House battery replacement

[grantracy]

I have a couple batteries going bad and at 5 years I guess I should replace the lot. What is the best battery/solution and what should they cost?

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

I think most everyone will agree, Lifeline are the best batteries for our House solution ?

http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/index.htm

Here is a post from several years earlier that I saved, and I think is appropriate now.

"I want to echo what Mike posted. For anyone considering batteries the rage in the early 90's was gel cell and it was frustrating for some.

The environment the batteries are placed in is important in the selection process. If the batteries are in an area where heat is generated, such as near the engine do not use Gel cell because they cannot handle the heat. They will literally explode. For areas such as that flooded cell are best, which is why the coach batteries are likely to be maintenance free flooded cell batteries such as Delco 1150.

Where heat is not an issue AGM or Gel will work, but no matter what is installed the inverters or chargers must be set to the charging protocol. On our inverters, and I assume all inverters there are ways to set the inverter to the charging cycle required by the battery and to limit the voltages as well. AGM for example cannot be charged at the more common voltage of 14.2.

When changing batteries it is important to consider all the necessary conditions."

Gary S.

[garyde]

I replaced my four 8D Gel Cell made by Deka with 4 Lifeline Glass Mat 8D. The Invertor settings were the same so I did not have to re set the invertor/chargers. Liberty stil recommends Gel Cell but I have had no problems since I installed mine about a year and a half ago.

[grantracy]

Is there a source for lifeline batteries that you can recommend? What should I expect to pay?

[merle&louise]

Granvil,

Mark Kerth w/ Centex Batteries in Bastrop, TX (near Austin) 512 308-9002 gave me a quote recently. The price on GPL-8DL Lifeline AGM is $497 each + $29 each freight no tax; $3158 for 6 batteries. They would be drop shipped to me in Houma, LA. I assume the freight to Miami, FL would be a little different. The only other price I received was from Newell and that was $594 each installed.

Tell Kim to be careful when she installs them - they're heavy!

[Toy Box]

Granvil...Try American Battery on state road 84 in Lauderdale....we use them for most all boat needs and they will usually install them if you ask.

[Alek&Lucia]

I agree with Tuga, call Marc,

He claims that he has the lowest delivered price in the country on LifeLine batteries:

Marc Kurth

Centex Batteries, LLC

704 W Highway 71 - Suite B100

Bastrop, TX 78602

Ph 512 308-9002

Fax 877 254-2702

marc@centexbatteries.com

http://centexbatteries.com


Alek

[garyde]

I bought my batteries from the owners of Lifeline when they were sponsors. They shipped them to my office from LA. They were about $400.00 each.

[grantracy]

ok,thanks for all the suggestions. It looks like Lifeline is the way to go.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Granvil,

Critical to the life of the batteries is the charging protocol on the inverters. When you get the batteries you will also get a sheet which specifies the charging voltage for the various stages. If necessary reset the inverters so they are charging at those voltages.

Two things to be aware of. Some inverters automatically go into bulk charge voltage when power is applied to the inverter. That's a good thing especially when dry camping, but if for any reason you are in a situation where shore or generator power is on and off and the batteries really haven't discharged much, the batteries are going into bulk charge with every cycle.

Another thing is if you can, when the bus is in storage just keep the inverters powered up and allow them to stay in float maintaining the batteries. Except for very rare occasions when I was doing some maintenance I kept mine powered up at all times and when I pulled them out after 5.5 years they were still testing good, but were showing their age.

[grantracy]

Thanks Jon...I do leave the inverters powered up....the inverters usually show bulk for a period after I run on the inverters and then switch to float so I am guessing they are charging correctly.

[BenC]

For your Vantare, with SW4024MC2 Trace inverters, the best battery is "hands down" the Lifeline GPL-4DA automotive post is what was installed in your coach if it was built in Sanford, or GPL-4DL or flag terminal, if it was assembled in Oklahoma. Please do the following to accertain which software revision you have in the inverters by going to menu "Trace Engineering 3" menu heading, then hit the Menu Item Down (far left button on the inverter remote panel) until you get to the item that says the software revision you have. It will say either Revision 4.01 Option 1 or Revision 4.01, option 2.2 The charging setting are different for the two revisions. If you have the "Option 1" software, after you finish changing the batteries, you can give me a call and I would be happy to walk you through all the necessary changes that should be made to optimize you battery life by changing the settings to that of the Option 2.2

Owner's Manual Supplement 1, with Option 1 Setpoints/Values: http://www.altestore.com/store/Inverters/Mobile-RV-Inverters/Above-2000-Watts-MobileRV/Xantrex-4000W-Sw4024Mc2-24Vdc-120Vac-Inverter/p2242/pdfs/xantrex/SW2512MC%20&%20SW4024MC2%20Supplement%20One.pdf

Owner's Manual Supplement 2, with Option 2.2 setpoints/values: http://www.altestore.com/store/Inverters/Mobile-RV-Inverters/Above-2000-Watts-MobileRV/Xantrex-4000W-Sw4024Mc2-24Vdc-120Vac-Inverter/p2242/pdfs/xantrex/SW2512MC%20&%20SW4024MC2%20Supplement%20Two.pdf

[grantracy]

Thanks Ben...I will take you up on your offer

[sswindle14260]

There has been a lot of discussion about Lifeline batteries and their pricing. After reading this thread, I ordered Lifeline batteries from Marc Kurth of Centex Batteries in Texas on Tuesday. My batteries were delivered to me today in Alabama. I mentioned that I was a POG member and he said that made the pricing simple and easy . He sold them to me at $475 each plus freight. He mentioned Lifeline was increasing their prices on December 1st and that is anyone needed any new batteries, then this would be a good time to order. See contact information below.

Marc Kurth
Centex Batteries, LLC
704 W Highway 71 - Suite B100
Bastrop, TX 78602
Ph 512 308-9002
marc@centexbatteries.com
http://centexbatteries.com

[rfoster]

Which batterys did you purchase "8D"??? Just curious.

[Gary Carmichael]

Ben, Thank you for all the good info you provide on this forum!

[sswindle14260]

Yes, I purchased 8D's.