Community Forums

tlgood · 08-05-2019, 05:05 AM

It’s getting time to replace the 6 volt deep cycle U2200 house batteries on our Holiday Rambler. Any suggestions on what brand to place with? I’m kind of thinking Interstate or Trojan but I’ve seen that the battery makers run under other labels too. Thoughts?

twinboat · 08-05-2019, 05:24 AM

What ever brand Sam's Club, Batteries + or Costco sells.

Bigd9 · 08-05-2019, 06:29 AM

I do like Twinboat indicates.

But, before you do change them, please please take pictures of the existing battery tops showing the wire hookups. I found it works best if you number or letter each battery using masking tape and a marker before taking close up pictures. You would be surprised at the number of owners who come on this forum and say "something isn't working after I changing out the batteries". Even if you get someone else to change them for you, before pictures will be a big help if they screw something up. (a friend took his coach to Camping World for new batteries. They called and told him the coach was dead and he needed a new inverter and relays. When he got there he found a cable dragging on the ground. Since we have the same year and model coach he contacted me and asked for pictures he knew I would have. He not only figured out where the dragging cable went, but he found another cable that they had installed wrong.)

450Donn · 08-05-2019, 06:33 AM

Call a golf cart dealer and see if they will sell you some. Fresh, best prices around.

speed racer · 08-05-2019, 06:34 AM

If you buy them online from BATT's+BULB's and pick them up at the store you can get a 10% discount.

denverh · 08-05-2019, 07:12 AM

I got 2 6v deep cycles at Batteries+ and are very happy with them. they are duracells which is made in PA as I recall. They actually installed them for a few bucks. I had taken pics of the wires before I even went to the store and watched as the person that did the installation did the same thing before removing the old batteries. I would use them again. I had asked in the store about the extra 10% off deal and they said they would give the discount to me whether I ordered online or came into the store. Since we tend to do a lot of overnight boondocking when traveling from place to place I am very happy with the batteries perform and held up.

jacwjames · 08-05-2019, 07:15 AM

I will be installing a residential refrigerator soon. My current batteries are ~6 years old and will need to be replaced soon. I am contemplating going to AGM batteries, Sam's Clubs have them for a good price. When the time comes I'll do some more price checking.

tlgood · 08-06-2019, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

I do like Twinboat indicates.

But, before you do change them, please please take pictures of the existing battery tops showing the wire hookups. I found it works best if you number or letter each battery using masking tape and a marker before taking close up pictures. You would be surprised at the number of owners who come on this forum and say "something isn't working after I changing out the batteries". Even if you get someone else to change them for you, before pictures will be a big help if they screw something up. (a friend took his coach to Camping World for new batteries. They called and told him the coach was dead and he needed a new inverter and relays. When he got there he found a cable dragging on the ground. Since we have the same year and model coach he contacted me and asked for pictures he knew I would have. He not only figured out where the dragging cable went, but he found another cable that they had installed wrong.)

Thanks for the advice on the pictures! Really hadn’t thought of that.

vagaron · 08-06-2019, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlgood

It’s getting time to replace the 6 volt deep cycle U2200 house batteries on our Holiday Rambler.

I replaced mine on our '06 PA with 2 Duracells (SLIGC145UT) and got a good price at a Batteries Plus store. That was >2 yrs ago, still going strong.

Barneyb · 08-06-2019, 05:43 AM

I just did this on our Discovery and did a lot of research. I ended up with NAPA batteries, as good as any and NAPA stores are all over the US.

Bigd9 · 08-06-2019, 05:49 AM

Just a few things I do when working with batteries. Even if you are replacing them, cleaning the outside is important to keep battery acid from contaminating everything they touch. First I apply baking soda/water mix all over the batteries. This will neutralize the acid, then wash them off. I also sometimes use a CRC Battery Cleaner instead of baking soda.

I always use disposable gloves and safety glasses. Battery acid, which is concentrated sulfuric acid, and eyeballs don't play well with each other. Also wear clothing that you don't mind if they get holes. Again sulfuric acid and cotton clothing do not mix.

The batteries are heavy! They weigh about 60 pounds. So be really careful lifting them and carrying them. They are a backbreaker. Not to mention if they start to slip out of your hands you had better make sure your piggies are not in the way as gravity sends the battery toward them.

Be safe out there.

Crasher · 08-06-2019, 07:01 AM

If your budget can afford them, consider Lifeline AGM batteries. Four years ago, I replaced my six 2 year old wet cells with 300 amp Lifelines for 900 amps of battery storage. Once a year, I roll the tray out to check the connections and they have always been tight and looked like the day I installed them. No fuss and no mess. I fully expect them to last another 4-5 years or more. They might not be for everyone, but they are a very reliable option for some.

Waiter21 · 08-06-2019, 07:28 AM

I shopped for GC-2s a couple months ago to replace two group-24 12 volt batteries.

Costco had 210 amp for $99 (Interstate brand)

I wanted the most capacity I could get so I bought two Duracells (235 amp) for $130 each at Batteries Plus.

http://www.1999southwind.com/upgrade...2-volt-system/

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