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Old 06-10-2015, 09:07 AM   #1
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Replacing Chassis Batteries

So, long story short - I cooked one of the chassis batteries and I want to replace both. But Com_Net doesn't list information specific to the chassis batts and I'm not having any luck finding information online or on IRV2.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but - I can use any brand as long as 1) they physically fit in the space allowed, and 2) they have enough CCA's to reliably turn over the engine year after year... right? I understand there will be many preferences and loyalties to specific types / brands, but I can choose among any of them, correct?

So here's my dilemma: I can't find any information about how many CCA's the new batteries should have. I imagine a lot of you might say "as many as you can get" but if I don't need 900 CCA's x 2 batteries then I really don't want to waste that money.

My completely uneducated guess would be I need two 700-750 CCA batteries... but this isn't something I wanna guess at. I also don't want to use the existing batteries as a guide because for all I know they were under-powered and that caused the problem in the first place.

So... any suggestions?

Thanks everyone!
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:15 AM   #2
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Using undersize batteries could cost you a starter in the long run , so no $$ savings by going light duty.
Freightliner specs for my coach are 950 CCAs.
Depending on your engine you may have a higher spec.

Freightliner free help
1-800-385-4357
Spartan M/H support
1-800-543-4277

Have your serial number handy when you call.
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:23 AM   #3
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Thanks, Skip! Yeah, I just called Spartan (which I should have done before wasting anyone's time on here!)

I need group 31, 950 CCA.

I don't mind spending the money on the bigger / better batteries, I just didn't wanna waste any if I didn't have to.

Thanks!
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Old 06-10-2015, 07:55 PM   #4
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Thumbs up replace batteries

950 cca group 31 batteries are the most common semi batteries on the market today and there are some really bad ones out there...stick with a name brand---you won't get much on warrantee--that's the way things are with the battery makers these days. Look more for freshness---something that says E15 would be fresh. Look closely at the cables some of the new molded cable ends tend to hide the corrosion and you may even have to cut the rubber molding open if you see any green at all.
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Old 06-10-2015, 08:19 PM   #5
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May I suggest Costco has 48 month FREE replacement if their Battery fails. BEST price etc. Sanford
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Old 06-10-2015, 08:21 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wryly Blithe View Post
Thanks, Skip! Yeah, I just called Spartan (which I should have done before wasting anyone's time on here!)

I need group 31, 950 CCA.

I don't mind spending the money on the bigger / better batteries, I just didn't wanna waste any if I didn't have to.

Thanks!
That's what our just traded Dutch Star had. The Magna we traded it in on has 4-925 CCA Group 31's and they aren't in the best shape. Found a Freightliner shop with 925's on sale for $74 each. They might not be the greatest but they should be sufficient for our needs which may go way down due to the DW's health.

The factory brochure for the Magna says it has 2 8D AGM's for starting. Check the prices on them for a shock as we do have 4 of them for the house.
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Old 06-10-2015, 08:50 PM   #7
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Mr. D

I just replaced mine with some from a local truck parts supplier. 3yr pro rated same as what was in my DSDP (2@950 31's) for $90 a piece (paid my Canadian premium). I always buy parts like that from local truck shops that have high volume, the guys will tell you what is good and what sucks and the parts are usually "fresh"

With batteries always go bigger if you can. Usually the price is negligible and they will be far better off.
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:19 PM   #8
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Napa has them for $99.
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:34 PM   #9
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Napa has them for $99.
Yep, that's where I went... mostly because they're close, they had two fresh ones in stock, they're reliable (at least in the short term) and they were cheap enough that if I decide to upgrade in a couple years I won't feel like I wasted that much money.

I put them in today, but it was so hot out that I couldn't do much more. Tomorrow morning (before the heat hits) I'm going to service all the batteries. They're a little dirty with a very slight amount of corrosion on one terminal, so I'll be washing them down with a little baking soda and water. Then I'll top them all off and add a little mineral oil.

Then it's on to the next thing I don't know is broken yet
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:38 PM   #10
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Napa has them for $99.
The $74 ones I mentioned above are made by Exide but will need to investigate them some more to see what warranty they have.
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Yep, that's where I went... mostly because they're close, they had two fresh ones in stock, they're reliable (at least in the short term) and they were cheap enough that if I decide to upgrade in a couple years I won't feel like I wasted that much money.

I put them in today, but it was so hot out that I couldn't do much more. Tomorrow morning (before the heat hits) I'm going to service all the batteries. They're a little dirty with a very slight amount of corrosion on one terminal, so I'll be washing them down with a little baking soda and water. Then I'll top them all off and add a little mineral oil.

Then it's on to the next thing I don't know is broken yet
Here are our chassis batteries after 8 years and never having been cleaned, each cell had 4 oz of mineral oil in them:
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Old 06-11-2015, 07:26 AM   #12
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Good enough for me, Mr. D, thanks! Saved me one chore today
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Old 06-11-2015, 07:47 AM   #13
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6 volt chassis batteries?
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Old 06-11-2015, 08:35 AM   #14
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Quote:
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6 volt chassis batteries?

Wired in series to output 12 volts. 🚌

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