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Prairie · 03-11-2015, 09:15 PM

I need to replace the house batteries in my 2010 Interstate. Previous owner installed wet cell, deep cycle boat/RV batteries and its just too much trouble to get to them under the rear seat to check and fill them. Search function isn't working now or I would look at old threads. What's recommended now? Has anybody had experiences either good or bad? Thanks.

Protagonist · 03-11-2015, 11:42 PM

Not sure about the battery box for a 2010, so my answer is NOT definitive…

My 2012 came with two Discover Energy EV-24A-A "traction" batteries, which are deep-cycle AGMs designed for use on electric forklifts and such. Not ideal for RV use, but not too bad. (http://www.rectifier.co.za/Batteries...df/EV24A-A.pdf)

When the time comes to replace them, I'll be using Lifeline GPL-24T AGM batteries, which if memory serve is what comes standard in newer-model Interstates (Lifeline Batteries - Marine & RV Deep Cycle Batteries)

InterBlog · 03-12-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

... When the time comes to replace them, I'll be using Lifeline ....

We had to replace ours a few months ago and we also chose the Lifeline. My husband did the headwork on that decision so I'm not sure of the rationale, but I am sure it was thoroughly researched.

Boxster1971 · 03-12-2015, 08:31 AM

My 2013 came with LifeLine AGM batteries. I think they are now standard.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

Prairie · 03-12-2015, 08:59 AM

Batteries Plus here in Eastern NC quotes two GPL-24T at $589.24. Does anyone know of another vendor?

jkcru · 03-12-2015, 09:01 AM

That price is good. They ain't cheap

73shark · 03-12-2015, 04:12 PM

Some have gone with two 6 volt in series to achieve a greater amp/hour capacity.

Might check Amazon and eBay. Lifeline is the brand that I see mentioned most often.

Protagonist · 03-12-2015, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73shark

Some have gone with two 6 volt in series to achieve a greater amp/hour capacity.

This only works with the right battery box. In Airstream Interstates where the two house batteries are stacked one atop the other with a wooden false floor in between, it's very tight; the posts of the top battery come very close to making contact with the metal lid of the battery box. The Lifeline 6v 230-amp-hour batteries are taller than the Group 24 12v batteries.

For EXT Interstates with a pull-out battery ttray where the batteries are side-by-side, this is a completely viable option, though.

ben322 · 03-12-2015, 05:45 PM

Two GPL-24's give you 160AH. The lounge battery box will fit two GPL-6CT's which will almost double the capacity at 300AH. Unless you're adding another battery box, this is a large as you can go with the stock configuration.

73shark · 03-12-2015, 06:33 PM

Someone described in excruciating detail on this forum how to use 2 of the 6 volt Lifeline batteries and make it fit.

Or maybe it was on the Sprinter forum.

ben322 · 03-13-2015, 03:28 AM

Here's what I did here in which I cut the lid but perhaps a thinner spacer between the batteries might make it unnecessary.

lewster · 03-13-2015, 05:43 AM

Here are a few shots that might help:

First, remove the box

Next, replace the floor with a water proof material and seal with SikaFlex 221

Place batteries and restrain in place

You're done!

These are Lifeline GPL-6CT 300 amp/hour 6VDC batteries

UKDUDE · 03-13-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Here are a few shots that might help:
First, remove the box
Next, replace the floor with a water proof material and seal with SikaFlex 221
Place batteries and restrain in place
You're done!
These are Lifeline GPL-6CT 300 amp/hour 6VDC batteries

Very interesting, Lew! So you removed the box altogether; and it hardly matters whether it's the old type (stacked) box or the newer type with the pull-out tray?

Some detail questions please:
How do you restrain the batteries?
What about the external vent? Sealed off or still required?
The carpet was held to the original box with velcro. Did you stick that onto one of the batteries?
How can you ensure nothing in the rear can touch the terminals?

Thanks, Peter

lewster · 03-14-2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

Very interesting, Lew! So you removed the box altogether; and it hardly matters whether it's the old type (stacked) box or the newer type with the pull-out tray?

Some detail questions please:

How do you restrain the batteries?

What about the external vent? Sealed off or still required?

The carpet was held to the original box with velcro. Did you stick that onto one of the batteries?

How can you ensure nothing in the rear can touch the terminals?

Thanks, Peter

Peter,

Nope, as a good friend from 'Nawlins' always says "it don't make no matta" what type of box you have.

The external vent gets sealed so no water can enter they it. Not required with Lifelines and the new Lithiums are incapable of gassing.

New Velcro tabs on batteries to hold the carpet. All positive terminals (2) are covered and insulated with red silicone boots.

I typically don't run more than 1 wire to the positive output terminal, preferring to use remote terminal blocks.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

UKDUDE · 03-14-2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Peter,

Nope, as a good friend from 'Nawlins' always says "it don't make no matta" what type of box you have.

The external vent gets sealed so no water can enter they it. Not required with Lifelines and the new Lithiums are incapable of gassing.

New Velcro tabs on batteries to hold the carpet. All positive terminals (2) are covered and insulated with red silicone boots.

I typically don't run more than 1 wire to the positive output terminal, preferring to use remote terminal blocks.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks Lew, and one of these days I'll be calling on you for a solar and battery upgrade!

lewster · 03-14-2015, 01:37 PM

Just pick your vacation spot: Floruda

Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

lewster · 03-14-2015, 01:38 PM

Oops ! Damn phones!!!!

FL in winter and OR in summer. Tough choice!!!!!!

Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

Greg@AirLA · 03-14-2015, 04:26 PM

Sorry I don't have a picture, but wait to you see where they put them now, should have a nice road debris/snow build-up on them very quickly.

Greg

kaylorsan · 03-14-2015, 05:46 PM

Here's the thread that I just used to replace the house batteries in my 2012 EXT

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...up-109319.html

Seems like battery box sizes are different even within the same models and year. I was just able to squeeze in 2 of the LifeLine GPL-4CT 6Volt batteries. I was hoping to use the 6CT's, however there was no way they would fit. On the bright side, access to my box was very easy; just pull back the vertical carpet and remove the screws on the cover plate.

As recommended by others on this forum, I got my batteries from Mark at Centex. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The price was great, and he spent a fair amount of time before and after the purchase helping me understand things. I got the 2 batteries delivered for $598.

Everything is working well so far (they have only been installed for a week).

My biggest issue with the old batteries was that they couldn't sit thru a month of indoor storage. I'm pretty anal retentive with phantom loads that drain my batteries while in storage. Seems like my biggest culprit at this point is my solar panel controller. It always draws a load regardless of what is turned off in the rig for storage. Has anyone considered making that a 'switched' connection? Would that cause issues if it were off while parked in the sun? Where would the 'solar juice' go?

On that note, I have noticed that my solar charger is not always charging when parked in the full sun. At first I thought it was because my batteries were fully charged, but right now I'm at 85% and there are still no charging amps heading to the batteries. My setup is the TrippLite system with SunExplorer solar charger. The weird part, is that it seems to be intermittent; sometimes it shows charging. I thought it might be some of my TrippLite dip switch settings, but that does not appear to be the case.

In the big picture, my issue will be short lived. I'm about to buy a new inverter and 2 more solar panels (going to remove the TV antenna). I just need to put the time in to figure out what components to buy (inverter, panels, solar charger, etc). Looks like all of the needed info is here in the forums. I just need to spend some time digging thru them.

BTW, I also spent the time to wire a switch in a new switch for the propane. Once again the forum was a lot of help. It's a minor change, but something about having control of the propane from the inside really makes me happy....

2012 Interstate EXT

kaylorsan · 03-14-2015, 05:57 PM

As a follow up to my above post, I just took off the cover in the back and gained access to my solar controller. The LED on it shows a full a full charge (versus partial or low). My actual battery voltage is 12.49; not exactly full. Anyone have thoughts on why this may be?

My guess is that since the controller is seeing a full charge, it is not supplying power to recharge the batteries.

2012 Interstate EXT