BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: bevans6 on April 15, 2010, 09:41:15 AM
When I got home from my December trip I forgot to throw the disconnect switch and forgot to throw the switch that puts the dash radio on standby. After a month of that, both batteries were down around .05 volts (yeah, .05...) I woke them up with a transformer style charger, charged them for three weeks with pretty decent 3 stage computer controlled chargers, and at the end of the day they both recovered to full charge. They lasted on full charge for about 8 weeks before I installed them. They were starting the bus OK, then they were barely starting it, and wouldn't take a charge. So I dragged them out and off to the big battery distributor up here, Great Northern Battery. They did a load test and said they passed with flying colours! They also made me feel quite the fool, they said the only problem was corrosion on the posts... 2 minutes with a post wire brush and bright metal on the posts and they promise me they will be fine for a few more years (they are 4 years old).
So rather than spending $420 for a pair of new batteries I am taking the advice and putting them back in, along with very clean clamps and posts! I sure hope they were right! Oddly they said they recommend not using dielectric grease, just cleaning the terminals when they need it.
Brian
Good call! I found three new 8ds on CR. They had been sitting in a shed for 2 years. Cleaned them up and gave them a strong charge! All cells tested great and keep the Vanner connected while sitting. 6 months no problems and starts like a race car! One crank and off to the races.
I was quoted $525.00 for two from NAPA. Picked my three up for $75.00.
Grant
I just bought one 8D at Napa for $149.
A good Calcium constructed sealed 8D with 1450 CCA and 450 minutes reserve will cost around 250 each but they will last 8 to 10 years you can buy regular 8D's at Sam's or Costco for 129.00 dollars there is a big difference in 8D batteries depending on price and construction. Cheaper ones have a 1 year warranty and the better ones 5 to 7 year warranty
good luck
I went to a local battery place to get my *D's and the had two government trade ins for 50 bucks each. Ge=ov has to trade after two years so they workd like new after cleaning the dirt off. I find using a little baking soda sprinkled around keeps the corosion down as we used in aircraft. Jerry