Interstate Batteries

[vajeep]

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

Thanks Don,

After doing a little more checking around, I was advised that the Blue Topped Optimas were an "excellent" substitute for the wet cell batteries. I'm told that they work well with our recharging systems. I've ordered two today as I feel my pair are on their last legs and don't want to find out after it's too late. Thanks to David Tidmore at Williams Airstream in Weatherford, Texas for this advice.

Dick,
I am looking for a new battery. Our Overlander only has one. I am leaning towards the Blue Top Optimas. Would you recomend this brand over the AMG/glass mat or are they the same??
Thanks,
Abe

[vajeep]

Ok I am going to get the Optima Blue top, but how do I decide between the
D34m
D31M

Thanks!~

[flyfshr]

I'm on my second Interstate battery. The first one bit it when my daughter unplugged the trailer from shore power to plug in her portable radio when swimming. Fridge switched over to battery power and you all know the outcome of that. Bought another Interstate last year and it's not powering up the firdge or holding a charge for very long. Just about time for a new battery and it sounds like an Optima would be a good choice. Thanks for the tip.

Brad
FF

[wasafari]

My Interstates went to battery heaven after the Magantek cooked them. replaced the convereter charger with a WFCO 3 stage, then plunked two East Penn 6 volt AGM's in the battery box. Had to make the box a couple inches taller, that was pretty easy, now I have much more in the way of reserve capacity and relatively maint free batteries to boot. Soon as I can get this picture thing figured out I will post them. Also going to check the tongue weight tomorrow, if it's a little high I will just yank one of the propane tanks out and carry it in the back of the truck. The batteries were about $160 a piece at Batteries Plus here in Spokane (includes tax and freight).

[wasafari]

okay, I got this picture thing figured out! I put three in members photos, first one shows the 2 batteries on the original batt box, second one is an aux power system I made with 2 6volts, a cut-off and breaker wired into a xantrex inverter, 3rd picture shows how the batteries sit with the box modified. I bolted the factory lid on to the front of the extension, made the hold-down a little longer, and away we go. Adios Interstates!!!!!!!

[sequoiacoast]

What do you all say about Interstate AGMs?

[lewster]

If you are going to invest in AGM batteries, get the best: Lifeline, period. They have a 5 year warranty and are found on all of the expensive Prevost bus conversions and other high end motor homes as OEM equipment. (and on my '06 19CCD )!

Optima batteries are not AGM, but are gel batteries. These have no liquid electrolyte, but are very sensitive to charge volltage variations and will not tolerate deep drawdowns like the AGM will. Any big voltage fluctuations in a gel will cause the gel to strip away from the lead plates, causing a scar and reducing the output capacity and life of the battery.

If you really want a superior set-up, go with a pair of AGM 6VDC golf cart batteries: Lifeline Marine Batteries - AGM Marine Battery GPL-4C. They have superior draw down characteristics and capacities and are built for super heavy duty use in golf carts, providing many more charge/discharge cycles too.

These batteries ARE NOT CHEAP!, but they are the BEST you can get.

[pmclemore]

I have a single battery under the gaucho (installed in a ventilated box) that is accessed from a hatch at the front of my Safari. One battery is not enough. Can I install two Lifeline AGMs in that compartment without having to vent to the outside?

Thanks - Pat.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

I have a single battery under the gaucho (installed in a ventilated box) that is accessed from a hatch at the front of my Safari. One battery is not enough. Can I install two Lifeline AGMs in that compartment without having to vent to the outside?

Thanks - Pat.

Hi Pat,

Some folks are extra cautious when it comes to outgassing because it is essentially hydrogen sulfide. Lifelines are so safe that they use them in the space program and are AIR SHIPPABLE! I would assume that they are safe for your intended purpose if the FAA will allow them on an aircraft.

Let me know if you need any other help finding them.

[pmclemore]

Thanks, Lew. I would like to do this in stages (budget, you know). It would work out well to spend the bucks for the right batteries, pause a while, install a battery box just 'cause it feels better, pause a while, then go solar.

Then go disappear for awhile.

Pat

[ScottW]

OK, how long should two new (07 Classic) batteries maintain a charge. Mine go down to less than 1/4 charge in 5 - 6 days with no apparent draw (ie nothing on!).
Guess I'll add that to my warranty list.

[vswingfield]

This is the other end of the spectrum from Optimas, which are great by my understanding, but I have had excellent luck with batteries from Wally World. They have usually lasted well beyond their design life. The one failure, a start battery in my old van, highlighted the difference between them and others. Wal-Mart's exchange policy is legendary. There was none of this "We have to charge it overnight and check on it tomorrow." It was put that one here and go get another off the shelf. You can get a new battery 24 hours a day in most places. You can even camp in the parking lot.

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by ScottW

OK, how long should two new (07 Classic) batteries maintain a charge. Mine go down to less than 1/4 charge in 5 - 6 days with no apparent draw (ie nothing on!).
Guess I'll add that to my warranty list.

Scott,
Don't forget that the propane detector is pulling power from your batteries. Other draws include the 12 v. panel for your refrigerator if on gas, the standby modes of an inverter (1.5 amps/hr) as well as the TV and any DC equipment that has a clock in it. A battery will naturally discharge on it's own each day but all those other items add up. It sure isn't like my old '77 Excella 500 with Dometic RM100 refrigerator and not one single phantom draw from the battery. With two Delco Voyager maintenance free grp. 27 batteries, I could leave the trailer for several weeks without the 5 watt solar panel and still show a full charge. Sounds like you need to hunt up the equipment which is drawing your battery down. Certain equipment can be unplugged when not there and other 12 volt equipment might need a toggle switch added to cut the power to that specific device.

[ScottW]

Craig,
Thanks for the input. I can't think of a single draw on the batteries...everything is OFF. Maybe I am missing something. In any event, I'll let the experts check it out. In the mean time, I'll leave it plugged in.
Thanks again.