Need new start batteries

chessie4905 · May 17, 2016, 04:02:57 PM

On the 4104, we used the two 8d's as our house batteries including our Suburban propane furnace. We would run the generator or go down the road the next day to recharge. If they didn't have enough juice to start the engine, they would still start the Kohler 12kw diesel generator,almost every time. Once or twice over the years,we would resort to jumping with the toad. They would usually last about three or four years.

Scott & Heather · May 17, 2016, 04:49:40 PM

Here's some perspective from my experience:

I've been starting a mech 6v92 on two 800 cca car batteries for over a year. It doesn't turn over fast but it starts. My DDECC II 8v92 starts like a champ (just started it in 35 degree F temps this week no block heater) on two group 31's. Having reserve like cliff mentioned is a good thing, I'm just throwing out my data for you to analyze as you see fit.

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kyle4501 · May 17, 2016, 05:14:20 PM

Before you change batteries, you may need to consider how they are used in the coach.

I have a "merge" switch on the dash so I can connect the start batteries to the house batteries.
I have a 75 amp converter/ multi stage charger that I can use when plugged in & keep all batteries charged.

This charging system works best if the batteries are all the same.

When I got my coach, it had 4 T-105 for house & 2 4D for starts. They were water hogs! I replaced them with 8D's (2 house & 2 start) -- Not using much water at all now. If you use enough group31s, you will have the same reserve, but you will have more connections.

My 8Ds have the posts on top at one end only. I used the Pro Start T100EX Brass Battery Post Connector and have had excellent results. (The starts already had them when I got the coach & zero corrosion or oxidization on the terminals. Couldn't be happier)

Yes, 8Ds are heavier & cost more - but IMO, for the money, you can't get a better constructed battery.

Good luck keeping them this time - oh how I despise a thief.

DoubleEagle · May 17, 2016, 05:28:30 PM

Has any one seen a 8D in a sealed battery version? That might be a better solution to more power and less maintenance.

Scott & Heather · May 17, 2016, 05:31:29 PM

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LuckyChow · May 17, 2016, 06:09:21 PM

Scott,

This 8D Trojan AGM is the battery we use in most of our MCI fleet. Not cheap, but a great battery. I have a rehab program that's about to start in a couple of months. We'll do about 40 coaches this first year. Anything we have with Group 31's is getting converted to the 8D.

Also, believe it or not, I have some 2011 D4500's with the original Hawker Odessey Group 31 batteries still in them. I really like AGM's.

luvrbus · May 17, 2016, 06:30:12 PM

? who makes the Hawker batteries,my Humvee has 2 Hawker 6TAGM that need replacing talk about a weird size 11in x 11in x 10in high and the only thing that will fit in the battery compartment

LuckyChow · May 17, 2016, 06:43:52 PM

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Hawker makes their own. It's a top tier battery, pretty much the Rolls Royce of batteries. Last time I saw prices, they made Trojans look like they came from Walmart. I think they also make a lot of aircraft batteries too.

luvrbus · May 17, 2016, 06:47:19 PM

Quote from: LuckyChow on May 17, 2016, 06:43:52 PM
I'm not 100% sure, but I think Hawker makes their own. It's a top tier battery, pretty much the Rolls Royce of batteries. Last time I saw prices, they made Trojans look like they came from Walmart.

LOL yea they want over $500 ea for the Hawker 6TAGM

eagle19952 · May 17, 2016, 06:49:30 PM

the DEKA batteries in my coach are all AGM, 2 D's and one group 31.

Cary and Don · May 17, 2016, 06:53:04 PM

We have been buying our batteries from a guy who recycles them. Many of them are less than six months old. The 8Ds come out of long haul trucks. If they change one battery, they change them all. The good ones usually costs $100. The ones in the bus now are about three years old and still spin good. Our golf cart batteries came out of fork lifts. Again they change all of them at once. They are $40 for the really good ones. The ones we are running now are about four years old. Look on Craigs List.

Don and Cary

DoubleEagle · May 17, 2016, 06:59:03 PM

The Trojan's cost $360 with a $126 shipping fee (Apex Battery). They state that "The Trojan 8D-AGM Battery has a warranty of 12 months. Our products generally last about 3 times the warranty period if used and maintained properly." It looks like my cheap 8D's with the caps lasts just as long. What brand of conventional 8D's have you guys been using that last 5-8 years? Depending on the price, those might be the most efficient spark for the buck.

chessie4905 · May 17, 2016, 07:18:18 PM

When I bought the 4905,it had Cat sealed 8d's.When they needed replaced I checked price....about 400 plus each. They weren't agms. I bought the Interstates which will need water as required for about half or less.

Oonrahnjay · May 18, 2016, 05:33:53 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 17, 2016, 07:18:18 PMWhen I bought the 4905,it had Cat sealed 8d's.When they needed replaced I checked price....about 400 plus each. They weren't agms. I bought the Interstates which will need water as required for about half or less.

That's what they don't tell you -- most of the "modern"sealed batteries" are NOT AGMs. They're plain old lead-acid batteries but they put plain flat tops on them. Every lead acid battery needs water but they figure that most people aren't going to maintain them anyway so they just "seal them" (yeah, right, if you look you'll find the vent in some semi-hidden place) in hopes that people will think that a battery that goes 3 years is better than a battery with open vents that isn't serviced and only goes 2 years. Yeah, but it's not as good as a battery that is taken care of and goes 6 years.
If you want an AGM battery, be sure you're getting one -- don't fall for the Sealed Battery scam.

LuckyChow · May 18, 2016, 05:52:10 AM

The ones with the sealed tops (but not AGM or gel) are what they normally market as "maintenance fee". As mentioned, they are not much different than the regular battery that has watering holes. One manufacturer claims they put a catalyst in the vapor path to reclaim some electrolyte. I've never seen one dismantled so I don't know if it's true or not. I haven't kept up with this for the last 10 years or so, but a few years back there were only 3 or 4 battery manufacturers nationwide. All the various battery names were just rebadged marketing schemes.

The original "Maintenance Free" battery was a marketing ploy from Sears for their Die Hard. It was later discovered that it was the same battery, but without watering holes. They raised the price a lot and sold the same battery, greatly increasing their margin. They were later sued over this for deceptive advertising. I believe there was a class action suit that cost Sears mucho bucks.