New, to me, 4D Batteries

[Gary '79 5C]

Scored two (2) 4D batteries, actually (2) CAT 9X9730 batts. They are nearly four years old, and are maintaining 12.6V. They were take outs and I added nearly 1/2 gal of distilled water in each.
We will see if the nominal standing voltage will increase with water at proper level, but we are starting without problems now !!

I had a collapsed cell in one of my former 8D's. Can't kill the other one at 8+ years old.

The 4D's do save about 20 lbs also, so they are still a bear to move around. I also needed to shim the sides of the tray with wood to minimize these walking in the trays with vibration.

[buswarrior]

12.6 volts at rest suggests a good battery. You are there already!

Good find!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[TomC]

You should get another 2-4 years out of them.  You've lost some amp/hours (220 down to about 190) with the 4D's, but the price was right.

I have 8D batteries and will not use them again in my truck.  I've committed to using AGM batteries since the batteries will be mounted in my basement which is actually part of the interior.  I'm using the 6V L16 Lifeline's.  They are 400amp/hours apiece.  So using 4 connected in 12v, I'll have 800 amp/hours at 12v.  They weigh about 110lbs each-a far distance from the 160lbs of the 8D's.  I realize that AGM batteries are expensive, but once you've had them, you'll never go back to anything else.  They require NO maintenance, just cleaning the terminals every couple of years (since they don't outgas), set your inverter/charger to AGM or set the max voltage to around 14.3 volts, with bulk at 13.2 and your set.  Mine are over 6 years old, and are getting a bit tired, but still take a full charge.  Good Luck, TomC

[Mike in GA]

Tom:
I have been interested in the Lifeline L-16s for some time now, and interested in whether they had gotten much use among us converters. I am looking to replace my four large Rolls-Surette wet cells, which seem to have the same footprint - I may be able to re-use the cables.
When the time comes to replace yours, where will you buy, and about how much do you think they will be?
Thanks!
Mike in GA

[TomC]

I haven't priced out the L16's yet, but I live within a few miles of their headquarters in Irwindale, Ca-so I can buy direct from them.  I'll let you know when I do-maybe get a better price buying more at once.  Good Luck, TomC

[Mike in GA]

Great. Thanks!
I guess there is the issue of cores.
Mike in GA

[gus]

Gary,

I replaced my two 8Ds with 4Ds (8V71) and they work fine. 8Ds are probably overkill for conversions unless you live in the frozen northland!! However, 8D and 4D batts have terrible warranties.

However, I'm not as optimistic as other posters. When I got my bus the 8Ds were very dry, about like yours, and they lasted about a year. We filled them with distilled water and carefully charged them. One shorted out on a trip and ruined the other one before I figured out what was wrong. That is when I changed to the cheaper 4Ds.

I will probably go from here to Group 31s or 29s or 27s because they have better warranties and are easier to handle. I'm too old to grunt those monster batteries around! I used two Gp 31s for starters in my 4104 for four years with no problems but I live in a moderate climate. Also it is much easier to get warranty service when you buy these smaller batts from WM and Sams because there are so many stores around, especially when you are traveling.

[belfert]

My experience with group 31 batteries is they don't really have any better warranty than a 8D or 4D.  A group 31 is usually considered a commercial battery.  All of them I have seen have one or two years warranaties, but some certainly may have longer warranties.  They don't have the long warranties like automotive batteries.

[Lin]

Since my alternator is only 45 amps at 24v, I like having a lot of battery reserve.  Hence, my tendency to stick to 8D.  I do not consider 4D much of a loss though.  I like the idea of using 4 smaller batteries, but I do not think the you could fit two group 31's in each of the battery slide-outs.

[Gary '79 5C]

Gary,

I replaced my two 8Ds with 4Ds (8V71) and they work fine. 8Ds are probably overkill for conversions unless you live in the frozen northland!! However, 8D and 4D batts have terrible warranties.

Had to laugh of your comment of the 4D terrible warranty. I paid zippo, these were in use with a 500KW GenSet. I am at the Jersey Shore (South, not the intoxicated North) and house the bus in a heated hanger. No terrible cold cold starts for me. I head further south.

These did not come with a warranty, but I am looking at the install date of the two (2) 8D's in the 1500 KW GenSet.

Tom, I am useing these as starting batt's, Shhhh, my house batt's are sealed gel cells, about 5-6 years old.

[TomC]

Gary-I replaced my 2-8D starting batteries with 2-31 Interstate 950cca batteries.  They roll over the 8V-71 just fine.  If it is cold or have to roll over longer, I can just activate the jumper solenoid to have the 2-8D house batteries help.  I have started the bus on the deep cycle batteries when the starting batteries were down.  Good Luck, TomC

[Gary '79 5C]

I am now looking at whether I should replace my GenSet starting battery ?? I was thinking I could just jumper the leads to one of the 4D starting batts. My current GenSet battery is on the aft side of the battery compartment, GenSet being on L/S of coach in the former A/C location.

Am I looking for problems ? I probably put more maint hours (monthly run) than actually use. I also have (4) 8D AGM house batt's.

Maybe I should pony up the $100 to replace the battery, or jumper & save 30 or so lbs.

[luvrbus]

Don't know the rating on a Cat 4D battery but with Lifeline you only give 45 amp hrs by going with 4D's from their 8D's and the 4D's are less costly and easier to handle fwiw

[Gary '79 5C]

Here is the CAT link to their batteries, I have 9X9730's   I forget the engine size it cranked, but they are working fine in da bus.
The 9X9730's appear to have 1,300 CCA vs the 8D's @ 1,500 CCA   Only 13 lbs difference.

http://parts.cat.com/cda/files/3049510/7/PEHJ0073-02.pdf

Hope the link works, No great on this.

Gary

[gus]

Gary,

I do what TomC does, works fine. You can use a relay to connect the two batt sets or just simple green knob battery switches.

Some gensets have built in alternators for battery charging. If you don't have them connected to a separate battery they self-destruct. If you have them connected to the bus start batts when the bus engine is running the bus voltage reg goes nuts. Been there!