Battery Question?

[steve5B]

    Hi everyone,

   Went out this am, to start the bus..nothing. Looks like I need to replace them.  There around 4yrs old.  Question is, do

   you have to use the big ones D8's or could I switch to smaller ones?  The over the road AC was removed if that has anything to

do with the big ones!


Steve 5B.....Thanks!!!!!!!!

[JackConrad]

You will get many different opinions about this.  I will tell you what we did on our MC-8.  We also had removed our OEM AC.  We went with 2 group 31 batteries and re-located them to the area where the OEM AC compressor was in the engine compartment. This puts them right next to the starter (much shorter cable run).  We have never had any problem starting the bus down to about 30 degrees (we live in Florida and, so far, have limited our travels to the Southeast US.  If you spend much time in colder weather, YMMV.  Jack

[steve5B]

     Hello Jack,


   That sounds like a good idea, I don't know that much about electricty(for starting,short cable)  let alone buses. But I will give

    it a serious thought.   Wouldn't hurt for I live here in Indiana.  We have cold temps here but not long periods of time as others

   here on this board.   Thanks for the em put!!!!!!!


  Steve 5B...........

[JackConrad]

Hello Jack,
   That sounds like a good idea, I don't know that much about electricty(for starting,short cable)  let alone buses. But I will give it a serious thought.   Wouldn't hurt for I live here in Indiana.  We have cold temps here but not long periods of time as others here on this board.   Thanks for the em put!!!!!!!
Steve 5B...........

Steve,
     For the occasional cold morning start, leave a block heater on overnight. That ol' DD will think it is in sunny Florida.  Jack

[jjrbus]

 I like others have put 2 group 31's in the engine comaprtment, utilizing the old AC rack for a battery holder.  I also have a block heater which I have used 1 time in 8 years!!

For me the group 31's was the best way to go!

Remember when looking at batterys that the Group 31 is a size or dimensions of the battery, not an amperage rating. You want to look for high cranking amps.

I dont know about the 5B but on the 5C the OEM battery compartment is a perfect fit for 2 30 gallon LP tanks.

[vaunter]

i purchased 2 new 8d`d for my bus cause i didnt know better at the time
the 8d`s are to run all the electronics and lights of a charter bus and we busnuts dont hardly use any of that stuff
2 good heavy duty regular size bats is all you need 98,9% of the time and that what im gunna use when thease 8d`s go bad

[steve5B]

    Would anyone have any pics they could post of the battery relocation to the rear compartment, and what type of rack did you

    build?

     Thanks again,

    Steve 5B.......

[Gary '79 5C]

Steve 5B,
The curb side engine comp. on my 5C was taken by the PO installation of the Webasto unit there. No additional space for me as I need the swing space to remove my non original air cleaner housing for replacement.
This location would be plenty of space for a unistrut or angle iron rack to support the batts. You might wish to add an electric warming pad under the batt's for those really cold nights, in addition to a block heater. That was my thoughts.
I have replaced one start battery, 3 1/2 years back, but never looked to relocate as I do not what better use I could make of the battery compartment. Tool box sideways would fit well...

Good Luck,
Gary

[Lin]

Presently, I have 2 8 D's in good condition in the original battery compartments.  If they were to fail, I would look into getting two small batteries if they would fit on one rack.  That would leave me the other rack for a different use.  I can see that relocating them to the engine room would save cable resistance, but is it really an issue if the cables were sized right to begin with by MCI?  I currently use that side of the engine for my 120volt compressor and some sundry stuff.

[jjrbus]

Rather basic. On my 5c this is the old AC compressor holder. Small box to fit group 31 batteries, made from 1x2 and 3/4 plywood. used this to level and weld in some small angle (probobly old bed frame) on one end and a piece of square tubing on other end.
Note angle iorn goes between AC frame and tubing goes on frame to level. A piece of threaded rod, wing nut and pice of Oak on top to hold batterys down. fasten wood box to metal.
Battery selector switch and ground are also visible.   HTH jim

Left click on pictures to enlarge

[Jerry Liebler]

I asked almost the same question a couple of months ago.  My pair of 8D's had gone T.U. after about 5 years.  After reading the many replies I chose to use 3 group 24s as they fit one of the trays of the 8Ds.
The ones I got are each rated at 725 CCA and my 8Ds were 1100CCA (some are 1400 CCA) so I'm almost even on CCA but with about 1/2 the lead and hence reserve capacity.  Since My engine starts very quick and I can use the Webasto for preheat  I'm sure it'll work.  So far I've only started a couple of times, at temperatures of 40f & above, and it works just as expected.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 

[Dallas]

Steve,

Here is a battery box I buit into a MC9, in place of the original A/C compressor.

[Dallas]

Here's another view.
I built the two layers large enough to hold 2 - 8D's or 6 - Group 31's.

Too bad the owner never paid for them.

Dallas

[Lin]

I had all my batteries in the engine compartment on the old bus.  Someone had warned me that the heat and vibration were not good for them.  Is that a non issue?

[Dallas]

They spend their whole lifetime in the engine compartment of a car, and, Commercial APU's create more heat than most engine compartments ever will, the batteries for them live happily for years with no problem. See if you can ever get access to a cell phone tower.. the heat coming from those battery boxes is really hot.

Just my Pair O' Pennies

DF

I had all my batteries in the engine compartment on the old bus.  Someone had warned me that the heat and vibration were not good for them.  Is that a non issue?