Forum Discussion

Winnipeg's avatar
Winnipeg
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017

Too many batteries?

I just watched a (somewhat boring) youtube video on the 2017 Newmar King Aire. Very nice coach, of course. But, one thing that makes me wonder is that they put 16 batteries in it, plus a couple for the engine. Seriously? Its a big coach, and all electric, but what is their goal? Do they expect that the typical owner will want to park in the desert (or at Walmart) for days on end and run everything without generator or solar panels?

Batteries are only good for a few years no matter how you maintain them. Swapping out 16 of them would be a pain to your back and/or check book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDOuZZxEkE
Class A
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 12, 2017
    Hi,

    Nothing is preventing using fewer--but of course one would need enough to keep the fridge going.
  • jorbill2or's avatar
    jorbill2or
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2017
    Specs on that coach show 8 ....6 volt batteries on the tray not 16 .. I might assume they are 16d batteries (big). If that's true the pitchman may have got his numbers mixed up but 8 16ds are still a lot of power if that's true
  • DryCreek's avatar
    DryCreek
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    Could it be built on a Tesla chassis? That would be the next "big thing" - a Hybrid MoHo!
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    It does have an all electric option with 16 6V batteries folks...

    This is a $900K+ Motor home. People who buy these things are not worried about how much batteries cost to replace...

    And yes, this option does allow the multiple A/C units to operate on inverter power for limited amounts of time, before auto starting the generator.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2017
    Winnipeg wrote:
    I just watched a (somewhat boring) youtube video on the 2017 Newmar King Aire. Very nice coach, of course. But, one thing that makes me wonder is that they put 16 batteries in it, plus a couple for the engine. Seriously? Its a big coach, and all electric, but what is their goal? Do they expect that the typical owner will want to park in the desert (or at Walmart) for days on end and run everything without generator or solar panels?

    Batteries are only good for a few years no matter how you maintain them. Swapping out 16 of them would be a pain to your back and/or check book.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDOuZZxEkE


    IF you can afford a King Aire. I doubt battery replacement cost is a BIG concern. Doug
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2017
    Probably needs all those batteries to run the disco lights.
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    The King Air is a beautiful coach. I like the restyled front and rear caps.

    I watched the video and the guy did say it had 16 AGM batteries. The cost will be close to $8K to replace every 5-6 yrs. In the price range of that coach, it won't be long to see it outfitted with Lithium Ion batteries. The cost of LI is coming down yearly and will last twice as long as AGM's with the fraction of the weight (16 AGM's would be replaced by 3 LI batteries), which is what we have in our coach.

    Safe travels,
    MM.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2017
    AGM batteries could also easily last close to 10 years before requiring replacement. My last set of Lifelines lasted a full 10 years before replacing the 4 8D AGM's.
  • lj2654's avatar
    lj2654
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    The people that buy these expensive motorhomes don't even know where the batteries are located, much less how many or how much they cost. They have an issue they drive in, drop it off, then pay $$$$ and leave. Not all are mechanically illiterate but they have money and could care less about ever turning a wrench on one.

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