New battery time "AGAIN".........

[5B Steve]

    My batteries are dead, question that I have, do you need the 8-D's or is there a different kind to use just

   to start the bus?  If not, looks like I'll go and get a new set this afternoon.


Steve 5B........

[luvrbus]

Depends on where you live people here in warm weather get by on 2 group 31 on 24v I like 3 group 31 on a 12v and 4 on a 24v system just my way of saving the old Delco MT 42 starter

good luck

[gus]

Steve,

I just had to replace my 8D starts the second day of this trip. One failed and damaged the other before I figured it out!

I replaced them with two 4Ds (always like to have a spare) and can't tell the difference. I think 8Ds are overkill for a conversion. I can actually pick up a 4D, sure can't pick up a 8D!! All this being said, I live in a mild climate winterwise and have a DD 8V71.

I have two Gp 29 deep cycles for the house because I couldn't find any more
Gp 31 but they seem to be about the same physical size and weight. Plenty adequate for our modest electrical needs.

[bevans6]

I like the 8D's, mine came from Tractor Supply Co.  Nothing like a manly man's battery, I figure the weight makes them harder to steal...     I can still put them in the trays by myself so I will be good for a few more years...   If I had moved the starts to the engine bay like many do, I might not mind going to a smaller battery but with them 20 feet forward in the MCI I like the extra oomph.

Brian

[Uglydog56]

I started my bus today (first time in 2 months) on a single group 31.  It showed 12.45v so it wasn't full charged either.  I have 2 just in case, or had, before someone decided they needed one of them more than me  I will get another here pretty soon before it gets too cold.  I don't know that 8D's are really necessary.

[Bill B /bus]

If your battery(ies) are in the engine room next to the engine you can get away with Group 31's. If still upfront then stay with the 8D's.
Experience with smaller batteries is a short rub to the starter equals satisfactory performance. Use a block heater if in cold temps.

Bill

[TomC]

I have two size 31 Interstates on my bus with 950cca each.  Starts the 8V-71 just fine.  If you have 12v, you can use 2, 3, or 4 batteries.  If you have 24vdc, you can use 2 or if you're in cold winter states, I'd suggest 4 size 31's.  Same batteries that most all trucks and many buses are using today.  The 8D's are just to heavy to contend with.  Good Luck, TomC

[Ed Hackenbruch]

I went with 2 group 31's about 4-5 years ago. Still mounted in the battery bay up front, i just barely touch the button and they fire up my 8v71. Will never go back to the 8D's.

[bobofthenorth]

I don't get it.  I put 2 new 8-Ds in the frenchy-bus this summer.  Bought em at NAPA in Swift Current late in the day and was glad to get them before the weekend.  I lifted them onto the truck, lifted the old 8Ds out of the bus and put the new ones in.  They're not that heavy.  They're relatively cheap and they start the bus first time every time.  With the long cable runs I have I wouldn't even think about using less battery weight so that means 4 x 31s if I go that way.  If I go to 4 x Group 31s then I need a bunch more cables which means more connections to clean and potentially give problems. 

[luvrbus]

I like the 8D also Bob 72 years and I can pick one up lol

[Lin]

The trays take 8D's so I usually think that there is no reason to go with less.  When the next time comes to change them though, I might look at something else.  For one thing, I do not think that 4D's would be that much of a meaningful downgrade.  I fear that using two group 31's would be and might leave us wanting in some rare situation.  However, I could see maybe trying a set with the thought of adding two more if need be.  I would not expect that really to be any savings though.

Although, I would not want to spend the money to buy new AGM's, I would certainly consider getting some good used ones.  We have some for the house, and you can not beat the maintenance.

[HB of CJ]

Hello 5B Steve; do you happen to know why your trusty (?) 8D batteries died?  Was it just old age or is there possibly something in the coach that sucks the live out of the batteries...like a phantom load or something?

My old Crown had a huge disconnect switch next to the batts.  Turned off EVERYTHING.  And...I'm an old coot of 62 and I USED to be able to lift 8D batteries...not anymore for sure.  If you batts are a long way from....

....the starter, have you considered when you get new batteries looking at heavier starter cables from the batteries to the starter?  Sometimes the factory gets cheap in their factory specificatons and stuff.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[gus]

4Ds are the same length as 8Ds, just not as wide or high and have terminals close together so there is no need to change cables. They have 1100 CCA compared to 1300 for the 8D, not a lot of difference.

I'm older than any of you young squirts and simply cannot lift an 8D. Heavy is a relative term!! I can only lift one end. Anyway, they are overkill in a mild climate and warranties are usually nowhere near as good as with smaller batts.

I have two 31 starts and two 31 house on the 4104 and never had any starting problems. Again, I live in a normally mild climate.

[pabusnut]

I use 2 group 31's in the original battery tray in my GM 4905.  With this setup, I have never had trouble starting due to the batteries.  They seem to do good in both hot and cold weather, when the engine is either hot or cold.  I try to keep the connections clean, and do maintain them at least 2x/year.  They seem to last about 6+ years, and cost 1/2 of the 8D's.  I don't use my coach in winter, so if I did, I might think about adding another set, or adding a switch and cable to tie them to my house system for starting only.

My 0.04$ worth! (inflation!!!)
PAbusnut
Steve Toomey

[gus]

PA,

I prefer the 31s also but can't find them at Sam's or WM anymore so have downgraded to 29s which are almost the same rating and the exact same physical size.

When the 4Ds wear out I'm going to change to 29s but didn't have time to do all the cable changing this time because we were traveling under a deadline.

I'm retired, I hate deadlines!!