Community Forums

Spider · 03-06-2010, 06:43 PM

My 2005 Dynasty currently has 8 U2200 interstate house batteries that have given up. I was researching and found that interstate makes a U2400 that is the same size,but has a higher amp hour rating. Haven't compared price yet but does anyone see or know of a problem with using the U2400 instead of the U2200?

wiseye101 · 03-06-2010, 07:33 PM

I recently purchased 4 of the U 2200. I inquired about the U 2400. I was told by the distributor that he didn't advise getting them because the additional storage capasity wasn't worth the additional cost, and that many local dealers don't keep them in stock as the U 2200 are more popular. If you need to exchange one under warranty you might have to wait for one to be delivered. As a distributor he had them in stock and would be happy to sell either model. Hope this helps.
Wiseye

LVJ58 · 03-06-2010, 08:16 PM

I also use the U2200's, just checked Interstate's battery spec sheet and it appears the U2400's are roughly the same dimensions so should work. However I would agree with wiseeye101's observation. Will you gain that much advantage to justify the additional cost.

Good luck with your decision.

mythplaced · 03-06-2010, 08:30 PM

The Trojan L16Hs are the same footprint and have 435 Ah...same as 2 2200's

shop well available for $250

Montana Dan · 03-06-2010, 08:43 PM

I bought the U2400's to replace my 4 U 2200's. I was able to purchase the 2400's for less money then the 2200's. The distributor wanted to clear his inventory because he doesn't move the 2400's fast enough. The 2400's have performed well. My 42 ft Camelot has a full wall slide(living room and kitchen).The 2200's always seemed to barely perform moving the slide in and out. The 2400's have added extra capacity to move the slide without any worries. It's possible the 2200's were not properly charged by the dealership while they waiting for the coach to be sold. Both batteries are the same size.
I would recommend the U2400's.Hope this helps. Good Luck

Mandys Man · 03-06-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythplaced

The Trojan L16Hs are the same footprint and have 435 Ah...same as 2 2200's

shop well available for $250

No they're not. 11.6" x 7" is not the same as 10.25" x 7.12" They also are 16.75" tall versus 11.12"
Weight is 125 lbs versus 62 lbs. I know they would not fit in my battery tray. Maybe if I only bought 2, but then I'd probably have to have new cables made to work.
Anyway, in answer to Spider, unless you are doing a lot of dry camping, you don't need the extra amperage. Depending on when your batteries were manufactured, (probably 04) you got good usage out of them. Don't forget, your rig sat on the dealers lot twice, and was probably neglected as far as battery maintenance.

wa8yxm · 03-07-2010, 09:03 AM

THe only possible problem I can see is that the two batteries are NOT the same size.

They are the same length, and width, but the larger battery is nearly twice as tall.

So if you have a hight limit.. It might not fit

It's also nearly twice as heavy (Which is why it's twice the amp hours)

So, hoisting may be an issue as well (Getting it in and out)

Otherwise.. The larger battery will work fine, If it fits and you can get it in there, and you replace all 8 (oh it costs more too logically) you will find that your batteries last longer per charge, and take longer to re-charge.

However if you recharge them on the same schedule you use for the U-2200's you will find they last longer.. .total life span wise.. That is if your U-2200's went in 8 years the larger batteries may last 10 or longer because they have not been discharged as far between charges.

NOTE: Recharge time is NOT linear That is to say if you discharge twice the battery to the same level the BULK recharge time (Given the same converter/charger) will double.. but the ABSORPTION will not. and that's the longer re-charge stage.. Bulk on my U-2200's takes about 2 hours max. with the converter I have, Absorption 4 or so.. If I doubled my batteries it would take 4 hours max (But only half as often) and still 4 hours or so for absorption.

My opinion of your purposed change: Depending on if the batteries fit in the space allocated.. Excellent idea.

Montana Dan · 03-07-2010, 10:12 AM

Concerning the size of the U 2400 6 VOLT batteries. THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS A U2200. I went out and measured my 2400's and they match the specs of the 2200's. Please go to Google, type in U2400 interstate batteries and review the specs for all of the U batteries. My 2200's fit exactly in the existing battery tray. The 2400 do the same. Hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion.

Corkey · 03-07-2010, 10:30 AM

Wa8yxm, .. you don't mention which battery you are comparing the to the U2200.

"THe only possible problem I can see is that the two batteries are NOT the same size"

Is it the U2400 or the L16H ?

Montana Dan · 03-07-2010, 10:33 AM

It's the U2400 vs the U 2200

mythplaced · 03-07-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythplaced

The Trojan L16Hs are the same footprint and have 435 Ah...same as 2 2200's

shop well available for $250

Please note...I said the "FOOTPRINT" is the same.....and it is

...the extra length comes from the handles...and those have no bearing on the footprint....

Yes they weigh #125 each....but you get TWICE the capacity Two people can easily install...as long as you can deal with the height....They fit easily into an Alpine...

And to get 875 Ah for around $1k is equivalent in cost and weigh far LESS than 10 2200's...

vegascouple · 03-07-2010, 11:19 AM

I'd like to ask a related question. I have to replace my house batteries soon. Are Interstate batteries worth pay about double what it would cost me to replace them with Golf cart batteries from Sams Club?

Spider · 03-07-2010, 02:43 PM

My original post asked about u2400 versus u2200. I ask this because the 2400 has the same footprint and HEIGHT as the 2200. If I had more space for height I would not have even posted a question but used something similar to the trojan battery mentioned in above post... Vegascouple As far as Sams club 6 volt batteries...make sure you compare amp hour ratings...You probably need to replace them with at least the same rating as you currently have.

EngineerMike · 03-07-2010, 03:11 PM

MontanaDan- Sound like you had a problem w/the u2200 string, probably one or two bad cells or a bad battery in the set. I had that on my rig w/6 u2200's from the factory. At first they did OK, but never my idea of right. Didn't take long to notice the fall off in charge soon as we were dry camping. I'd lose hte surface charge, then drop to 12.3 or so volts real quick. Even then I didn't have trouble operating slides (about 70A draw on my HWH setup) or the microwave (150A draw).
Given those loads, my bad battery, and your trouble operating one slide, I'd say you had one dead batt drawing the rest down.