Batteries - Bang for the buck/weight?

pods8

pods8

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I need to get some battery action going for my rig sooner or later. I've been reading and it sounds like AGM batteries have alot of advantages over normal wet cell batteries and all that. However not knowing the pricing, weight, amp hours, etc. on all these off hand does anyone have a good feeling for where you're going to get a good bang for the buck, amp hour, life, weight? Talking type and brand (sources for them) here.

I'll be looking to mount the batteries on the vehicle frame so gas issues aren't a worry but I also don't want to have to crawl under alot to maintain fluid levels. What say the wisdom of the board?

Edit: For example I can snag one of these batteries at a local place for $95 and its a 105 AH. http://www.exide.com/products/marine_rv/nautilus_gold.html Seems like I could run two of these for the same price as a 55AH optima for instance and have quadruple the capacity. Would I be seeing alot less life out of these for instance?
 
Batteries

I chose to use two Group 31 deep cycle marine batteries in my Grandby. Mine are mounted side by side under front seat in the camper on the right side. I leave the right front turnbuckle door off to provide ventilation. I chose the deep cycle marine batts for several reasons, 1. Cost: very reasonable at Costco, 2. High capacity, 3. Easy to maintain, 4. Available just about anywhere. I have a 1500 watt inverter that runs a microwave, and an Engel 45 Refer/freezer that runs on 12 volts. Just added a furnace for more 12 volt load so I need lots of battery capacity. My truck is a diesel, so comes equipped with dual batteries. I have a Perco switch that allows me to directly parallel all 4 batteries if needed, although it hasn't been necessary yet. Instead of the small wire for the camper to truck wiring, I replaced it with #6 wire run through a 70 amp breaker and directly to the truck batteries. Used a 125amp power pole connector for the camper to truck wiring. Also installed in the camper is a small (10 amp) "smart" marine charger that keeps the batteries up while connected to shore power. I carry a small 1KW Yamaha generator, but have yet to actually need it.

Well I guess that's more than you really wanted to know...don't ask me the time :)
 
What brand are you using? I run two Interstat Workaholic group 31 batteries. Tons of power. These are "wet" type batteries.
 
A few lessons I have learned about batteries.

I use 2 crown 6 volt batteries wired in series you get longer hours of use this way compared to a 12volt battery.These our mounted under the couch and have a voltage meter to moniter levels.There easy to get to and vented out the turnbuckle port.This system works good and I have enough power to run about any 110 device with my 1500 watt inverter as well as lights for a while.It all depends on use thou.

There our issues with both types of batteries. maintaince with water and venting on water filled lead acid type or overfrying and cost of the agm and gel kind so you just have to keep an eye on there levels.One perk to the agm kind is you don't need to vent them but they our less forgiving for over charging and have a lower voltage acceptence.

As far as where to buy?I found out that there our battery shops that sell used agm deep cycle batteries in perfect shape with a 1 year warranty for about $30 a peice.I asked the guy at the used battery store why so cheap and he said they had alot of them and people get rid of them if there in a accident ect..So might be worth calling around if you don't want to pay a ton like me ,I bought mine new and now I know the cheap way for next time.

Also buy a smart charger that won't over charge your battery . It knows when to turn down to a trickle charge all by itself .Use it when your truck is not charging them and never let the battery get to low or freeze.

All this battery talk really boils down to what our your needs for power.our you wanting a power plant to run all your tech gear or just a light and some tunes.
 

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There our issues with both types of batteries. maintaince with water and venting on agm or overfrying and cost of the gel kind so you just have to keep an eye on there levels.
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AGM batteries are sealed and don't outgas. You don't need to ever fill them, in fact you can't. They don't need to be in a vented area.

I think you meant flooded lead-acid batteries, and thats what you have in the picture. They need to be in a vented area and need to be filled periodically. But they are the cheapest type, and easy to find.

I am fond of the AGM types. I have some older LifeLine batteries that I bought used and they are still working fine. They are available at many solar power outlets. My favorite is Arizona Wind & Sun (http://store.solar-electric.com). They are not cheap, however.

Gel batteries are not a good idea IMO. Your truck's charging system will overcharge them a little and shorten their life.
 
I have a similar setup to snow hunter. I built a box under the couch for mine and vented them out the front of the camper. We now have enough power to run for 2 days without starting the engine. We can run whatever we need, charge computers, cameras, hairdryer (yes... my wife showered and dried her hair in the valley of the gods!) :)

I'll post some pics this weekend. (of the battery setup, not my wife showering!)

Kyle
 
I found out that there our battery shops that sell used agm deep cycle batteries in perfect shape with a 1 year warranty for about $30 a peice.I asked the guy at the used battery store why so cheap and he said they had alot of them and people get rid of them if there in a accident ect..So might be worth calling around if you don't want to pay a ton like me ,I bought mine new and now I know the cheap way for next time.

All this battery talk really boils down to what our your needs for power.our you wanting a power plant to run all your tech gear or just a light and some tunes.

What shops did you find in WA selling used AGM? Perhaps worth checking out.

My power draws are going to be heater in the winter and lighting, no plans for a microwave and such. :p I'll likely look into building a dual battery tray to mount on the frame even if I only start with one battery.

How much maintenance is actually required on the lead acid batteries? (ie how often do you need to check them)? If I frame mount the batteries I'm not going to want to be under there every couple weeks toping them up with water however if its every 6mo or so that would be more reasonable.

To start with I'll mainly just rely on the alternator of the truck keeping things maintained as they'd be constantly charged off it and would get topped off going to/from each weekend outing and any driving between.
 
Pods
I found a battery shop called beacon battery worth checking there up near the border in blaine .He said they sell deep cycle for this price.
Also try salvage and junkyards they seem to get the wrecked rvs.

I check the levels of volts alot. water levels on my crown lead/acid about every three weeks but I forgot for awhile and they got low with water.
so you do have to check them at least every 4 weeks I would think.

checking and filling water might be a pain if there mounted under the truck if you can't get to them easy.Also the batteries might get beat up if there under there,maybe if you had a vented box to put them in but you would have to ask someone else in the know.
 
I have to replace the battery in my truck and have a Optima Blue top in the Hawk that could fit. I am thinking I would like a higher (longer?) Amp Hour battery for the camper and eventually (this spring) put a dual system in with solar.

We will be full timing in the camper all summer and need power for laptops, stereo and internet.

Ben from ATC mentioned a AGM battery that the preferred but I can't find the post.

Is putting the blue top in the truck and a new lager capacity AGM in the camper a good idea or not?

Thanks,

Kevin
 
Some of the better AGM batteries are the Odyssey batteries. They are rebranded under the sears name and are easy to get. Nice warranty. But they are expensive. largest is the group 31. They don't make a group 27 which is what i need in my truck. sucks.

Check out sears and see what you find.

I like the idea of putting batteries outside of the camper. saves space. Mine 2 batteries are under the hood, but could put another under the bed, in the frame one day. Just another project.

dave/seattle
 
I have an Odyssey group 31 under the front seat of my Granby. Been in there for 5+ years with no problems. It was expensive but it would have taken 2 Optimas to equal the amp hr rating - if I recall around 1200 but I could be mistaken. I'm not a heavy power user but I've run lights & an occassional burst of the furnace for 7 days & still had plenty of power. My system is definitly the KISS method as I just charge it when the truck is running through a sylinoid that you can pick up at any RV store. I did run 10 gauge wire for the charge cicuit so it would get pretty much all the juice the alternator is going to give it.

Doug
 
snow hunter warning called off.

Les,
Thanks for looking out.:thumb:
yes that is a old photo I have peices of wood holding each battery snug and that screw was taken out.Also when couch goes down there snug with no movement. I have mildly tested this on ruts,washboard and small jumps.in the mountains of Washington;)
 
No Odyssey Dealers in Utah?

I checked the Odyssey web site and they don't show a dealer in Utah. Any one know of a Utah source or a comparable battery? I don't have time for shipping.

Kevin
 
I'd definitely (and did on mine) go agm if you're putting them in the camper. Ever see an old neglected battery? Or one thats been overcharged? Not what I want inside my camper. I agree a couple 6volters are cheaper and more capacity, but I wouldn't use unless I had good space outside the camper and they were readily serviceable.
 
ATC Battery

ATC uses the Interstate model DCM 0075 battery in their campers. It is a agm deep cycle group 24 size wheelchair battery. Mine has held up well.
Dsrtrat
 
Odyssey batteries are rebranded as Sears batteries!!!!
you should be able to get these anywhere there is a sears!!!

dave
 
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