Search for new Chassis batteries

[skippy67]

Am I lost. I thought it might be worth the extra money to spring for some AGM batteries as the roads are so rough anymore that the chunks of material that settle to the bottom of the batteries short out cells. I have very little knowledge in batteries so I started reading the reviews. Folks are spending over 2K on eight AGM batteries and having them last 1 year. They are then told tough luck! Should I just stick with the conventional 6 volt lead acid deep cell that need to be checked and hope for the best? I know there are some batteries like interstate that can honor a warranty just about anywhere we travel. What say you? T
hanks for any wisdom....

[153stars]

Any set of batteries died in a year were murdered. Someone might end up with a dud battery once in awhile.
I assume chassis you mean start batts. Most diesel are GP31 commercial and most only carry one year warranty AC Delco at Menards carry 18mo. Not unheard of owner replacing these at 10 yrs. . Then just because 10 yrs and still start coach. You can pay over twice as much for AGM. But you won't get twice the life just less ambiance and mess. My chassis battery is only need water maybe once a year. I'll be topping off my house batteries every 6 months so I usually give them a tiny bit then. I don't think the chassis batteries are a great source of corrosion. They're not cycling all the time like a house battery.
If I had to buy it tomorrow I'd probably get the Duracell brand from Sam's Club. Or the AC Delco .

[B52Rnav]

Good luck in finding Duracell GC2 AGM. Those batteries are only available at a few Sam's. If you can find them, current price is $217. Other AGMs will be in $350 range. Costco now sells Interstate batteries. They do not stock, GC2 AGM. Last time I checked, Costco did not have GP31 in stock. Good luck.

[thegats1]

I recently purchased Duracell batteries to replace my chassis batteries. Tiffin put Duracells in there at the factory, so I just did a like/kind replacement. My coach is a 2019 model year (built in 2018). I had zero issues with the batteries. I just didn't want any issues to pop up. I can't recall the price, but it wasn't awful. I bought them at Batteries +. I may have replaced them a bit early. I may push it a little further next time.

[Bruce Anthon]

I just replaced my LA batteries with Trojan T105. The first set went 7+ years with no problems. This change was just being proactive. I bought the Trojan watering system for the last set and just switched it to the new batteries as well. They are highly rated. I used Staub Battery. They have locations in Aurora IL. Springfield, Il. and St. Louis, Mo.

[Mark_K5LXP]

You can "hope for the best" or understand just why one might experience battery failure, then mitigate it. "Chunks" aren't falling out of your battery, longevity is directly related to proper charging and routine maintenance. That translates to ensuring they're not being overcharged and when idle, being discharged with parasitic loads.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[Persistent]

Originally Posted by skippy67

Am I lost. I thought it might be worth the extra money to spring for some AGM batteries as the roads are so rough anymore that the chunks of material that settle to the bottom of the batteries short out cells. I have very little knowledge in batteries so I started reading the reviews. Folks are spending over 2K on eight AGM batteries and having them last 1 year. They are then told tough luck! Should I just stick with the conventional 6 volt lead acid deep cell that need to be checked and hope for the best? I know there are some batteries like interstate that can honor a warranty just about anywhere we travel. What say you? T
hanks for any wisdom....

Good advice has been posted above.

My last set of GEL cell house batteries was still working fine at 10 years when I sold the trailer. My current set of AGM house batteries are 6 years old and show no signs of deterioration. Many owner's have reported getting 10 years on a set of flooded cell batteries.

On the other hand, my car engine start batteries often begin to show weakness at about 5 years. It is usually the number of charge discharge cycles that ages lead acid batteries.

Your issue is probably due to how you maintain your batteries, not road conditions.

It is true that 50 years ago batteries subject to vibration required special internal supports. Today, battery cases are typically injection molded with excellent internal support.

The stuff accumulating at the bottom of flooded cell batteries is usually lead sulfate crystals. It forms on the plates when the cell is not recharged soon after use. The crystals can be granular in nature or in flakes or sheets depending on how long the battery was left discharged.

All lead acid batteries must be stored fully charged for 14 to 18 hours before storage to remove all lead sulfate from the plates. Batteries in continuous use must be fully recharged 14 to 18 hours periodically, possibly every week. This prevents lead sulfate crystals from forming.

Of course the plates of flooded cell batteries must be covered with sulfuric acid when charging and discharging. (Add distilled water after charging up to internal mark). Plates can be deformed by uneven charging and discharging when plates are exposed to air.

Flooded cell batteries in good condition can usually be stored for about 6 months before needing a 14 to 18 hour full recharge. Recharge before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. AGM batteries typically last for 12 months.

Hopefully, changing your maintenance procedures can improve the service life of your batteries.

[NXR]

Your title says "chassis batteries", which usually are the battery(s) that start the engine.

Then you talk about 6 volt deep cycle batteries, which usually are used for the house batteries that run the RV.

Are you looking for both sets of batteries or just one?

Either way, if you decide to stay with flooded lead acid batteries that need the water checked consider a Kwik Fill kit: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2...XZO/ref=sr_1_2

Get the "bulb" hand pump as well. Stick the hose in a jug of distilled water, pump the bulb until water stops, and you're good to go. Each cell has a float that cuts the water off at the proper level.

I'm using AGM house batteries but I only have two so buying new flooded lead acid and a Kwik Fill was not such a good deal compared to having four or six house batteries.

Plus, our two house batteries are inside a compartment without a sliding tray. To clean them I need to disconnect them and lift them up and out and down, and then up and in and down to put them back. I wanted to eliminate as much physical work and bending and head-whacking as possible.

Lead acid batteries vent inside the compartment and that can lead to corrosion while AGMs are sealed unless an over-pressure occurs for some reason and then they vent the excess pressure. Or so I've read.

Ray

[jacwjames]

I only have one large 8D starting battery. Last month when I tried to start the rig I could tell the battery was low, barely turned over the engine but the battery was ~8 years old CAN'T BEAT THAT!!!! It was not a AGM but standard lead acid.

So I started a quest on finding a replacement.

Last one I bought was at Batteries plus, they showed them on the website for ~$270, about double what I paid the last time.The salesman tried to push an AGM for +$700, ain't doing that.

Called Interstate, theirs was +$300
Sam's use to carry the 8D battery but no more.

Tractor supply only had 4D.
Local coop didn't sell 8D

I then called Autozone, they had one listed at the local store but when I went to get they had to order from warehouse BUT they said if I brought the RV to them they'd help install so the next day I drove the coach there and a salesperson helped me remove the old and put the new in. $240 + tax.

[skippy67]

Originally Posted by NXR

Your title says "chassis batteries", which usually are the battery(s) that start the engine.

Then you talk about 6 volt deep cycle batteries, which usually are used for the house batteries that run the RV.

Are you looking for both sets of batteries or just one?

Either way, if you decide to stay with flooded lead acid batteries that need the water checked consider a Kwik Fill kit: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2...XZO/ref=sr_1_2

Get the "bulb" hand pump as well. Stick the hose in a jug of distilled water, pump the bulb until water stops, and you're good to go. Each cell has a float that cuts the water off at the proper level.

I'm using AGM house batteries but I only have two so buying new flooded lead acid and a Kwik Fill was not such a good deal compared to having four or six house batteries.

Plus, our two house batteries are inside a compartment without a sliding tray. To clean them I need to disconnect them and lift them up and out and down, and then up and in and down to put them back. I wanted to eliminate as much physical work and bending and head-whacking as possible.

Lead acid batteries vent inside the compartment and that can lead to corrosion while AGMs are sealed unless an over-pressure occurs for some reason and then they vent the excess pressure. Or so I've read.

Ray

. Thanks for your reply......I don’t know what I was thinking when I wrote chassis when I meant to say house batteries. Sorry for the confusion everyone.

[skippy67]

Originally Posted by NXR

Your title says "chassis batteries", which usually are the battery(s) that start the engine.

Then you talk about 6 volt deep cycle batteries, which usually are used for the house batteries that run the RV.

Are you looking for both sets of batteries or just one?

Either way, if you decide to stay with flooded lead acid batteries that need the water checked consider a Kwik Fill kit: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-MP2...XZO/ref=sr_1_2

Get the "bulb" hand pump as well. Stick the hose in a jug of distilled water, pump the bulb until water stops, and you're good to go. Each cell has a float that cuts the water off at the proper level.

I'm using AGM house batteries but I only have two so buying new flooded lead acid and a Kwik Fill was not such a good deal compared to having four or six house batteries.

Plus, our two house batteries are inside a compartment without a sliding tray. To clean them I need to disconnect them and lift them up and out and down, and then up and in and down to put them back. I wanted to eliminate as much physical work and bending and head-whacking as possible.

Lead acid batteries vent inside the compartment and that can lead to corrosion while AGMs are sealed unless an over-pressure occurs for some reason and then they vent the excess pressure. Or so I've read.

Ray

. Sorry for the confusion.....I meant to type “HOUSE” not chassis..My fingers had a bad faulty with my brain.

[Forza Bill]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I only have one large 8D starting battery. Last month when I tried to start the rig I could tell the battery was low, barely turned over the engine but the battery was ~8 years old CAN'T BEAT THAT!!!! It was not a AGM but standard lead acid.

So I started a quest on finding a replacement.

Last one I bought was at Batteries plus, they showed them on the website for ~$270, about double what I paid the last time.The salesman tried to push an AGM for +$700, ain't doing that.

Called Interstate, theirs was +$300
Sam's use to carry the 8D battery but no more.

Tractor supply only had 4D.
Local coop didn't sell 8D

I then called Autozone, they had one listed at the local store but when I went to get they had to order from warehouse BUT they said if I brought the RV to them they'd help install so the next day I drove the coach there and a salesperson helped me remove the old and put the new in. $240 + tax.

8D's are still very popular in the marine industry, if you have a local Marine dealership, worth a check.

[Soppy]

I prefer AGM batteries over flooded. With AGM batteries there is no watering or corrosion to worry about . My batteries are 15 yrs old and still going strong. I always make sure the batteries are fully charged , then disconnected when the motorhome is not in use. My motorhome is never plugged in when not in use , except the day before the trip. I do live in a cold climate which increases battery life.

[skippy67]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Good advice has been posted above.

My last set of GEL cell house batteries was still working fine at 10 years when I sold the trailer. My current set of AGM house batteries are 6 years old and show no signs of deterioration. Many owner's have reported getting 10 years on a set of flooded cell batteries.

On the other hand, my car engine start batteries often begin to show weakness at about 5 years. It is usually the number of charge discharge cycles that ages lead acid batteries.

Your issue is probably due to how you maintain your batteries, not road conditions.

It is true that 50 years ago batteries subject to vibration required special internal supports. Today, battery cases are typically injection molded with excellent internal support.

The stuff accumulating at the bottom of flooded cell batteries is usually lead sulfate crystals. It forms on the plates when the cell is not recharged soon after use. The crystals can be granular in nature or in flakes or sheets depending on how long the battery was left discharged.

All lead acid batteries must be stored fully charged for 14 to 18 hours before storage to remove all lead sulfate from the plates. Batteries in continuous use must be fully recharged 14 to 18 hours periodically, possibly every week. This prevents lead sulfate crystals from forming.

Of course the plates of flooded cell batteries must be covered with sulfuric acid when charging and discharging. (Add distilled water after charging up to internal mark). Plates can be deformed by uneven charging and discharging when plates are exposed to air.

Flooded cell batteries in good condition can usually be stored for about 6 months before needing a 14 to 18 hour full recharge. Recharge before battery terminal voltage drops below 12.4 volts. AGM batteries typically last for 12 months.

Hopefully, changing your maintenance procedures can improve the service life of your batteries.

Thank you for your time...We store our MH about five miles from our home and do not have any shore power to plug in. I always disconnect the start batteries but the house batteries have steps, and entry lights and other items to power. It is a little more difficult to disconnect the house batteries but looks like that is what I have to do. In the past, I would run the generator every two to three weeks. I have always maintained the water level and used distilled water.