Community Forums

Alangrissom · 09-20-2017, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSteve

We bought our 1999 Dutch Star from friends. We have owned it about 2-3 years, and it spent pretty much the last year parked in Florida. When my wife flew down to bring it back north and out of the way of Irma, all four batteries were dead. Now, I did replace two of them - probably the chassis batteries, but I don't swear to it - about two years ago.

Should I have been surprised that ALL FOUR batteries needed to be replaced?

Should I have been surprised to pay about $900 for four batteries, installation, and service call?

The answer is likely yes to all you questions

Smitty77 · 09-20-2017, 10:11 PM

davebw31 - Were the Trojan's you used AGM's, or wet cells?

TIA,
Smitty

Mr_D · 09-20-2017, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Alangrissum is probably correct. He was joking with you. I too have never seen a MH with six "Chassis" batteries. Most DP have two. Mine only has two, but I do have six "House" batteries, same as you.

Mine was supposed to only have 2 8D AGM's for starting batteries but came with 4 925 CCA low maintenance batteries so that's what I replaced them with

nova 42qd · 09-21-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSteve

We bought our 1999 Dutch Star from friends. We have owned it about 2-3 years, and it spent pretty much the last year parked in Florida. When my wife flew down to bring it back north and out of the way of Irma, all four batteries were dead. Now, I did replace two of them - probably the chassis batteries, but I don't swear to it - about two years ago.

Should I have been surprised that ALL FOUR batteries needed to be replaced?

Should I have been surprised to pay about $900 for four batteries, installation, and service call?

It depends on the batteries. 12V AGM batteries seem to be around $200...and up. Four of those with installation is a good deal at $900.

Winemaker2 · 09-21-2017, 09:33 AM

Leaving unit sit for extended time w/o periodic charging or batty maintainer not good practice.
Batty will lose charge and extended time at low charge will harm an otherwise good batty...heat is also not great for batty life... hold charge longer in cold temps.
AGMs will hold charge longer but cost about 2X.

davebw31 · 09-21-2017, 01:11 PM

Smitty77: they were wet cell. The Fullriver I bought were the first AGMs I ever bought. As you can read in my post is not just buying AGMs and installing them. It is the total "package", charger, etc.

davebw31 · 09-21-2017, 01:25 PM

I keep hearing about the $$$$ for AGMs and if you really look at the facts of wet cell verses glass mat technology the cost is actually cheaper over the long term in favor of the AGM. Plus AGMs do not gas like wet cell, no distilled water to add, and specs. that dictate excellent discharge/charge rates and the reduction of sulfation (sic) to zero!

I paid $234 per AGM in 2006 so I guess they will be closer to $275-300 each.

Now if you are selling your coach and need to change out the batteries then I would get cheap wet cell type. In order to recoup your $$$ on AGMs you need to keep your coach for min. 6 years. Also having AGMs is a great selling feature!