Interstate group 31 blems

ilyafish · January 10, 2009, 02:01:51 AM

I am reposting this as i had worded this pretty vaguely and was a bit confusing.

I think my 8D starting batteries are pretty shot, im going to get them tested tomorrow, but if that is the case, i remember reading how some of you guys picked up group 31 blems at interstate and they seem to do the job.

My question is the fact that they are blems, should i be worried about that? Also, do group 31s have the CCA's that I would need to use as a starting battery? How many CCA's per battery should i be looking for?

white-eagle · January 10, 2009, 04:49:10 AM

i've got 3 group 31's to start my 8v92. they are the recommended size in my bus.

in your bus, if you had 8d's, i'd stick with them. don't worry about blems or seconds. those are always cosmetic defects where someone had to fix a scratch, remove then re-attach part of cover, etc. operationally, they are fine.

Interstate would not be my first choice. if you are around Oh or surounding states, look for Crown's. nationwide warranty through other independent manufacturer's, but made in OH. Real lead inside.

ilyafish · January 10, 2009, 09:16:46 AM

if i am keeping my OTR a/c, how many group 31s would i need then?

also, im a bit confused on how to get 24v off of 3 12v batteries

redbus · January 10, 2009, 09:26:55 AM

Tom has a Eagle so it is 12V.

ilyafish · January 10, 2009, 09:34:11 AM

makes sense! haha, ok so back to the OTR a/c then....is it doable with 31s?

belfert · January 10, 2009, 10:44:34 AM

My bus came from the factory with four group 31s and it had factory air so no reason group 31s shouldn't work.

I'm not sure that four group 31s are any less money than two 8Ds, but certainly a lot less hassle to lift and install. Most busnuts go to two group 31s (Or possibly three with 12 volt) when they convert over from 8Ds.

gyrocrasher · January 10, 2009, 11:02:25 AM

Quote from: manasst on January 10, 2009, 04:49:10 AM
in your bus, if you had 8d's, i'd stick with them. don't worry about blems or seconds. those are always cosmetic defects where someone had to fix a scratch, remove then re-attach part of cover, etc. operationally, they are fine.

Didn't I read here a while back that a lot of blems are just old? I think the poster said once they are 1 yr old, they can't be sold as new?
I can seldom find any cosmetic problem with the 31 blems I buy for my truck.(Interstate store, all markings peeled off)
Mitch

NewbeeMC9 · January 10, 2009, 11:08:29 AM

I'd vote sticking with 8D's if up north and keeping OTR/AC

I'm in south wo otr ac and use GP31 but they only have to start and maybe some lights, can get a jump from house batteries if i get in a pinch

my 2cents,

luvrbus · January 10, 2009, 11:15:43 AM

Iminacess, go with 4 group 31 for a 24v system,if you live in cold country stay with your 8D's it is going to be about the same price and the 8Ds will have more reserve than the group 31 and that is good to have on 0 degree night CCA last for a few seconds forgot the time but it is not long and if it doesn't fire in that time frame most of the time you are dead in water,it is your bus use what works for you
good luck

ilyafish · January 10, 2009, 01:09:49 PM

It typically does not get colder than 30 degrees here, we may have a bad week here and there but its not horribly bad. And usually in this weather I dont start my bus. I only use my bus spring-late fall and was going to keep the batteries warm in the cold weather. So should I still be worried about the cold in this case? I also have a block heater.

I got my 8D's tested today, one is good, one is bad. the one that is bad is under warranty still through 9/09 with Orielly however the nearest one is 6 hours away as i bought it while on tour, so that is just not worth it.

Now again, the only reason i am being so inclined on group 31's is so that I can buy group 31 blems which i read a post saying are $25 a pop, so instead of replacing my 8D for $225, if i find 4 group 31 blems i can replace my starting bank for $100, and keep the good battery, and then when i go out in march take the bad one and exchange that, so this way i can have ultimately a starting bank of 4 group 31's and still have both 8D's in case i need an extra kick.

belfert · January 10, 2009, 02:30:46 PM

Your bus is going to have a serious problem if four good group 31s won't start it. Dragging around two 8Ds just in case is a lot of space and weight. How are you going to keep the 8Ds charged if they aren't hooked up all the time?

gus · January 10, 2009, 02:37:37 PM

Mitch,

All the batteries I have ever seen have the date code stamped into the battery case. It is usually pretty small so you have to look for it.

gyrocrasher · January 10, 2009, 03:12:18 PM

Gus.
It's a good day. I learned something.
I looked at a couple of old 31s I had laying around,(Exides) and sure enough! Right there on the side of the "top" was the easily readable code. Down to the day of manufacture.
Now I can match, or at least pick and choose my next set of blems.
Thanks for the tip. Mitch

Interstate group 31 blems

luvrbus