Batteries - what kind?

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi 28'...

direct connection of genset to trailer batteries isn't a great idea for regular use, and according to the juice gurus here.

since voltage isn't regulated.

why do you wanna take this approach, when plugging IN via the cord/outlet/charger is so easy?

cheers
2air'

Another reason NOT to use the genie's 12v charger is it's low output - my eu2000 only puts out 8 amps. By plugging in the univolt it's like 30amps

[Mike S]

I am new to the forum and to Airstream trailers. But I have done a bit with dual battery set-ups in vehicles, boats and small camping trailers. I would like to add a couple of thoughts...

1. Optima used to be a premium battery, but recently they have had quality problems. I have had two successive failures (withtin warranty) on Optima Yellow Top batteries, and currently have six Optimas in my truck waiting to go back to the distributor for the same reason. My distributor recommends the DEKA AGM battery over the Optima, and the DEKA is about $50 less money. I like AGM batteries over flooded batteries because they are lower maintenance, less likely to leak, and have minimal off-gassing.

2. In my light camping trailer - used behind my Landcruiser for long boondock trips, I use two Group 31 105 AH marine batteries and a Guest 2 bank battery tender. I just plug it into 110 and it keeps the batteries in top condition - always ready to go. Deep draw batteries are best charged at low amperage (usually about 2 amps) and the Guest does a great job at intelligent charging and maintaining the batteries. These are tiny - about 4" X 6" X 1" and are easily mounted near the battery. They are available at marine stores - West Marine is a good source.

In general, RVer's can learn and borrow a great deal from he sailboat industry in systems design, electronics, communications and the efficient use of space. The problems are similar, but the sailors operate in a much more hostile environment, so their systems need to be top quality.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Mike S

I... I use two Group 31 105 AH marine batteries and a Guest 2 bank battery tender. I just plug it into 110 and it keeps the batteries in top condition - always ready to go. Deep draw batteries are best charged at low amperage (usually about 2 amps) and the Guest does a great job at intelligent charging and maintaining the batteries. These are tiny - about 4" X 6" X 1" and are easily mounted near the battery. They are available at marine stores - West Marine is a good source.

...

Mike, I Googled "Guest Battery Tender" and only got other brands. Can you provide a link?

Zep

[Mike S]

Here is a link to this product...

Guest Battery Charger[

[lewster]

If you want one of the most sophisticated chargers on the market, check this one out!

12 Volt 2-4 or 8 Amp BatteryMINDer Charger and Maintainer

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by lewster

If you want one of the most sophisticated chargers on the market, chck this one out!

12 Volt 2-4 or 8 Amp BatteryMINDer Charger and Maintainer

Lew,

Do you think this is a worthwhile investment if you have an Intellipower 9200? It seems to have a fairly sophisticated 3-stage charging curve, but I leave the Airstream plugged in througout the winter and have noticed I do need to water the batteries at least once a year (not just maintenance, but significant water).

Zep

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Lew,

Do you think this is a worthwhile investment if you have an Intellipower 9200? It seems to have a fairly sophisticated 3-stage charging curve, but I leave the Airstream plugged in througout the winter and have noticed I do need to water the batteries at least once a year (not just maintenance, but significant water).

Zep

Hey Zep,

This is the one I use all the time. The 3-stage WFCO is nice, but the BatteryMinder is BETTER in that you can set the charge rate at 2/4/8 amps, set the type of battery, as in gell, liquid or AGM, and it has a neat auto de-sulphating feature that I partiularly like, and it give you an idea of the battery's condition.

Plus, you can get them for around $100 from Northern Tool (but don't tell anyone I told you........it's supposed to be a secret!)

[richinny]

Originally Posted by lewster

Plus, you can get them for around $100 from Northern Tool (but don't tell anyone I told you........it's supposed to be a secret!)

pssst....Item# 167985

Was $99.99
Sale $84.99

[lewster]

Originally Posted by richinny

pssst....Item# 167985

Was $99.99
Sale $84.99

Nice price......wrong item!

This is the one and it's not on sale...............


BatteryMinder Battery Charger / Maintainer with Desulphator — 12 Volt 2/4/8 Amp, Model# 12248
Item# 167988
Only $99.99

But remember........it's a secret!!!!

[bryanl]

Do you think this is a worthwhile investment if you have an Intellipower 9200?

The PD+CW or WFCO are probably best for permanent installations as RV converters, chargers, and battery maintainers. The MINDer shines when you need something more portable to help maintain or improve a variety of batteries. IOW, using each tool for its intended purpose is usually best practice.

The PD+CW, WFCO, and MINDer all appear to be top of class for what they do.

[richinny]

Nice price......wrong item!

This is the one and it's not on sale...............

oops, thanks Lew, at least i had the starting price right.

[Devoman]

Left the batteries on by accident and ran them into the ground.No more charge,No more power.I have to get new ones.
Worst part today was that the lock on the box was rusted and I could not get it to open.Finally just drilled it out and turned it with a screw driver.Have to get a new latch now.Almost ready for some camping.

[loudruff]

Larry says buy the biggest ones that you can afford, but measure your battery box first. They need to fit.
We just bought batteries for ours. We found that the Crown Battery Co. had an outlet store. There we were able to buy slight blemishes for half price. Call around.

[Lily&Me]

Hi folks, help needed, please.

We have an 06 Interstate, on an 05 Dodge chassis. We figure the battery has been in there since at least 2005. It goes from fully charged to near-dead after 2 days of boondocking, and we're very careful about usage. We think it's time to replace and would like to put in a very good and reliable battery.

What to look and ask for as to type of battery? Reading this thread, the Lifeline Marine & RV Deep Cycle sound good.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Maggie

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

...What to look and ask for as to type of battery?...

1. unless there is UNused space around the current battery, DIMENSIONS are important...

2. IF wanting MORE days of power, more capacity or multiple batteries will be needed.

3. the current battery is some "group size" this is usually stamped on the battery or can be found on the brand website.

it might also be in your owners or parts manual.

4. there are only a few MAKERS of batteries and many BRAND'rs and label'rs of those few brands.

5. so buy fresh, buy local and buy with a good warranty or service reputation.
__________

the SIMPLEST approach is to REPLACE the current one with the same GROUP SIZE.

agms are LESS maintenance (no need to add water)

and RECHARGE a bit quicker but cost 2x as much or more than flooded wet cells.

has the current battery had WATER added to it ever?

the ONE u have probably supplies 40-50 amp hours of useful juice.

so knowing how much power is used is important for juggling supply.
__________

discharging below ~50% affects LIFESPAN of these things.

go below 50% occasionally (1-3 times a year) may not have shorten life...

but going to 10% or near zero does, and going below 50% often does.

that's not bad but needs to be understood.

some folks LIKE suck'n'em way down and don't mind buying a new battery every 2-3 years as a result.

others expect or want a coach battery to last 10 years or longer.

your choice.

just don't assume COST=more days boondocking.

SIZE/WEIGHT/amp-hours=more days boondocking.

careful consuption=more days boondocking.

so if you want MORE time buy bigger/heavier or multiples or get thriftier.

it's sorta like carrying a water jug that can only be emptied about 1/2 way...

how big the jug is matters as does how much u drink/wash

but size of the jug matters more than shape or color.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...tay-46844.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ies-57392.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ery-40049.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ery-14729.html

cheers
2air'

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, 2Air, for the info and thread referrals.

What's in there now is a "Legend 75, Maintenance Free" with a 75 month warranty. No water has ever been added nor other maintenance performed, we didn't think we needed to do that.

Our systems monitor only shows colors, not levels or percents, but getting down to red in 48 hours or so, and not enough charge left to start the generator is happening always in recent weeks.

We have camped without electric long enough to need the generator to re-charge only a few times in 3+ years of ownership, so don't think we have been abusing it too much, but perhaps have.


Maggie

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

...What's in there now is a "Legend 75, Maintenance Free" with a 75 month warranty...

it would appear that's a napa branded battery.

so IF u like it visit a napa store.

the coach SHOULD have 2 batteries, one for starter/engine purposes and one for coach needs...

the coach batteries are usually deep cycle labeled and the starter battery "starter" labeled.

the interstate came with a euro battery that a/s immediately replaced with an "interstate" brand replacement...

so the napa isn't oem and that's not bad (or good)

the point is replace the coach battery with the LARGEST amp/hour that will fit in the space provided.

and stick with replacements labeled for deepcycle/marine/rv use...
________

while the green/yellow/red read out display is easy to view...

it does NOT give a very accurate report of battery status.

this stuff is covered in depth in other threads and may not matter 2 everyone.

cheers
2air'

[Lily&Me]

There are two batteries, it is the coach battery that is giving us problems.

It is a NAPA brand and we have located a dealer just north of us in Rio Dell, CA, where we are headed now to have him check it. It should still be under the 75 month warranty, so if replacement is needed they should cover to that $ amount and then we can upgrade.

We are armed with your information and suggestions.

Thanks,

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Well, here we sit at the Napa dealer, who has discovered our coach battery is a car battery rather than any kind of deep cycle RV battery. That explains a lot.

As we are the original owners of this RV, the battery Airstream put in it in 2006 is what logically should be in that compartment. However, the battery that was there apparently went the way of the original awning---which we had the warranty for but was not that same as the one removed when we had to have it replaced 2 years ago due to wind damage. Hmmm.

Replacing with a deep cycle Marine/RV battery at this time.


Maggie

[2airishuman]

yeah i suspected u were using a starter battery based on the name...

some will argue this issue confuses buyers, since the constuction vs type issue is blurry.

just go for the one with the MOST amps inside the magic box that will FIT in da'rollin box.

cheers
2air'