Where to buy new batteries? Battery Recommendations?

[Stews]

Hi,
You all told me on a previous thread that I probably need now batteries for my 2016 Classic. I've attached a side and top picture of what I currently have that came with the new As. Lifeline AGM deep cycle. Any recommendations on the best batteries to buy? Where to buy? My local RV repair guy (who I like so far) sells Interstate for about $150 each. I'm not too worried about price, just want something reliable and will last if I take care of them. Bryan Stewart

[glcmranger]

Before you buy ANY battery,,,,, upgrade that POS OEM Converter. I'd go with Lithium ION batteries,,, specifically Battleborn. Call Randy at www.bestconverter...... tell him you need a Progressive Dynamics Upgrade to accommodate Lithium ION charging profile.
There is a ton of threads on this forum.... read up!

[pcskier]

You'll be hearing it, but you asked!
So many options. Just replace the AGMs you have, and take care of them. Switch to 6V golf cart batteries like Trojan T105s...more amp hours, true deep cycle. Good old Interstates, and replace them every year or two (unless you really baby them). Then sure, there's Lithium Ion...at $1,000 apiece--and generally a little more complicated as most people choose to relocate them to the interior of the trailer.

Hard to tell you what to do also without knowing your needs. Lots of power? Off the grid much, or mostly plugged in at campsites? Solar, if so, how many watts on the roof? Much inverter usage? And so on.

Maybe a description of your camping 'style' will help hone in the advice a bit.


Lastly, one of the best things you can do is install a full battery cutoff switch; or be sure to remove the positive battery wire when trailer is not in use; you didn't mention how you store your trailer, but if it's not plugged in or not on a trickle charger, and you just use the "use/disconnect" switch, you are constantly running your batteries down due phantom loads, which kills them quickly.

[jeffmc306]

Bryan, the Interstates are likely not AGM batteries but flooded-acid. AGM's require no maintenance while flooded-acid require frequent checking and adding water.

Your Classic likely has solar since you've got the Lifeline batteries (part of the solar package). They are not cheap.

Before you toss them, you should consider having them professionally tested by a reputable battery shop. Contact Lifeline directly first and ask them for recommendations.

If you do need new batteries, Lifeline is one of the better AGM brands but I'm sure other posters will offer some options.

[GMFL]

Your LifeLines have a 60 month prorated warranty. I would contact LifeLine Directly. You can ask to speak to Justin Godber

[Stews]

Thanks for the advice. Our style of camping: I store the Airstream inside a building on my property in WA State. It rarely gets below freezing, but I take the batteries out in the Winter and put them on a trickle charge. The storage building has no electricity, but I can get an extension cord up there if I want to. Our AS has a cut off switch for the batteries or storage switch. We take about six trip a year, maybe a third without hookups. Bryan

[mkcurtiss]

Originally Posted by Stews

Thanks for the advice. Our style of camping: I store the Airstream inside a building on my property in WA State. It rarely gets below freezing, but I take the batteries out in the Winter and put them on a trickle charge. The storage building has no electricity, but I can get an extension cord up there if I want to. Our AS has a cut off switch for the batteries or storage switch. We take about six trip a year, maybe a third without hookups. Bryan

if you regularly run your batteries down, deep cycle is the way to go. .....It sounds to me like the problem a lot of people have is they are using a crappy low tech charger that cooks their batteries to death.....Those things are not expensive, and with a good one, you can leave your camper plugged in to power all the time, and they keep the batteries in perfect condition.

[Rich W]

My son and I have bought AGMs from Powerstride; good prices, quick ship. I bought a regular wet cell starting battery and it was a mess when it arrived and the battery was DOA. Powerstride refunded my money. Replace with Lifelines, same size as you have now.

https://www.powerstridebattery.com/

[Stews]

Thanks so much GMFL. I called Justin at Lifeline Batteries and he prorated the warranty and I have new batteries on the way. So easy!

[Northerngirl]

Originally Posted by Stews

Thanks for the advice. Our style of camping: I store the Airstream inside a building on my property in WA State. It rarely gets below freezing, but I take the batteries out in the Winter and put them on a trickle charge. The storage building has no electricity, but I can get an extension cord up there if I want to. Our AS has a cut off switch for the batteries or storage switch. We take about six trip a year, maybe a third without hookups. Bryan

I have a similar storage situation so I purchased a 15W solar panel for trickle charging and mounted it outside and run the cable back inside to the trailer. Works great at keeping the batteries topped up in storage, even in the winter.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Stews

Thanks so much GMFL. I called Justin at Lifeline Batteries and he prorated the warranty and I have new batteries on the way. So easy!

That’s great to hear.
What a concept. A company standing behind the product.
Congrats on the NEW Batteries.
Now let’s make sure you have a 4 stage charger and take care of them.

[waninae39]

the new direction is lion battery
much more capacity.
longer life,
much lower weight/AH
goes down to 10% vs 50% capacity usage

google battle born
that is what we have been using for 2 years

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Stews

Thanks so much GMFL. I called Justin at Lifeline Batteries and he prorated the warranty and I have new batteries on the way. So easy!

Good decision...treated correctly they WILL last and work very well. Ours lasted 11 Seasons.
The recommendations for a converter is a solid one.
This one is working well for us, won't break the bank and can be adjusted for Lithium if you decide to go that route down the road.

If your Classic battery compartments are the same as ours, (that stupid hinge lip that makes battery removal all but impossible).
This little mod should help...those Lifelines can be difficult.😂

Good Luck..

Bob
🇺🇸

[TBRich]

I just replaced our two Lifeline AGM Batteries, GPL-24T (that is, Group 24)...I got 7.5 years out of the last set and 6 years out of the original set. They have served us very well. The BEST price I could fine was BestConverters.com...they were the same price I paid for them 7 years earlier (from a different local supplier who no longer around). We have done biz with them before when we upgraded our converter to a multi-stage, and way back when we bought our Pressure Pro Tire Presure Monitor System. They do charge shipping, but even with the shipping it was less than I could find anywhere else (even those offering free s shipping). It took 3 days to get the USPS Priority.

[duckdave]

+1 BestConverter.com http://www.bestconverter.com