12 V Battery & Bad Back

[Route66Cruisers]

I have a "bad back and I am considering buying an Optima Yellow Top Deep Cycle RV battery due it being less heavy than a standard deep cycle battery. I primarily use my travel trailer at full service RV parks with an occasional two night stay in a casino parking lot using the 12V system. Any feedback on the Optimas?

Thank you,

Mike

[JiminDenver]

wny_pat wrote:
Be glad you are not lifting my two Deka 8D AGM batteries! 158 pounds each. Got them out of the trunk of the car okay, but I got someone else to lift them in so I could hook them up.

I have one of these and every time I move it, my shoulders yak at me for a week.

[oldsffan]

Might I suggest taking a friend to help you with the batteries and some of the friend's favorite adult beverage?

[Veebyes]

Have a single 4D AGM here. It weighs 120#. Got help to instal it. Should not need replacement for 8 years.

There are ways to move heavy things like batteries.

[Route66Cruisers]

Thank you all for your input, I am now better informed.

Mike

[westend]

If you get a full sized AGM and have a disconnect switch, there's no need to remove the battery for the Winter. An AGM won't freeze if only partially charged.

[wintersun]

When I was looking for new batteries I found a great many people who bought the Optima's and had early failures of the batteries. With an RV reliability is important and I would not go with an Optima or similar battery. Why pay more for a battery that will provide less life than a regular flooded lead acid type battery?

Unless the batteries will be on their sides or in an unvented space there is no reason to get an AGM or gel type battery for use in an RV.

[Pauljdav]

How about leaving the batteries on the trailer and hooking up a small solar battery maintainer. They will not freeze if they are charged. Just make sure to have a battery disconnect to eliminate any drains the trailer will have.

[beemerphile1]

Maybe a crane would work for you;




http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-60732.html

[Matt_Colie]

We do this all the time....
Design or get someone mechanical to design a rig to lift and remove the batteries. We have done this now for everything from Grp 24 in bad places to 8D (those are in a bad place where every they are) and as long as the owner can pull a small line or crank a winch, we can get the bank disassembled for what ever reason. All the owner has to do is remember all the parts and read the instructions.

Matt

[wny_pat1]

Be glad you are not lifting my two Deka 8D AGM batteries! 158 pounds each. Got them out of the trunk of the car okay, but I got someone else to lift them in so I could hook them up.

[Oldtymeflyr]

I have not had good experiences with Optimas. From what I have read its not unusual.

My two 6v batteries are original from the mfg. They have been the battery compartment for 6 years and are probably going to stay there for another year or two.

When it comes time for new, the seller will install the new batteries and hopefully the new batteries will stay in the battery compartment for another 7-8 years.

Another option is to buy much smaller marine batteries and hook them up in parallel.

Good luck.

[RoyB]

Even tho you may not plan on camping off the power grid you still may have a need for the trailer battery.

You will need to have enough battery 12VDC power to activate the trailer brakes in case of a trailer disconnect when being towed.

There are a few trailer setups that depends on the installed battery to aide in opening the slides or other high current DC operations you may have installed.

In my case my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer setup with multiple batteries installed becomes my emergency source of 120VAC and 12VDC power for the house requirements when extended power outages are on-going from bad weather and hurricane periods. It certainly has been a blessing for us having this PLAN B setting in the back yard when these Power emergencies come up...

The battery you chose must also be compatible with the charging characteristics of the on-board converter/charger system as well.

Just a couple of my thoughts...
Roy Ken

[time2roll]

Get two big fat heavy batteries from a battery store that will install them for you.
Full service wet cell battery installed will have more capacity and lower price than self installed Optimas.

And yes I have used Optimas. Great battery but not worth the price for light weight.

[KD4UPL]

A battery that is lighter has less lead. Therefore less capacity. Optimas have a good name but it's for being able to take a pounding in off road and racing vehicles. For your use a group 24 would be fine and cost a lot less.
I guess if weight is the ultimate determining factor then you'll have to pay a lot of money for a less capable (amp hour wise) Optima battery.