Community Forums

Rocky2016 · 08-19-2017, 09:43 AM

Well, I need to replace the coach batteries in my recently acquired 2007 Allure 430. I found out that the coach batteries are original. It has 2, AGM 8DL 12v batteries rated at 255AH each. I'm thinking about going to 6v batteries @225AH. Thinking 4 would give me 900AH. Should be enough to handle the residential fridge. If not there is ample room to add 2 more. BTW, there is no solar. I would appreciate any comments.

barclay7568 · 08-19-2017, 09:57 AM

Two 225 AH of 6V will give you 225AH of 12V. Four will give you 450 AH of 12V. I replaced my 2 8D 12V batteries with four 6V 335AH AGMs for a total of 670AH, however, I also added solar of 840 watts of 30V panels on the roof.

My coach is a 2004 Allure with filter bay in right rear bay followed by the battery bank in the next forward bay. I was afraid of adding solar because of the "unknown" of install but once I got started, it turned out to be easy as far as pulling wires, etc. I use the solar now more than hookup and should have done it many moons ago but each person's use of the coach is different.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

barclay7568 · 08-19-2017, 10:08 AM

Rocky, I also should have said that I do not have residential fridge. I have read your battery bank will have to be much larger than my coach will handle in batteries and I didn't want to get creative with a new, larger battery bank.

Rocky2016 · 08-19-2017, 10:17 AM

Ok, I'm learning things. Looks like I will need 6 six volt batteries. I do like your idea of the 335AH AGM. I just don't like the 150lb 8D of which I would need 3. There is ample room in the battery compartment.

2 Stroker · 08-19-2017, 10:56 AM

I have had a RR frig Samsung going on 4 years and it has never been turned off, run on the inverter all the time. (don't like to reset the micro clock) I have 4(6V) batteries and have boondocked for 6 days with no problems. Run gen set in the morning then in the evening to charge the batteries.
I would go back with what you have now, just bite the bullet.
2 stroker

Smitty77 · 08-19-2017, 11:02 AM

Saw X's 4 of these for 600AH's in a fiver a few months back. Owner replaced X's 2 8D's with these. Wanted a bit more AH reserves (though he said he'd done fine on about 450AH bank), and did not want to wrestle with the heavier batteries (4D, 8D, L16's).

These are just under 100lbs, so for the once every 5-7 years (Or whenever!) you have to put them in, or take them out, will not be quite as bad as the ~twice as heavy 8D's

!

As you said, lots of space in most of our coaches battery compartments. It really allows you many options. The downside, while miner, of more batteries. Is needing to 'properly' cable them (Seen many installs which I felt were less then stellar in choice, lengths, quality of cables.), and just more connections to add to your yearly maintenance inspection check list

!

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

GPL-30HT - Lifeline Batteries

nkgunner · 08-19-2017, 03:35 PM

Whose's did you replace four 6V 335AH AGMs? I have 4 Lifelines and will need to switch them out.

Sorry about the highjack..

redcolorado · 08-19-2017, 06:31 PM

Do you boon dock? If you don't it might be a waste of money to add more batteries. We never boon dock and 2 6 volt batteries have worked very well for 6 years. Even with power off the 2 batteries will run the Samsung overnight.

Rocky2016 · 08-19-2017, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkgunner

Whose's did you replace four 6V 335AH AGMs? I have 4 Lifelines and will need to switch them out.

Sorry about the highjack..

Ok, great advice from all. I think I may bite the bullet and go with the 8d's. In 6-8 years I'm not to sure I could handle 100lbs of any battery. Guess I'll spend the money for the 8d's. Thanks for all the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

smlranger · 08-20-2017, 06:16 AM

I replaced the two 8D AGM's back in 2013 with six, 6V Full River GC225 AGM's. My thinking then was if I had to do anything with my batteries I could handle the individual battery weight myself....not so with the 158 lb 8D's.

As noted by Smitty, cabling 6 batteries is a chore but I had really good cables made up and have had no issue. Battery maintenance consists of blowing the dust off them.

rampage42 · 08-20-2017, 08:33 AM

Spend the extra money and get Lifeline 8ds, install as many as you can. Only way to go if you dry camp as we do. Solar helps as well.

sdfd911 · 08-20-2017, 03:23 PM

Has anyone invested in Lithium batteries , what brand did u go with what they cost and where purchased .
Thanks

barclay7568 · 08-20-2017, 11:18 PM

I did a quick online search and learned the Lifeline 8D 12V with 255 AH go for @ $650 with free shipping. I don't know if prices have come down over the past couple of years but 3 years ago when I was pricing these, they wanted $900 for the same battery.

I also just checked on lithium ion and a 12V 260AH Group 8D RV battery weighs in at 80 lbs. but tips the scales at $3000. A 300 AH weighs 95 lbs. and goes for $3500.

When I was researching batteries a few years ago when installing my solar, the general consensus was that LI were the wave of the future for RVs and as they became more popular, the prices would come down a lot and they would be taking over the market primarily because they weigh half of a standard battery and can withstand a total discharge.

BrianGlenn · 08-21-2017, 06:23 AM

I replaced the original Lifeline 8D's (two) in my 2007 Allure 470 with Discover Energy 8D's (two). 280Ah times two for 560 Ah total.

I do have room for 4x8D's in my battery bay (may be similar to yours), however I have never had any issue boon docking for 5-7 days (depending on energy usage). I replaced out all my puck halogens (42 of them) with LEDs.

Brian