Life span of coach batteries/suggested replacement

[resullivan]

AS the coach batteries (8) are original in my 2017 LADP I would think replacement time is not too far off. Suggestions for replacement batteries appreciated.

[pasdad1]

What is your budget for batteries? I like Lifeline AGM for direct replacement of flooded or AGM batteries.

Lithium battery replacement is another discussion, as some charging component or wiring changes may be required.

[Mark_K5LXP]

Just for consideration, it would be useful to know what kind of batteries you have now and if they meet your needs. Hard to argue with a set that lasted 6 years, if they did OK then you could just replace in kind and down the road you go.

As a point of curiosity, you could do a capacity test on the ones you have and see where they stand. Knowing what they're capable of vs how they're working for you will provide a baseline to keep what you have, get something bigger/better, or in some cases even reduce the bank size. If you're on shore power most of the time then you might be just as well off with six or even four batteries, saving money and effort.

Folks here can recommend what works for them which is curious and interesting but I think you'll want to know better what will work for you. Only you know how you use what you have, so understanding your operating parameters better will net you a more accurate choice in the end.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[twojayhawks]

I'm a fan of Lifeline AGM as well. I also replaced my 8 OE flooded batts with 4 higher capacity AGM's. Do ask yourself if you need as much battery bank capacity as Newmar installed. I decided I did not. You might want to check out below thread on that topic.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/do-...es-556046.html

[PanJH]

When I needed to replace the OEM flooded batteries in our DS, I went with Duracell AGM's from Sam's Club.

[sramer]

I was disappointed in my original AGM batteries as they only lasted a little over 3 years and I have been meticulous about maintaining them.

This week i replaced them with 3 Battleborn Game Changers batteries which are 270 AH each.

As pasdad1 said above, there is a lot of wiring changes and the addition DC to DC chargers because the engine alternator can not charge lithium batteries.

As far as expense, it was about two and a half time what Lifeline AGM replacment would have been.

[erald]

I made my lithium batteries myself from the 3.2V 280 Ah cells. Bought 16 of those and made 4 12 V 280 Ah batteries. Changed the BIM for a LiBIM to avoid the alternator to burn up. There are some cabling changes to be made but if you only replace the batteries it is not that much. (I added solar and made several more changes for that.)
Total costs is a bit more than one Battleborn 270Ah. I have now 1120Ah for a few hundred more.
The only thing is you got to line the bay so it is not open anymore (which is needed for lead acid batteries, but not for Lithium)

[bluefin]

We just did the whole compartment and tray clean up/paint and went with 8 Lifeline AGM's. Had Lifelines in the boat for 8 years and they are still good.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by erald

I made my lithium batteries myself from the 3.2V 280 Ah cells. Bought 16 of those and made 4 12 V 280 Ah batteries. Changed the BIM for a LiBIM to avoid the alternator to burn up. There are some cabling changes to be made but if you only replace the batteries it is not that much. (I added solar and made several more changes for that.)

Total costs is a bit more than one Battleborn 270Ah. I have now 1120Ah for a few hundred more.

The only thing is you got to line the bay so it is not open anymore (which is needed for lead acid batteries, but not for Lithium)

Where did you buy the 3.2v cells?

[Sweetbriar]

Several factors you will need to consider particularly with how do you camp.

Heavy on the off grid camping spending days or weeks unplugged then Lithium might be best for your needs. A few weekends a year at the beach living off what you can bring in then AGMs should be OK. An occasional overnight parking lot rest stop a couple of basic flood golf cart batteries will keep the fridge cold. If 99.9% of your camping is full hookups camp sites but you need some amp for the slides and levelers then a deep cycle is all you probably need.

I'm an occasional weekend boondocker and have four inexpensive Sam's Club 6V GC2 batteries that work just fine for my needs and budget.

[George Schweikle]

Yep, budget comes into the equation for some of us. While I didn't check recently, I suspect very roughly, AGM is double cost of 6V wet cell, and Lithium is at least double AGM. If you can stand the issue of maintaining the lowest cost wet call batteries, and their performance suits your camping style, the trade-off in cost may suit your situation. Or, no matter how much money you have, there is a product or service to separate you from that money

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

Several factors you will need to consider particularly with how do you camp.

Heavy on the off grid camping spending days or weeks unplugged then Lithium might be best for your needs. A few weekends a year at the beach living off what you can bring in then AGMs should be OK. An occasional overnight parking lot rest stop a couple of basic flood golf cart batteries will keep the fridge cold. If 99.9% of your camping is full hookups camp sites but you need some amp for the slides and levelers then a deep cycle is all you probably need.

I'm an occasional weekend boondocker and have four inexpensive Sam's Club 6V GC2 batteries that work just fine for my needs and budget.

[sramer]

Got done with my Lithium batteries conversion with 3 of the new Battleborn GC3 270ah each batteries.

I modified the narrow slide out tray and only lost 24" of that but gained the entire battery compartment for storage. And what I really like is I now have a vented area to carry propane bottles.