|
|
03-25-2017, 04:02 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
AA Co
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
|
Battery Advice Please
I need to purchase 2 new Lifeline Batteries, GPL-24T, or replace with something less or another brand. My husband wants to go the cheapest route....I want to go the best route. I'm the RVer....he rides along when he can.
Should I get the same brand/strength....is 'strength' the right word? Or, can I settle on something less? I prefer the AGM....at least I gather the AGM is the best way to go....the less maintenance the better.
Any/all advice would be greatly appreciated.
I did search the forums but I don't understand battery lingo....so...simple words work best for me and perhaps anyone else needing help like me.
What's the least power battery for the Intersate?
I usually stay at rv parks. I plug in at home. But! It would be nice to have the choice of using a battery for several hours without running out of steam.
Have you replaced with another brand or less steam? If so, what did you get and is it working for you?
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 07:26 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Coach
Arroyo Grande & Central Point
, California & Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 624
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromDad
I need to purchase 2 new Lifeline Batteries, GPL-24T, or replace with something less or another brand. My husband wants to go the cheapest route....I want to go the best route. I'm the RVer....he rides along when he can.
Should I get the same brand/strength....is 'strength' the right word? Or, can I settle on something less? I prefer the AGM....at least I gather the AGM is the best way to go....the less maintenance the better.
Any/all advice would be greatly appreciated.
I did search the forums but I don't understand battery lingo....so...simple words work best for me and perhaps anyone else needing help like me.
What's the least power battery for the Intersate?
I usually stay at rv parks. I plug in at home. But! It would be nice to have the choice of using a battery for several hours without running out of steam.
Have you replaced with another brand or less steam? If so, what did you get and is it working for you?
|
The lifelines are great batteries. For a small amount more $$ you can get their GPL 4CT's which are their 6v batteries. You will increase your capacity from 160AH to 220AH which is a 37.5% increase in capacity. Whoever installs your new batteries should know to wire them in series instead of parallel which is the way your current batteries are wired. (no big deal and there is ample existing cable to wire them in series). You need to wire them this way so you wind up with 12volts from the two 6 volt batteries. Street price is probably around $280-$300 ea but you might want to contact Lifeline directly. If they know you are upgrading from their batteries they might cut you a deal. Good Luck.
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 07:54 PM
|
#3
|
2 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
AA Co
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
|
Thanks! I was actually hoping to spend the same or less. I did look online and found the cheapest for what I have is $245 each. I'm assuming you bought your Interstate with the Lifelines installed as did I. I could have sworn I read that I have 12 volts in each battery, not 6. I better check. Was wondering if anyone got away with a Lifeline that is cheaper which means less umph. I'm butchering what I'm trying to convey.
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 08:06 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
|
AGMs can be mounted inside without venting, wet cells (which are less expensive) cannot. If your battery box(es) are vented, you could consider replacing the AGMs with wet cell (standard RV/Marine deep discharge batteries) at about half the price, but the AGMs will probably last longer so the cost savings may not be realized. Also, the wet cells need periodic inspection for water level and potential topping up.
Group 24's are probably the smallest capacity battery you can get, but if the GPL-24Ts are connected in parallel as your house battery, you could try getting by on just one. Just disconnect the other battery and re-wire as necessary to ensure that all original equipment is still connected. You will have half the capacity when not on shore power and may not be able to use an inverter for very long, if you have one, but you have cut your cost in half.
I am speaking from the perspective of electrical specifications, not from any experience with Interstates, but my Safari 25 had only one Group 24 battery and we did spend one night without shore power and had no problems.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 08:10 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 691
|
Whatc21bill said. You want more run time get the 2 (6 volt)batteries. When they are wired in series you have 12 volts as you now have but you have a 20 to 30% increase in use time for only about $100.00
Now is the time to do it.
Dave
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 09:26 PM
|
#6
|
2 Rivet Member
1962 28' Ambassador
Swannanoa
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
|
Batteries
I don't know your rig, but to echo others comments, if the batteries are vented into your living space, get the AGM's. Lifelines are great. There are other brands. Shop around for the correct group size, which is both a physical size of battery and correlating capacity in amp hours. I.e. Group 24, 27, 31....
AGM batteries are great for living space. I choose flooded batteries whenever I can as long as they are easy to maintain and I keep them charged. They last a very long time when connected to a sufficient solar setup with sophisticated charge controller. Check NAPA or Batteries Plus for AGM batteries and check the warranty and reviews if you can.
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 09:28 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Coach
Arroyo Grande & Central Point
, California & Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 624
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromDad
Thanks! I was actually hoping to spend the same or less. I did look online and found the cheapest for what I have is $245 each. I'm assuming you bought your Interstate with the Lifelines installed as did I. I could have sworn I read that I have 12 volts in each battery, not 6. I better check. Was wondering if anyone got away with a Lifeline that is cheaper which means less umph. I'm butchering what I'm trying to convey.
|
You do have 12v batteries now. What I am suggesting is to replace them with 2 Lifeline 6 volt batteries which have much more capacity. When you wire them in series you wind up with 12v like you have now but higher capacity. You'll find that many many rv'ers make this change. This in my opinion is the best route, not the cheapest by far but considering the added cost in relation to the value of your rv it is not a lot of $$. Good luck
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 09:33 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
1962 28' Ambassador
Swannanoa
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 20
|
6v
Btw, what they're talking about is connecting two 6v batteries together, like Trojan T105s or similar, which makes a 12v battery. Many people swear by this setup but it's not definitively better. Lots of people stick with the 12 v batteries.
You would have to modify the space if you're adding more batteries, I dunno. Really a good battery monitor and a modern sophisticated charger with correct algorithms for AGM or other tech is most important. Keeping your batteries topped is key.
|
|
|
03-25-2017, 10:10 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Spicewood (W of Austin)
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,919
|
FromDad... apparently no one read and/or understood your original statement that you usually camp at FHUs and store it at home while also connected, and almost never dry camp.
In that scenario... you are already OVER-battery'd... Only ONE 12V battery is all you should ever need.
So if you want new batteries... ditch one of your AGMs and only buy ONE AGM, and enjoy your very adequate battery-capacity. One 12V battery will easily get you thru one night, like you said you would like to believe you could do if it happened. This will save you money by going to one battery.
If you really want to cut down the expenditure... switch to a flooded cell battery (or two even) if your battery is mounted outside the coach. (I have a much less capable flooded cell ordinary el-cheapo WalMart auto battery and dry camped 4 days before I used a generator to recharge and then stayed another 3 days. The two of us only used a couple overhead lights at nite, took "navy" showers, and did not need a furnace. We did watch TV one night to see a football game and news. Never a problem.)
However, it's true... those AGM batteries are the Cadillacs and flooded cell batteries are Chevy's.
|
|
|
03-26-2017, 11:31 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
|
FWIW, the AI battery compartment is vented to the outside.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
|
|
|
03-26-2017, 12:46 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
1969 29' Ambassador
brooksville
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,270
|
Sounds like you camp like we do. We have 1 12 AGM battery that we bought from SAMs Club. I can't remember how many hours capacity it how's, but since we camp plugged in all of the time it not a big deal. I think it really depends on how often you are going to be camping off the grid.
__________________
Not all those who wonder are lost.
|
|
|
03-26-2017, 08:54 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2006 22' Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 698
|
Airstream has engineered in lots of subtle ways to kill a battery. Make sure that you identify whatever caused your old batteries to go bad before you sink any money into new ones.
|
|
|
03-26-2017, 10:05 PM
|
#13
|
2 Rivet Member
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
northport
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromDad
I need to purchase 2 new Lifeline Batteries, GPL-24T, or replace with something less or another brand. My husband wants to go the cheapest route....I want to go the best route. I'm the RVer....he rides along when he can.
Should I get the same brand/strength....is 'strength' the right word? Or, can I settle on something less? I prefer the AGM....at least I gather the AGM is the best way to go....the less maintenance the better.
Any/all advice would be greatly appreciated.
I did search the forums but I don't understand battery lingo....so...simple words work best for me and perhaps anyone else needing help like me.
What's the least power battery for the Intersate?
I usually stay at rv parks. I plug in at home. But! It would be nice to have the choice of using a battery for several hours without running out of steam.
Have you replaced with another brand or less steam? If so, what did you get and is it working for you?
|
I have gone round and round with this battery issue. If you are consistently going from hookup to hookup and being plugged in to shore power, stick with the lifeline 12 volt batteries. Call them directly and they can work with you. Converting over to 6 volt deep cycle AGM batteries will give you more battery recource but will also take longer to charge them. You will also need to have your settings on your inverter/charger adjusted to maximize it's efficiency for a battery voltage change. Overall the AGM Lifeline batteries are your best seamless replacement. They are more expensive but a whole lot less worrisome and that sounds like what you need. The problem with the interstate rigs are they were not designed to boondock on battery power. They have way too many items constantly drawing battery power and are not equipped with the proper battery recouces to self contain for much more than 12 to18 hours on batteries alone. I hope this helps.
|
|
|
03-26-2017, 10:14 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
AA Co
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
|
Loads of info....thanks to everyone. It sounds like the best route for me is to replace the two with a single. Why their charge holds for so little time is a mystery to me. I have a 2013 Airstream on a 2012 chassis. I purchased it in Feb of 2014 from a dealer...it had 189 miles. I believe there are two reasons the Lifelines didn't hold.....they depleted completely 2 or 3 times...or....I overcharged. I never have gotten the hang of batteries. Had a Roadtrek before this one and I replaced the battery 4 times in the 10 years I owned it. I must be doing something wrong. What I need is a battery recipe to follow. When plugged in do this....when driving do this....only do this when sitting. I NEED a Battery Book for Dumbies! Some of the lingo I've read here and in the manual sounds like Chinese to me....I feel like I did in 9th grade algebra where the highest grade I got on a test was a D-......this frustrated my dad, an engineer. I get so lost in the wording, get frustrated, drop kick the books across the driveway, and abuse my batteries which revolt. Yep, getting one battery sounds like the best thing for me to do.
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 04:50 PM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Sedona
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,084
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromDad
Loads of info....thanks to everyone. It sounds like the best route for me is to replace the two with a single. Why their charge holds for so little time is a mystery to me. I have a 2013 Airstream on a 2012 chassis. I purchased it in Feb of 2014 from a dealer...it had 189 miles. I believe there are two reasons the Lifelines didn't hold.....they depleted completely 2 or 3 times...or....I overcharged. I never have gotten the hang of batteries. Had a Roadtrek before this one and I replaced the battery 4 times in the 10 years I owned it. I must be doing something wrong. What I need is a battery recipe to follow. When plugged in do this....when driving do this....only do this when sitting. I NEED a Battery Book for Dumbies! Some of the lingo I've read here and in the manual sounds like Chinese to me....I feel like I did in 9th grade algebra where the highest grade I got on a test was a D-......this frustrated my dad, an engineer. I get so lost in the wording, get frustrated, drop kick the books across the driveway, and abuse my batteries which revolt. Yep, getting one battery sounds like the best thing for me to do.
|
Hold on there!! I don't wish to provide advice that conflicts with everyone else's good advice, but there's another consideration here that nobody mentioned:
Lead acid batteries, whether AGM or wet cell, should never be allowed to discharge below 50%, otherwise they'll be quickly ruined and you'll end up in the same situation as you are now.
If you decide to go with the cheap option (a single 24T 12V battery), then you'll increase the risk of discharging it below 50%. Are you likely to be stopping your journey for lunch or shopping with the fridge running and maybe the Maxxfan to keep the interior cool? You may easily drain it below 50% with a single 24T.
I would never want to replace what I currently have with something of a lower capacity.
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 05:05 PM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
Have you considered living a battery-free lifestyle for a while?Your recent Post #14 suggests that such a change might be good to try IMO.
Try it, you might like it?
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 05:13 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Coach
Arroyo Grande & Central Point
, California & Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 624
|
Ditto on what UKDUDE advises. Very sensible advise to have more, not less battery capacity.
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 06:28 PM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,867
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by c21bill
Ditto on what UKDUDE advises. Very sensible advise to have more, not less battery capacity.
|
Yes it was good advice. Only problem is the stock Interstate setup does not give you good information on the true state of charge in the batteries.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 06:35 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Sedona
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,084
|
And here's another consideration that nobody yet mentioned in this thread:
You never got to the bottom of why your previous batteries died, and of course there could be many explanations. The Interstate is different from the travel trailers in that it has its own set of issues to have to deal with. "Issues" in this context means parasitic draws on the batteries when you think they are disconnected.
If your Interstate is equipped with a Magnum inverter/charger, then you're in luck since it can be left plugged into shore power indefinitely, and that will go a long way to ensuring the batteries are maintained. But if you have a Tripplite then you cannot leave it plugged in indefinitely since it's not a smart charger and leaving it plugged in would ultimately overcook the batteries. It's hard to live with a Tripplite!
|
|
|
03-27-2017, 10:07 PM
|
#20
|
2 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
AA Co
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
|
I DO have that 'Magnum' thingy!!! I found the word 'inverter' when I pushed a button! I have been reading and re-reading the little manual trying to understand it all. At any rate....when do you turn it on and turn it off. Turn it off while driving? While plugged in? While the generator is running? Or turn it on for any or all of the above and something else I might be missing? I realize I must sound like a goober. There has to be a recipe...lack of another word....that tells people like me step by step what to click/push/turn in any situation. Talk to me like one would a 6 year old.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UKDUDE
And here's another consideration that nobody yet mentioned in this thread:
You never got to the bottom of why your previous batteries died, and of course there could be many explanations. The Interstate is different from the travel trailers in that it has its own set of issues to have to deal with. "Issues" in this context means parasitic draws on the batteries when you think they are disconnected.
If your Interstate is equipped with a Magnum inverter/charger, then you're in luck since it can be left plugged into shore power indefinitely, and that will go a long way to ensuring the batteries are maintained. But if you have a Tripplite then you cannot leave it plugged in indefinitely since it's not a smart charger and leaving it plugged in would ultimately overcook the batteries. It's hard to live with a Tripplite!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|