jhofeditz Report post Posted July 25, 2018 I need to replace my 4 house batteries. What are the best type of batteries for the money? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted July 25, 2018 AGM not the cheapest but the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted July 25, 2018 jhofeditz, Welcome to the forum ! Tend to agree with DD69, but how do you use the coach? AGM,s are very good for the price, but the Wet cells properly matched to your needs, do a good job. How do you plan to use the covered wagon, boon docking or campgrounds. Rich. Also, well your charger / inverter adjust to AGM charge level and charging current ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rsbilledwards Report post Posted July 25, 2018 In so far as Wet or flooded Crown 260s are my choice and Trojan 105s second choice. Some are trending to AGM s but for me price and cold charging an issue. Batteries, you definitely get what you pay for... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted July 25, 2018 Really depends on how you define 'best'. If 'best' means low-maintenance, the AGM are the way to go. I've not found them to have the same storage capacity as flooded batteries for the same physical size. If 'best' means the most storage capacity in the allotted space, then something like the Trojan T-145 would be my choice. They are only slightly taller than the T-105 but have considerably more storage capacity. We've got Trojan L16g in our coach. The height was not a problem and it allowed us to cram 780 Ah into the available footprint. I installed the Trojan watering system so I can keep the water filled without having to open the battery compartment. When shopping for your batteries, see if there is an industrial battery dealer in your area. I went through https://www.sbsbattery.com/ since they had a location in town. They gave me a good price and I was able to pick up locally and avoid shipping. If they don't have a location near you, do a quick search online for similar dealers in your area. Sometimes searching for forklift or golf cart battery dealers will help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fagnaml Report post Posted July 25, 2018 Not quite two years ago I had to replace my two, five year old Interstate 6-volt batteries on short notice (i.e. the night before leaving on an LSU football weekend outing). One of the cases had cracked for unknown reasons and was leaking. The Interstate batteries were came with the motorhome when I purchased it. My local Batteries + Lights Store had same size Duracell brand batteries that were relatively cheap at $99 each (not including taxes). After two years, I've had no problems with the Duracell batteries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted July 25, 2018 I have had one Interstate 8D with tabs to put stainless steel bolts through to connect the cables. I believe these are normally used on boats, but in three years I have not had corrosion, and I have a residental refrigerator. If I remember correctly it weighed 380 or so pounds and more capacity than four 6 volt deep cycle batteries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted July 25, 2018 If this is the Interstate 8D: https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/8d-xhd Most 8D's it weights around between 120 and 160 pounds. I agree with Ross-- it sure feels like 380 pounds! Normal amp-hrs is around 230 @12 VDC That is comparable to a pair of 6 VDC golf cart batteries wired in series-- both in terms of weight and amp-hrs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rsbilledwards Report post Posted July 25, 2018 For sake of reference the Crown 260s weigh in at 65 pounds a piece and I am sure the Trojan 105s are close. The Crowns are 260 AMP HOUR batteries and should if the charging system is working properly last 10 years or so...that is what I am expecting. They are currently heading into year 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted July 25, 2018 Four Trojan T-105 will provide 450 Ah capacity. In the same footprint one could also use four Trojan T-145 and have 520 Ah capacity. We considered using the 8D batteries but the capacity to size/weight just didn't make sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted July 26, 2018 Brett. Thanks for the exact specs for the 8D. The one shown has the post connectors. I really like the tab that bolts to the cables. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted July 26, 2018 Then there is the ion lithium, same ah at 1/3 the weight + 10 years! Unfortunately $$$$ and no place for disposal that I know off. Suppose to be EPA mandatory in 2020! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
acousticart Report post Posted November 11, 2018 8D AGM's are pricey, but the no maintenance aspect of it has me sold... at least until LiFeP04 or some more power dense battery chemistry becomes more affordable. Our Foretravel U270 coach came with two MK Gel 8D's for the house, and two Optima red tops for the chassis. I still have the 8D Gels in a storage container with solar and they are still going strong at 10 years old. I replaced the two Gels with four O'Reilly AGM8D's and the two Optima chassis batteries with a single O'Reilly AGM8D. Adding two more 8D sized batteries did require some fabrication and new cables, but doubling the amp hour capacity was worth the effort. We have a marine fridge that runs off of 12VDC or 120VAC. With the solar, the batteries are usually topped off by late morning. The house batteries are seldom cycled below 75%. The single 8D AGM chassis battery spins the 8.3 ISC like a top. Doing the battery mods was an "opportunity" to redo all the battery cabling using bus bars and shunts for battery monitors. The O'Reilly 8D's can be had for a relative bargain price, and are made by Deka/East Pen and labeled under numerous brands. I doubt that they are in the same class as their Lifeline equivalents, but they are very good for the price. I have two golf carts, one with Trojan T105's and the other with Big Box store bargains. I plan on converting the carts to Lithium battery chemistry and will NEVER again have another set of flooded LA batteries (knock on wood!). I would not even entertain flooded batteries in our coach... for many reasons The last picture is the chassis battery cabling redone with Blue Sea bus bars, a Victron BM shunt and 4-0 marine cabling (same cable as I used for the house batteries). Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted November 11, 2018 On 7/25/2018 at 11:19 PM, manholt said: Then there is the ion lithium, same ah at 1/3 the weight + 10 years! Unfortunately $$$$ and no place for disposal that I know off. Suppose to be EPA mandatory in 2020! I agree, the best was asked for, and Lithium is the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted November 11, 2018 Thing to remember is - There are a number of chargers already install in RV's that are not setup or compatible to charge Lithium Batteries. Replacing the Charger / Inverters can be pricey ! So look before you leap. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
