Community Forums

Doug-Terrie · 03-27-2023, 06:00 PM

After looking through this forum, watching a bunch of YouTube videos, searching the internet and reading reviews, I ended up deciding on the Walmart AGM battery. Why that one? An impressive head to head comparison (YouTube video) several match ups of on-line reviews, the fact that it says “made in Germany” on the battery etc. This one has 900 cca and a 4 year warranty. At $170 each I think this is the best bang for the buck. I spoke with several auto and diesel instructors at my school and while they didn’t love my choice they said it would be fine.

So here’s the problem. The Everstart max h8 is too big. I have 13” width (next to the coach batteries) in my 2005 Monaco Diplomat battery bay. The h8 is 14” wide.

The current batteries are Cat 175-4390. It has 1000 cca. The date is 11/19 making it just 4yrs old. The coach is new to me so I don’t know how the batteries were cared for. I do know the motorhome struggled to start on the return trip from where we bought it (about 6 hours away). And will not hold a charge. The physical dimensions are 6.5 x 13 inches.

Perhaps I should have asked this substantial group of wiser RVers first.

Should I look for a h6 size? What performance loss would I expect? Do I have to have a minimum of 1,000 cca (x2)?

Bottom line- what battery (starting/ chassis battery) should I get?

twinboat · 03-27-2023, 06:57 PM

Are you going to use the RV in Michigan winters ?
That's when CCAs really come into play.

If you can leave the block heater on, you'll need less CCAs in cold weather.

If your storing or snowbirding, a little less CCAs will be fine.

Winemaker2 · 03-27-2023, 07:32 PM

Frequently, the air preheated draw more out of the battys than a quick start as they are on much longer. Using eng block htr will help both.
My pair of Alliance chassis battys tested at 50% of rated CCA and still started my MH. At 10 yrs old I decided to replace them before needing to or getting stuck.

Doug-Terrie · 03-28-2023, 04:24 AM

The motorhome will be plugged in to 220 V for the Majority of the time. As I have not retired yet, we won’t be using it next winter. However, in the future, we would like to drive the motorhome someplace warm for the winter months.

I don’t mind paying what I have to, to get the battery or batteries that make for a reliable experience. I just don’t see paying top dollar if you’re not getting top performance.

I would very much welcome recommendations and suggestions.

Twomed · 03-28-2023, 05:22 AM

Hope it's not really plugged in to a house 220v. Plugs look the same but RV receps are wired differently. A search will save you many $$$$.

https://www.myrv.us/electric/

Monaco calls for 950 CCA battery.

153stars · 03-28-2023, 05:35 AM

The group 31 commercial/industrial battery was often used in pairs for DP. These often don't come 6 yr prorate warranty only 12-18 mo replace. Owners often report 10 even up to 12 yrs from them . They are robust like a golf cart batt. Plates not jammed tight in small box. What were OEM size. If you want gp31 start batts in AGM you will pay a premium price for them . I top of my LA start batts twice a year I could likely get by once a year. 4-6vGC and two start batts take me 15 minutes. Real high CCA from smaller battery might not mean better performance on a diesel. Preheat is going to use some reserve power first. Did two ones in there fill space in all directions. Hard to know what a previous owner did due to choice ,cost or what as available at the time.If you go down 100a each I doubt you'll ever know the difference. When it comes to big batteries might not be any difference in CCA just more case around same plates to fit the hole. If ever in doubt use the boost while preheat "wait to start" as toggle the key.

twinboat · 03-28-2023, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twomed

Hope it's not really plugged in to a house 220v. Plugs look the same but RV receps are wired differently. A search will save you many $$$$.

https://www.myrv.us/electric/

Monaco calls for 950 CCA battery.

If its a 50 amp outlet it's 120/240 volts but many call it 220 from the old days.

Twomed · 03-28-2023, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

If its a 50 amp outlet it's 120/240 volts but many call it 220 from the old days.

Just hit the fourth quarter in December, so guess old days fits.

vito.a · 03-28-2023, 10:11 AM

Regardless of what replacement battery you choose, the problem may be your coach does not have a chassis battery charging system. Or, if it does it's not working.
Without a charging system, the parasitic draw will drain then after a few days.
I agree with 153, most of use use two Group 31 engine starting batteries. Mine are not AGM, but are sealed.

Doug-Terrie · 03-28-2023, 02:34 PM

I had a special pedestal installed by Electrician for the 240 V connection. I keep my motorhome plugged in, and the batteries are maintained that way. I am currently in possession of two motorhomes, our current (or older one,) which is still plugged in, and the new one purchased in the fall that came with compromised batteries. Not plugged in. When I checked all 6 batteries were dry low on water. I was hoping I could rehabilitate them all with some attention and charging. The house batteries may be ok. I will try to have the cat batteries tested to be sure they are bad but they are four years old and apparently not maintained. So I will replace them.

Doug-Terrie · 03-28-2023, 02:52 PM

That problem crossed my mind. I really don’t know how well the charging system is working. I do know when driving the motorhome back to Michigan when stopped for fuel it was slow to start back up. I also found a golf tee near the assist button. I have since learned what that was there for. The beer and other things make me think it’s time for new.

vito.a · 03-28-2023, 03:08 PM

The inverter when properly set will charge the house batteries.
Some motorhomes have a BIRD system to also charge the engine start battery once the house batteries are full, but many do not.
If your house batteries are bad then they may never come up to high enough voltage for the system to then charge the engine start battery.

Doug-Terrie · 03-28-2023, 05:58 PM

I re-read my previous post and have no idea why I said “beer”. Sorry for that. Anyhow I have a solution I think. After reading your input and finally figuring out the size and “proper “ batteries to choose, I settled on a Tractor supply/ Interstate. Here’s why: it was on sale, it has 1000 cca and is made for/by interstate. My “other“ motorhome was equipped with 6 interstate batteries when we bought it. They seem to be working well after 5 years. (Granted they have had a cushy life, being plugged in almost all the time).

I think I got a deal, $105 each.

I guess I’ll have to let you know in a few years.