8D Batteries suck!

[jjrbus]

Not only do they S+++, they are also heavy. I really do not want to drag them around ever again! I'll go with Gus, as soon as I learned about Grp 31 battery's I went with them!!

I hyped the advantages of WalMart battery's and tires for the traveler for a long time. Till the last time I had a warranty issue. I had a bad cell, with a hydrometer I could prove I had a bad cell. They did not care, after they charge a battery if it passes a load test they will not replace it! They told me it was the new corporate policy.

My new corporate policy is to buy my battery's from NAPA.   JIm (AKA Wimpy old Coot)

[James77MCI8]

Maintenance free *D's in mt 8 for last five years with no problems.

[Bill B /bus]

Went to the battery distributor with friend because he needed new house batteries. The owner asked if we were interested in AGM's. Sure, interested but the price is never right. Owner said two years old installed but never placed in service. Price? I asked. Reply a $100 each. So my friend bought his four, me six, my good bud in Ct got three.
The best part is Lifeline AGM 8D.  And Bill doesn't have to water batteries ever again, yeah! You do have to reset your charging parameters to a higher voltage than the wet cells.

After a few years on submarines I learned about battery maintenance. More than I ever wanted to know.

[ArtGill]

Reminder, 8D and group 31, etc are just physical size.  Check the other specifications and you will find differences.

Art

[TomC]

Starting batteries on all trucks that I know are size 31's.  All U.S. trucks are still using 12vdc. Depending on the size of the engine, typically medium sized trucks use 2 batteries, day cabs (trucks without sleepers) use 3 batteries, and sleepers use 4 batteries.  I replaced my 2 8D starting batteries with 2-size 31 Interstate batteries that are 950cca.  They crank my engine just fine.

For deep cycle batteries, I agree that 8D's are heavy (my Lifelines are 155lbs).  Another way to go is with 6vdc batteries.  The L16 is a huge 6vdc battery, but still lighter at 115lbs then the 8D.  The L16 puts out 400amp/hours which is quite a bit higher then the 255amp/hours that the 8D's put out.  Good Luck, TomC

[zubzub]

fwiw I can start my 6-71with one size  31 which

I think is a 850 cca

[luvrbus]

Not trying to show any disrespect TomC but the 400 A/H is at 6 volt on the L16 would be 200 at 12 volt

good luck

[gus]

jjr,

Never had anything but good experience with WM returns.

If they ever treat me the way they did you I'll change also.

I found that my 4104 would easily start on one G31 but always used two in case of cold weather.

Only used two G31 d/c for house batts with no problems but my house electrics load is light. I could also connect the house up for starting boost, had to use them a couple of times during alternator failures.

The only reason for using two 8Ds in buses I can see was to support the huge AC fan motor. The one in my 4104 was rated at 40 amps!!

[Oonrahnjay]

fwiw I can start my 6-71with one size  31 which I think is a 850 cca

Not that it matters to many (any?) of you, but my 680" 6 cylinder 4-stroke has a 24V system and I've just gone from 4 Type 31's (pairs in parallel and then the pairs in series) to two Type 31's (in series, of course).  A couple of weeks ago, I started in 30 degree temps with the engine cold 2-3 times.  Every time but one it started after 2-3 revolutions; the only time that it took a couple of button pushes was when I'd changed the fuel filters and maybe didn't have great prime (also it hadn't been started for a few weeks before that).  These are new NAPA Type 31's.

One thing I'd mention.  Batteries can be a crap shoot.  If you treat them badly, you'll find that it's about a sure bet that they'll go bad on you pretty quickly.  But if you have a few batteries and you do everything you can to be "by the book", it's not unheard of to have an odd one go south on you.  Probably not a sign you did anything wrong - just the way it sometimes happens.

[luvrbus]

Here is some info for you guys that will save replacing the heavy a** Delco starters


39mt  10.40 hp  amp draw 1650
42mt  10,40 hp  amp draw 1650
50mt  11.35 hp  amp draw 2000

keep the amps up with good batteries or you will be replacing the Delco they do not like low amps and voltage,900 amps will start a 2 stroke fwiw

[white-eagle]

Every 8d or 31 i've ever seen had thin starting battery plates and was acid starved.  and i worked at a battery factory for 10 years.  auto, truck and industrial batteries.  i'll stick with GC 6v batteries with the thicker plates to handle the load, and deeper discharge longer.  no 8d's.  too heavy and not capable of deep cycle as well as the GC's.  same with 31's.  great for my start batteries, but not so great for house.  I'm happy with the GC's.  ymmv. hth.

[TomC]

The L16 6V battery is 400amp/hrs.  Add a second to make 12vdc, and you still have 400amp/hours.  Wire 4 L16's in series and you have 24vdc still at 400amp/hrs.  Wire the 4 L16's so two sets each in series to make 12vdc and wire those two pairs in parallel, and you have 800amp/hrs @ 12vdc.  Still with the individual batteries weighing about 115lbs apiece.  Good Luck, TomC

[challenger440]

Wow Luvrbus, over 10 hp for the starter!  Thats almost as many hp as my old duke 4 cyl that's in my Fiero.  In its current state it's making about 50.  JM

[gus]

The G31s I use for house batteries are deep cycle.