New Battery?

[Jeff H]

I think it may be time for a new battery. I keep the coach plugged in when home. It never sits much more than 8-12 days at a time.
Coach was built early 10/05, we took delivery 10/26/05. So battery is about 24 1/2 months old.
I drove it 128 miles this weekend, boondocked in the desert, used the generator a couple of times for the microwave and Pelonis is the AM. Engine was not started for 48 hours and was dead when we tried...I think it's time for a new battery.
My question, Optima? Interstate?...just looking for suggestions.

[Jeff H]

I think it may be time for a new battery. I keep the coach plugged in when home. It never sits much more than 8-12 days at a time.
Coach was built early 10/05, we took delivery 10/26/05. So battery is about 24 1/2 months old.
I drove it 128 miles this weekend, boondocked in the desert, used the generator a couple of times for the microwave and Pelonis is the AM. Engine was not started for 48 hours and was dead when we tried...I think it's time for a new battery.
My question, Optima? Interstate?...just looking for suggestions.

[beaverjim]

jeff, you may have killed your batt somehow, but your batt. should not be shot after 24 1/2 months. i personally think you should be looking for a draw / maybe something left on.
if in fact your batt. is shot you should have some warranty left on the batt. which would defray some of the cost of the new batt.our original chassis batt's are over 5 yrs. old and still going strong! good luck. jim

[tropical36]

A battery can die at anytime....and I've taken back a few new ones...
The chassis battery doesn't require anything special...I've had a little Walmart for over 4 yrs...and batteries don't last long in Florida.
I am particular about the coach batteries and use only the 6 volt golf cart...brand name being unimportant, so Sam's Club usually wins.

[BryanL]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">batteries don't last long in Florida </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
heat tends to be hard on batteries.

As do deep discharging, sitting around without a full charge, or being overcharged, or just sitting.

Yes batteries can die anytime but most lead acid wet cell batteries should last 5 - 7 years if used and cared for properly. Battery death and voltage have no correlation, either.

The first thing to look at is your charging equipment. It needs to be a good 3 stage charger with a maintenance capability that will inhibit sulfation. The PD+Chargewizard and WFCO converters are good choices this way. Many stock converters will not maintain batteries as then tend to overcharge and do not do anything to inhibit sulfation.

I would like to understand the '6v religion' as I have had Trojan T105's that didn't last one summer - they are no different from any others. I just replaced a B-Van Exide house battery at 8 years (group 24 12v and still in reasonable condition).

[Mike Canter]

I have had the same Trojan T105's for 10 years without a problem. Got scared they would fail so I replaced them again with the same Trojan batteries and they are the 6 volt batteries. Never had a lick of problems with them. The idea of the two 6 volts batteries is that the can supply more amperage than two 12 volt batteries. Never have timed either to see which one last longer with the same draw. I do not plug my motorhome in when I get home I only use a battery maintenance charger which seems to be the trick to not getting the plates all messed up.

[tropical36]

[quote]The idea of the two 6 volts batteries is that the can supply more amperage than two 12 volt batteries.quote]

Actually the opposite is true...2 sixes in series, double the voltage and the ampere hour capacity stays the same....2 twelves in parallel give you the same voltage, but double the amp hour capacity, otherwise why do it. The main reason for the two sixes for some time now, has been for the use of golf cart batteries, which are true deep cycle and fit the task much better at a resonable price. Now there are 12 volt golf cart batteries available, but most compartments won't handle two in parallel anyway. You don't need a lot of current capacity for the coach, but you do need something with the ability to charge up and discharge down frequently and still get some longetivity from them.