8D Batteries-price

[olyshed]

Just purchased a 03 Affinity and seriously considering replacing the 8D AGM batteries shortly. They are fully charged but would feel much better replacing them all with new and start fresh. Best price for my choice (Lifeline) $645ea free ship, no tax. Does anyone have a source with a better price?

[sc3283]

the shipping costs to buy not locally would kill you....buy them locally

[olyshed]

SC3283: The price I was quoted was Free Shipping, no tax. In addition, If I purchased these locally I would pay 8.4%tax. Even with free ship and no tax these batteries are pricey, just wanted to see if there was a better price out there.

[sc3283]

Remember "free shipping" is a gimmick...Someone has to pay the shipping because carriers(UPS Fed Ex, Truck lines) do charge vendors for shipping

[smlranger]

The only AGM's I can get locally without paying shipping (either stated shipping or 'free shipping' which is really included in the price of the battery) were Deka Intimidator AGM 8D at $545 from Batteries Plus. That price included helping me lift the batteries into coach and remove the old ones for exchange or delivering the new batteries to a local Cummins shop so they could do the swap for me. The price for two batteries was a bit lower per battery than the single battery price.

I have two 8D Deka AGM's in my coach and they load tested fine. I was pricing new ones since I was planning to add one or two since this Allure came from the factory with 4 of the 8D's. Previous owner replaced the OEM batteries in 2011 and apparently decided just to go with 2 8D's.

I understand Lifeline are the absolute best.

[becks]

Just got Lifeline's from Powerstride Battery. There price is often very good, may not be the absolute best price, but pretty close. Worth checking with no tax or shipping.

[wa8yxm]

Someone in another thread somewhere just layed out 700 each for some 8-D AGM's.. Other than their specifications (Which are impressive) that's all I know about 'em.

Oh, and make sure they are DEEP CYCLE, not Marine/Deep cycle which are not nearly as good for RV use.. You should not have a problem finding true Deep Cycle AGM 8-D's

[shaman52]

Add some solar panels and New AGMs as part of the new solar system- then claim all solar system cost as a deduction on your Federal Income Tax form. You could also add a upgraded Inverter with larger charger section and claim that also.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Oh, and make sure they are DEEP CYCLE, not Marine/Deep cycle which are not nearly as good for RV use..

WRONG..."Marine" Deep Cycle are RUGGEDIZED versions of auto deep cycle. They make them in BOTH Dual USE ...start & deep AND pure DEEP CYCLE which is what is needed.
DEKA/EastPenn spec sheets for their whole line are here:
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0194.pdf

You will note that the DEKA Intimidator AGM 8D's weigh 2 lbs MORE than the Lifelines...hardly the mark of a lighter duty dual purpose batt. I further note that the Lifeline RV and Marine batteries in deep cycle are EXACTLY the same in all particulars except the label.

Lifelines are fine batteries...but so are others EastPenn/DEKA FULLRIVER Trojan also make some fine agm 8d's.

[Peralko]

Originally Posted by olyshed

Just purchased a 03 Affinity and seriously considering replacing the 8D AGM batteries shortly. They are fully charged but would feel much better replacing them all with new and start fresh. Best price for my choice (Lifeline) $645ea free ship, no tax. Does anyone have a source with a better price?

Just curious; did you get the 2003 42-foot bed and breakfast Affinity, or the "early" 2004 45-foot Affinity?

[TQ60]

We observed VRLA batteries at Sams today in various sizes, no 8D, but they may be able to order them.

Price did not seem to bad, but these were starting batteries, twice the price as floaded and only one year longer on warranty, they do have lower resistance than floaded, but the current models are crazy good too, so just not worth it on the starting side.

If the coach batteries can be kept cool in their "happy place" they last long time, over heat or over charge and you are in trouble

[olyshed]

Sorry, I was going to purchase the 2003 but instead purchased the 2001 - 40 ft tag w/ 2 slides.

[logansrun]

Just curious....
Why not go with Group 31 s wired in parallel....a lot easier to handle & prolly less costly?????

[TQ60]

And less capacity...

If built for 8D then use them.

Also, telecom batteries like GR12-160 in a pair are about same size as an 8D, and can be purchased used for cheap from battery companies that support cell networks, usually about 50.00 or less.