Battery question ?

[don-deb]

Sorry if this has been asked before.....I can't find any posts on it.

I need to replace both starting batteries on my coach.......I'm looking at... 12V AGM...31 series ( screw post ).....with around 925 CCA.......ANY suggestions on a good brand ???

Thanks ........

[Gary RVRoamer]

I wouldn't use AGMs for a starting battery myself, but you can if you want. Drives the expense way up, though, and an AGM has no particular advantage as a starting battery. I'm not even sure you can get an AGM with a CCA rating as high as you need. 800 CCA is about the most I've seen in an AGM type battery.

925 CCA is about the minimum for your engine. (50-1000 would be even better. Freightliner sells the Alliance brand battery (their private label) and it is pretty good. I have Harris G31's in mine (Cummins ISL) and they are 950 CCA.

[jfran304]

Quote:

Originally Posted by don-deb Sorry if this has been asked before.....I can't find any posts on it. I need to replace both starting batteries on my coach.......I'm looking at... 12V AGM...31 series ( screw post ).....with around 925 CCA.......ANY suggestions on a good brand ??? Thanks ........

Don-Deb,

Check out the Tiffin Owners network: TiffinRVNetwork and do a search on batteries there was a discussion not long ago. Seems like Sam's Club had some on sale.

Good Luck,
Jon

[don-deb]

OK....thanks Gary. I assumed AGM would be better for my app.....so I wouldn't worry about spilled acid......

Should I use a sealed battery then ?

[offthewall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by don-deb Sorry if this has been asked before.....I can't find any posts on it. I need to replace both starting batteries on my coach.......I'm looking at... 12V AGM...31 series ( screw post ).....with around 925 CCA.......ANY suggestions on a good brand ??? Thanks ........

If you want the very best AGM starting battery at very high price. This is it:

Odyssey PC2150T Battery: BatteryMart.com

94 Ah @ 20hr rate
1090 CCA
2150 Cranking Amps for 5 Seconds
200 Minute Reserve Capacity
Cycle life @ 77° F 400 at 100% DOD

A pair of these are my next addition. Zero worries, no leaks, incredibly long storage life.

[bldrbob]

My starting batteries came from Sam's club.

[dons2346]

I converted all my batteries, start and house to Lifelines back in '04. All are in great shape, still working. I would go with them again.

[offthewall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346 I converted all my batteries, start and house to Lifelines back in '04. All are in great shape, still working. I would go with them again.

+2 on the Lifelines for house batteries, that's what I have. I feel the Oddyseys are even better for starting batteries. They've got a bit higher CCA ratings with the same bullet-proof AGM advantages. Either is top of the line and highly recommended.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Quote:

I assumed AGM would be better for my app.....so I wouldn't worry about spilled acid......

Spilled acid? Are you planning on driving the coach upside down?

You might find a sealed (maintenance free battery) without going for AGM, though.

Sealed vs not is a non-issue for automotive starting batteries (in my opinion). You probably don't have an AGM in your car, right?

[offthewall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer Spilled acid? Are you planning on driving the coach upside down? You might find a sealed (maintenance free battery) without going for AGM, though. Sealed vs not is a non-issue for automotive starting batteries (in my opinion). You probably don't have an AGM in your car, right?

Actually I DO use AGM's in certain vehicles as starting batteries. I've got one in my 1972 VW Beetle Convertible and one in my Harley and will replace the starting batteries in the RV when they die. Among other things, AGM's are very good at holding a charge for long periods of time. Perfect for vehicles that may sit for a few months without use. Turn the battery cutoff switch off, come back 4 months later and that AGM is still at full charge ready to go year after year. Also both in the VW and the Harley, I don't want any chance of acid corroding the battery compartments. I spent enough time redoing the floor pans on that old VW already. No, in my daily driver I wouldn't spend the money on an AGM starting battery.

[Triker56]

On my Harley I just have the plain maintenance free from the HD shop.

I parked mine last April 2010 & took the negative cable off. Last Friday 2/25 I hooked the cable back up. Had to turn the key on/off a few time to get pressure in the FI fuel line.

Only took a couple cranks and it was running just like it was before I parked it. That battery was put in it 2/27/07 4 years old off the shelf.
And started fine after a 10 month sit. No AMG needed here.

It did take a HD Battery Tender trickle charger almost 24 hours before it went from Red to Green even after a 30 mile ride on it.

[offthewall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56 On my Harley I just have the plain maintenance free from the HD shop. I parked mine last April 2010 & took the negative cable off. Last Friday 2/25 I hooked the cable back up. Had to turn the key on/off a few time to get pressure in the FI fuel line. Only took a couple cranks and it was running just like it was before I parked it. That battery was put in it 2/27/07 4 years old off the shelf. And started fine after a 10 month sit. No AMG needed here. It did take a HD Battery Tender trickle charger almost 24 hours before it went from Red to Green even after a 30 mile ride on it.

I could never make an argument that you NEED AGM's for any application. Batteries are just one of many things I like to over do. All I'm trying to say is that if you want the very best, over-engineered, absolutely bullet proof, completely maintenance free, worry free, cost no object, battery performance, AGM's are the way to go. Can you do it cheaper with flooded cell batteries? Certainly, but with some compromises to the stated advantages of the AGM's. It all depends on your budget and approach to these type of things.

[don-deb]

I checked out both the Interstate and Sears Platinum. Both are AGM group 31's. I like the Platinum best for the higher CCA power. It's 1150 CCA compared to Interstate's 920 CCA. The costs are similar ...the Platinum is $259....with a 3 year replacement guarrantee.

Now...... Im considering changing all 4 of the 6V house batteries also. Since I need to remove the house batteries to access the starters.....I might as well change them also.....and be done with it.

Any suggestions on what make and model 6V's to use ? Im considering AGM's here as well.

Thanks

[wa8yxm]

I am going to talk about 3 (Plus 4th briefly) type of batteries

1: Flooded wet cell: Lowest cost per amp hour, however you need to py attention to their care and feeding... Lack of proper maintenance is a killer on these things.

2: Maintenance free: This is also a wet cell, but the proper name is Valve Regulated Lead Acid, and they have lower emissions (Less out gassing) and need far less maintenance,, In fact ideally they need amost none though Mine need terminal cleaning on occasion.

3: AGM, These are a special case of VRLA maintenence free, they have the ADVANTAGE of not being marked "This side up" you can mount them on end, or side or an angle, even upsdie down and they work fine.. Wet types you can not do this... SOME AGM's can charge a bit faster, but in truth not that much faster. (perhaps 30 minutes on recharge cycle)

And the 4th type is Gel, Like AGM mount in any position but avoid these as they are very delicate re-charge wise.


For starting batteries I'd go with Maintenance free.