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Old 05-22-2017, 11:46 AM   #1
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2017 19' Flying Cloud
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Lifeline Battery

I own a 2016 19' Flying Cloud and have gone through 2 sets of Interstate Batteries. Is there anyone who is familiar with the Lifeline family of batteries and if so are they suitable for my 30amp flying cloud and what experience have you had with them.
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Old 05-22-2017, 12:24 PM   #2
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I can't answer your questions regarding the lifelines, but I'd be curious toe know why you went through two sets of interstates in a year and a half. Did you boil the batteries dry with the single stage charger, or leave them for too long and discharged them beyond their ability to recover?

Mike
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Old 05-22-2017, 03:51 PM   #3
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What type of interstate batteries did you go through? What is your maintenance on them? What type of charger do you have?
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Old 05-22-2017, 05:15 PM   #4
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My Bambi has two Lifeline GPL-4CT 225 amp hour batteries and a PD4655 converter/charger. They're mounted inside, underneath the dinette seat.

We can go 4+ days with this setup depending on fan use.
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Old 05-22-2017, 06:37 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmichaud6489 View Post
I own a 2016 19' Flying Cloud and have gone through 2 sets of Interstate Batteries. Is there anyone who is familiar with the Lifeline family of batteries and if so are they suitable for my 30amp flying cloud and what experience have you had with them.
Interstates are decent batteries, not the best but ok. Most problems arise from frying the batteries like mentioned above. Change out the single stage converter/charger for a multi stage one that turns off when batteries are fully charged. This is located below your fuse/breaker box, part of the same set up. One done you'll get some longevity out of these batteries rather than spending many $$$$ on Trojan or other batteries.
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Old 05-22-2017, 08:14 PM   #6
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I have a 2016 Flying Cloud 19 as well. I lost my first set of batteries due to my lack of knowledge (ignorance) about how to properly maintain them. Interstate replaced them for free. I went ahead and upgraded to the 6v lifelines and the PD4655 converter. All is well. In the process I learned more about batteries and feel confident that I could have successfully maintained the Interstate batteries with the stock single stage converter.

The lifelines are doing fine and do provide quite a bit more Amp hours than the interstates.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you learn how the system works and how to maintain the batteries. Read, read, read. They are not plug and play like in a car, you have to know how to monitor and maintain.
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:17 PM   #7
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Lewster, who is a Master Mechanic and posts to the Forums regularly, is a Lifeline dealer and will make you a good deal, delivered. I bought a pair from him several years ago and was completely pleased.

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Old 05-23-2017, 03:08 PM   #8
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Well,if you replace your stock interstate batteries with the six volt lifelines do you have to re-locate them or can they be put in the same battery box outside
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:24 PM   #9
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Well,if you replace your stock interstate batteries with the six volt lifelines do you have to re-locate them or can they be put in the same battery box outside
I asked the same question... Lewster said that that you can put them in the battery box but you will want to remove the plastic insert tray... He removes it, anyway. He also suggested getting a steel plate, with a hole in it, to put between the wing nut and the batteries. As of yet, i have not removed my tray, and the batteries don't quite sit all the way down. Also, the threaded post doesn't have enough length to fit the wing nut with the tray in place. I can still close the door, however.
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:15 PM   #10
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Thx, if you can send me a photo. It'll go into the planning phase.
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:23 PM   #11
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Anyone have any experience with the universal are other brands of AGM batteries
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:29 PM   #12
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Most deep cycle batteries require nigher voltages than what the stock Airstream converter/charger can provide. Upgrade your converter/charger to a multistage unit before purchasing new batteries otherwise you are left in the same boat.

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Old 05-23-2017, 05:31 PM   #13
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Thx, I've got the pd4655, so that part is ready
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:56 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmichaud6489 View Post
I own a 2016 19' Flying Cloud and have gone through 2 sets of Interstate Batteries. Is there anyone who is familiar with the Lifeline family of batteries and if so are they suitable for my 30amp flying cloud and what experience have you had with them.
Do you know why you're going through batteries?

My suspicion it's not the batteries, but rather leaving them in an uncharged state too long, or leaving them charging without having a smart charger that goes to a float charge once the batteries are at 100%
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:58 PM   #15
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We upgraded our Interstate factory batteries to Lifeline GPL-24T's in August of 2013. After hundreds of nights of use, many in boondock locations, as well as numerous night without shore power in parking lots and rest stops, the Lifelines are going strong.

We do watch to make sure that they are not overly discharged. We also have a solar system that is active when the AS is in storage, and we have also upgraded the charger/converter to a PD4655.

My son also has a 2013 Airstream with factory Lifelines and Factory solar, and his Lifelines are doing great despite the fact that on two occasions the Lifelines were totally discharged due to inadvertent trickle charge disconnect. After a few days with his PD4655 setup, the Lifelines are functioning well.

So based on our 3.5 years experience, the Lifeline GPL-24T, Solar, and PD4655 combination have served us well.

Best wishes on your decision.
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Old 05-23-2017, 06:08 PM   #16
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In m y 2007 Safari the Interstates lasted seven years. In my 2014, they are still fine in their fourth year. And we boondock a lot.

I'm not saying I won't go with an AGM when these die, but don't just throw out working batteries - use them till they die and then make a change if you want to.
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Old 05-24-2017, 06:25 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caffeinated View Post
I can't answer your questions regarding the lifelines, but I'd be curious toe know why you went through two sets of interstates in a year and a half. Did you boil the batteries dry with the single stage charger, or leave them for too long and discharged them beyond their ability to recover?

Mike
Just pure ignorance and being new at all of this. But learning a lot as I go along.
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Old 05-24-2017, 06:31 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by amaier7771 View Post
We upgraded our Interstate factory batteries to Lifeline GPL-24T's in August of 2013. After hundreds of nights of use, many in boondock locations, as well as numerous night without shore power in parking lots and rest stops, the Lifelines are going strong.

We do watch to make sure that they are not overly discharged. We also have a solar system that is active when the AS is in storage, and we have also upgraded the charger/converter to a PD4655.

My son also has a 2013 Airstream with factory Lifelines and Factory solar, and his Lifelines are doing great despite the fact that on two occasions the Lifelines were totally discharged due to inadvertent trickle charge disconnect. After a few days with his PD4655 setup, the Lifelines are functioning well.

So based on our 3.5 years experience, the Lifeline GPL-24T, Solar, and PD4655 combination have served us well.

Best wishes on your decision.
This is the route I am inclined to take. Thanks for taking the time.
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Old 05-24-2017, 06:34 AM   #19
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It is my understanding in talking to both airstream and lifeline, they will fit nice
Y.
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Old 05-24-2017, 06:36 AM   #20
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How do I get in touch with Lewster
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