Community Forums

DJ55 · 11-06-2018, 12:12 PM

I want to replace my single 8D wet lead acid chassis battery with a battery that doesn't require checking and filling the water, etc. So, maintenance free/sealed or AGM. Do you have any recommendations?

I know it's important to get enough CCAs, particularly with just one battery. Does anyone know which battery Country Coach originally spec'ed for the chassis?

W0GEN · 11-06-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ55

I want to replace my single 8D wet lead acid chassis battery with a battery that doesn't require checking and filling the water, etc. So, maintenance free/sealed or AGM. Do you have any recommendations?

I know it's important to get enough CCAs, particularly with just one battery. Does anyone know which battery Country Coach originally spec'ed for the chassis?

Unlike the house battery you are more interested in cold cranking amps... I would not purchase AGM, I would save your money and buy a good sealed maintenance free Battery. Any battery manufactured by East Penn is by far the best in it's class. They have a stronger post bonding, which virtually eliminates post and clamp corrosion so common on Exide's...

Not sure where you are from... most Farm and Fleets carry their labeled brand that is by East Penn.

2 Stroker · 11-06-2018, 05:17 PM

My batteries are going on 7 years old. I have 4 6v and 1 8D and for what it is worth after I replaced my echo charger with the Magnum Combiner and also installed a Magnum 2812 inverter little over 5 years ago I have only add water to the chassis 8D one time and the house maybe 5 times. When I do get new batteries next year I think they will be East Penn and may be able to get them in Portland by the air port.
Here is there web page
Product Listing - East Penn Manufacturing
plus they are up your way in Washington if you want to pay the tax

East Penn Manufacturing | Contact Us
2 stroker

vito.a · 11-06-2018, 05:25 PM

I did not have very good luck with the large 8D commercial batteries. They crank slow and do not last very long. They are also very difficult to handle.

I looked around and a lot of the diesel coaches and trucks are using group 31P batteries instead. I found a NAPA group 31P rated at 1125CCA and installed two in parallel. Two 1125 CCA group 31P batteries work much better than a single 8D rated at 1400 CCA.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBE7235

Also, if you have a coach with two 8D batteries (ISX, Detroit 60 or Cat C13/15), you can replace them with three group 31P Napa batteries and it will crank better than two 8D commercial batteries. If you have one of the new gear reduction starters, you can get by with two group 31P's.

Tmyz · 11-06-2018, 06:41 PM

I just replaced my 6 optima red top with 2 wet cell 1400 cca from batteries and bulbs in Henderson NV. 184.00 each installed. Coach cranked so fast it scared me. Very happy with purchase and the owner Dan was super knowledgeable and helpful. Eric olstrum and Kevin from Oregon both agreed the 8 d was the way to go.

Tmyz · 11-06-2018, 06:42 PM

Btw. These are Duracell branded Made by Deka. ( east penn )

DJ55 · 11-06-2018, 06:57 PM

Those Duracell/Deka's sound good (are they sealed/maintenance free?), but I do like the idea of getting away from an 8D and going with a battery I can actually move by myself. So, I'm leaning toward Vito's group 31P suggestion.

DJ55 · 11-06-2018, 09:14 PM

I noticed that the Napa 31P battery suggested by Vito looks exactly like the Duracell branded one made by Deka, just with a Napa label on it. So, the Napa one is probably also an East Penn/Deka battery.

dons2346 · 11-06-2018, 09:46 PM

I replaced my Lifeline 8D AGM after 10 years of service.

The Lifelines are used to start turbine aircraft in military and civilian applications so there is plenty of CCA for a diesel

birdhunter · 11-06-2018, 10:26 PM

I've had two 8D Lifeline AGM's for my chassis batteries for 10 years now. Still working fine and I am in Sub-Zero temperatures every year for a while.

Rich 2002 Magna

Smitty77 · 11-07-2018, 10:21 AM

If going wet, consider the CAT 8D Starter Battery. 1500CCA.

If going AGM, either go 8D Lifeline (I just put this in, to replace the CAT.). Or, possibly look at X's2 GRP31 from Fullriver.

No right or wrong, just choices. Price differences, maintenance differences - whatever is important to a buyer

!

Best to all,
Smitty

Tmyz · 11-07-2018, 10:47 AM

Mine were not sealed. I have a ton of upgrades to do so went least cost for now.

deandec · 11-07-2018, 07:47 PM

I bought two 8d 1200 CCA wet cell chassis batteries from Batteries Plus in 2010.

They had a one year warranty.

They are still working fine.

They do not require as much maintenance attention as my four Golf Cart batteries from Costco that last for about 3+ years.

DJ55 · 11-07-2018, 08:51 PM

I'd prefer AGM for the truly maintenance-free and completely sealed aspect. For those of you with Lifeline 8D's, where do you recommend buying them? And, did you install them yourself?