering them and dealing with the sulfating. It was not cheap changing out 8 house batteries which was about $3,000. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MM.

Just curious, for cost comparison purposes, how long can one expect the AGM Batteries to last before replacement is needed?

In the 13 years & 10 months we've owned our coach, our 4 wet cell coach batteries have been replaced 3 times costing $400 for each replacement, total cost $1,200.00.

I use the "Pro-Fill" watering system for the batteries, and have a Blue Sky 2000-E 25amp Controller for our solar panel which has an "Equalizing" mode for desulfating the coach batteries.

Thanks:)

LVJ, as I mentioned above, I would think the AGM's will last about the same time as my wet cells (6 yrs. or so).

Mine were sulfating and I would hose them off to keep them clean and use baking soda to clean the terminals. Now, the AGM's have eliminated that step. Clean as a whistle!

But, for me, all of this is moot as I'm going to order a new all electric coach soon with AGM's or maybe Lithium Ion batteries. The selling point of my coach will be recent tires and batteries that are less than a year old.

Mark

[Mr_Mark1]

LVJ58 wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

For sure the wet cell batteries are cheaper. I decided to go with AGM's so that I don't have to worry about watering them and dealing with the sulfating. It was not cheap changing out 8 house batteries which was about $3,000. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MM.

Just curious, how long will the AGM's last before needing replacement?

Our 4 wet cell coach batteries need replacing about every 5 years at an average cost of $100 per battery which totals $1,200 over 13+ years of ownership.

Thanks:)

It's not about the cost to me, it's about convenience. My wet cell batteries lasted for about 6 yrs. and they were still holding a decent charge, I just didn't want them to die when I was traveling and I got tired of adding/checking for water.

I'm assuming that the AGM's will last about the same time as my wet cell. We'll see.

MM.

[prism]

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

autozone or napa or interstate or pep boys etc. 31 series all last good and are reasonable in price.Forget the outrageous optima or AGM batterys Total waste of money

[MACANDPHYL]

X2 on the AGMS, way better in every way. Lifelines are AGMs
but use a more expensive manufacturing technique. If you
are looking at 10 years of use, go with Lifelines, if shorter
other AGMs are very good, check on DEKA from East Penn, made
in US.

[sp8gold]

Should have made myself clear, don't need house batteries, need chassis batteries. Replaced my house batteries with Sam's Club two years ago. No issues there. Thanks for all replies.

[LVJ58]

Mr.Mark wrote:

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

For sure the wet cell batteries are cheaper. I decided to go with AGM's so that I don't have to worry about watering them and dealing with the sulfating. It was not cheap changing out 8 house batteries which was about $3,000. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MM.

Just curious, how long will the AGM's last before needing replacement?

Our 4 wet cell coach batteries need replacing about every 5 years at an average cost of $100 per battery which totals $1,200 over 13+ years of ownership.

Thanks:)

[RayChez]

For chassis batteries I went with AGM sold by Napa. Great batteries and for less then CW.

[Mr_Mark1]

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

For sure the wet cell batteries are cheaper. I decided to go with AGM's so that I don't have to worry about watering them and dealing with the sulfating. It was not cheap changing out 8 house batteries which was about $3,000. Worth every penny in my opinion.

MM.

[barlow46]

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

Send an email to this company and see what they are charging for a Trojan T-105. If around $100-$105, the price is about right. We get them here on east coast of Fl for $99.

I do not have any info on this company so check them out before buy if their prices are good.

http://www.hodgsoncorp.com/products/trojan.htm

[1971duster340]

The Lifeline AGMs are going strong after 3 years. I don't know the size (model) or capacity, but believe it's 4~12V. The camper has 2~2800W inverters...almost 6kW at 120V. Last week, I had ea. battery in the bank tested for the first time since they were installed with no weak cells.
Master Tech RV Service in Elkhart had excellent prices for Lifelines. I wouldn't want to guess what shipping might be. I was at the shop when I saw the batteries.

[tropical36]

sp8gold wrote:
OK, seems I need to replace my coach batteries, 06 TS with 400 ISL. Words of wisedom as to brand, size, and any ideal of cost appreciated.

Sam's Club are probably the best bang for the buck. Use 6v golf cart batteries with two connected in series. If four batteries, then the two series banks are then connected in parallel...etc, etc, just so you know and didn't already.
Last time I bought, they were about $80 ea., tax included.
What I'm running now, were bought in WA in 09 and still functioning well. They'll easily go 7 yrs and more in a golf cart with a private owner and running on the street, as well.