Should I get a group 31 battery?

[SC_camper]

My boss bought an AC Delco Voyager group 29(31) battery for his boat. It doesn't fit the boat and he has offered it to me for what he has in it, ($25, new old stock, "blem").

I currently have a group 24 Interstate that's a couple years old. I'm not having any problems and normally camp with hookups. We will be taking a long trip this summer and will spend a couple nights without power while traveling.

Can't beat the price on the new battery but I don't think I really "need" it. Is it worth the hassle to change battery box and switch over to the bigger battery? I may have to redo the mount if it's not wide enough.

[SC_camper]

I got a 3/4" by 48" piece of flat steel. I bent it to fit snugly around the battery box and frame cross member. Let the ends overlap and drilled a hole through both for a lock. I'll get some pictures when its installed. $5 worth material and about 30 minutes to "secure" the battery.

I don't know if anyone would take it or not. I wouldn't be out much if I can get another for the same price. But the trouble and cost involved if it was taken while on the road is worth the extra steps.

I'll pick up a battery disconnect Monday.

[westend]

Around here, scrap batteries are bringing $10-$20. I'd take the $15 risk.

If you have your battery installed with no cutoff switch, make sure you have a battery tender on it or one of the cables removed from a terminal. The parasitic draws of the trailer will drain the battery completely within a week or two. Let that happen a few times (drain till dead) and you'll be buying another battery.

[Bumpyroad]

I got a lockable strap that goes around the battery case and frame member from an outfit IIRC in Utah. nice price, nice people, etc.
bumpy

[SC_camper]

I went ahead and bought the group 31 battery and a new battery box. I knocked the snow and ice off the old box this morning and swapped it over.

I'm going to add a cut off switch and work up some kind of battery locking device in the future.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

You may have enough info here to make a wise decision...

[SC_camper]

Thank for all the input.

To clarify, my thought is to replace the group 24 I-state with the group 31 Delco. I will not be combining 12v or converting to 6v.

[ernie1]

The Delco Voyager Deep cycle battery that I had a few years ago was not an AGM, gel nor was it even sealed. They were not really exceptional batteries but I suppose good enough for the right price. Today, I wouldn't waste my time with one for my rv.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"DEEP CYCLE, CALCIUM/CALCIUM BATTERY"

Is an oxymoron

Putting a calcium/calcium battery in a non calcium bank is just about as bad as sticking a starting battery in with a bunch of gelled electrolyte batteries and thinking you have "Deep Cycle". You will have each eating the other.

Calcium is good for max 20% depth of discharge with QUICKLY RESTORED charging bringing the battery back within a day. If you combine them spend an extra five bucks on Lawry's Seasoned Salt so they both taste good to each other...

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Looks like a marine flooded battery.

[wa8yxm]

IS the question "Can I put a Group 31 (or 29) in parallel with group 24's?"

If so the answer is yes you can, minor risk but this risks exists anytime you parallel batteries.

NOTE: on your Group 24's. I am told a GC-2 its in the same tray as a Group 24, (Check this first) but is a bit taller.

IF YOU HAVE THE HEADROOM, consider upgrading two 24's to two GC-2 They connect differently (Be aware of that) but again each pair of GC-2 make a single 12 volt battery 215-230 amp hours (Dependign on the speciic sub model) but that compairs to 150 for what they relace.. Replace in pairs.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Delco made both types and both are sealed tighter than a you-know-what in a horsefly hatch.

Delco's regular calcium/calcium flooded battery is garbage. Slosh the battery. If you hear liquid IMHO ten dollars would be wasting money. Delco's AGM is a better battery but be advised it has .045" positive plates. That is a $25.00 battery. If flooded it is worth core value in exchange.

[Bumpyroad]

a new good battery for $25. why are you procrastinating?
bumpy

[OH48Lt]

A new AGM type 31 for $25? Buy it. You can easily triple your money on it if you decide you don't need/want it.

[Dakota98]

For $25 & if it is a "sealed" deep cycle battery, AGM or Lead Acid, buy it.

A sealed battery can be stored anywhere in your TT & be used when needed. It would make for a good back-up battery & if your current one goes south, then use the Voyager as a replacement.