I've Been Pricing Batteries

[Journeyone144]

I've been given House Battery Prices anywhere from
171.29 each with old battery from Van Winkle Napa on Rt.88 Pt. Pleasant, NJ...and
418.32 wuth no credit for old battery...from Lee Battery Manasquan, NJ...
Napa says their battery's don't say AGM on them anywhere but they are Group 4D's...and they also say they are giving me the same battery's I showed them the pictures I took of my batteries are..
Lee says their battery's do say AGM and they are also Group 4D's...

Jon and anyone with an opinion...kindly express it for me...

These are the only two places in my area that sell bus, truck, and marine batteries...

This such a drastic difference in price...I'm shocked...What say you, Please...

Hugs Always Viv aka Journey One' Cruisesr...
Prevost 1988 Le Mirage XL

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Viv,

I assume you are considering replacing house batteries. While it may seem as simple as driving to a battery store and replacing your batteries I have found there is more to it than that.

You mentioned you thought your inverter wasn't working right. Since that is your battery charger when the bus is on shore power or generator power step one is to verify it is functioning as it should. The quickest way to ruin a set of expensive batteries is to let them go dead so you need to insure the inverter is working and the bus alternator is working. They may be doing just fine, but are you willing to risk the price of a set of batteries and maybe roadside service?

The next thing you have to decide is what kind of batteries you want. There are lead/acid batteries that must be maintained regularly by checking the level of the fluid and adding distilled water if required. To my way of thinking unless your house batteries are right where you can see and service them lead acid might not be the best choice. The next option is gel. These do not require service and have some advantages. They are expensive. The last option is an AGM battery, which also does not require maintenance and has some advantages. They are also expensive.

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/01.Type/index.html
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Bat...ting%20battery
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvbatteries.php

The above sites have excellent information and you really need to study the options available to you. I use AGM others use Gel, and others still use lead / acid.

Once you decide on the type of battery you want and have verified your charging systems are functioning, find someone who will install them. It is not as simple as pulling the old ones out and putting in the new ones. If you have a 12/24 house system the new ones must be installed exactly as the old ones were. If you have a straight 12V house system there is not much an installer can screw up, but the installer has to be sure to use good or new cable clamps, make sure all fittings including grounds are clean and tight, and that the inverter is set up for charging the specific battery type you have selected. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE INVERTER CHARGER IS SET UP WITH THE RIGHT PROTOCOL FOR CHARGING THE BATTERIES YOU HAVE CHOSEN.

I would recommend AGM batteries and specifically Lifeline because they appear to provide the best service life. If you are looking for the cheapest batteries lead acid are the way to go, but remember you must check fluid levels and be very much alert to corrosion in the battery area and on terminals. For that reason I don't recommend that type.

Battery prices vary significantly. Make sure you are buying what you think you are buying and that all the batteries have exactly the same date code. That is important.

[Journeyone144]

I read it all Jon...copied the 3 URL's....Will go to each... I have never had a new car...or a new coach...or much of anything brand new...but I've learned by living and I have a taste for the best even tho' I have to make do with almost always second hand...That's fine with me...
The last Christmas my husband Leo was alive he wanted to buy me a new Dodge...We had a big argument...I wanted a used Caddy...He gave in...I was happy with my 93 Caddy...After he passed away and I really needed a newer car I went looking for a Lincoln...and got a 96 Lincoln Signature Series Town car that I'm still driving today...and very happy with it ...

Can I maybe find used batteries somewhere with 3 or 4 years of life left in them...????!!!!

Now don't get mad at me...just funnin' you... I know there are some things I have to buy new...Like Batteries and Lite Bulbs...and I'm finding wih the Bus Custom Made...Curio Cabinets...Done...but need improvement...

I do want the best because I know they will serve me best...never the cheapest...just the cheapest price of the best...but I bet it could be done if they could come from a wrecked Bus...smile

The Website here won't let me type...I just lost a whole big letter...it jumps when I click my mouse...so I have to use the arrows to get where I need to go...tough to do ...but at least my sense of humor is taking hold again ...and I want to drive my bus some more ....

I won't buy any Batteries until I know I'm getting the right ones...I would like to find the exact same ones I have but I think they're not being made anymore ...no one had them...so far...but they sure did serve the bus well...didn't they ...I'm sooo pleased at how it's performed...I absolutely love driving it...I've even found a way to get it up into my driveway with out dragging the bags...I lift up my tag axel and take a wide swing into the yard...It Works Fine...

The Power Cord has to go under the bus to reach the outlet on the house...so I tied a long heavy string to the end of the cord and pull it under the bus...leave that long length of string on the ground and when I come back with the bus I just have to pull the cord back under the bus to get it to the outlet...Works...as well as the pine cones I used in a CG one time when I had to back into a really tight site...I laid a row of pine cones down where I wanted my wheels to ride next to...and put a stick crossways at the point where I needed to stop the back wheel...so I didn't hit the fence behind the RV...lol...Where there's a will there's always a way...
I will find the right Batteries...
Hugs Always Viv...

[Journeyone144]

PS: Forgot to give you the Website to see the Batteries in My Bus...
Hugs Always Viv..
http://sports.webshots.com/album/573...yDEFr?start=60

[Jon Wehrenberg]

You appear to have AGM batteries. I did note some corrosion which would suggest whoever does the replacement that they insure the cables where they enter the terminal are free of corrosion.

AGM batteries, such as sold by Lifeline have a discounted POG price. You have to contact Lifeline and advise them you are a POG member and would like the discount. They will ship them to you or refer you to a dealer. I'm not sure how it works.

If you go with AGM, even though you are replacing like batteries, refer to the owner's manual for the inverter and make sure the charging protocol is properly set up. It will increase your battery life.

[Journeyone144]

Sounds awfully good Jon,
I'll write Lifeline Monday...After I do get the batteries or make an arrangement to get them, Unless Lee Battteries get the installation...I'll have to start hunting for who can do it ...Maybe Lifeline will know of someone...I'll be sure to ask them...Lee Batt. who tested them had said they would also install... Napa said they couldn't...
There are several new cables for the batteries already right in the batt. bay...Don really tried to have everything he might have need for ready and waiting ....If he hadn't sold the Bus to me and was able to keep it I'm sure the batteries would have already been replaced...or surely be on his "to do next" list...

In my lifetime I've purchased countless cars, vans, and now with my Bus, 15 RV's...Never did anyone go to sooo much trouble to help me learn about my new purchase...or care anywhere near as much as Don...He was phenomenal...

Always Viv..

Many thanks...Always Viv..

[Journeyone144]

I will Call Lifeline Monday Jon,

There are several new batt. cables in a cache in the batt. bay...Don was prepared for everything...I keep finding out more and more of all he did...The bus was his baby...no doubt...and he did his best to help me try to keep it up...I only hope I can do half what he would have...with the help here I can make a good attempt...sure have learned a lot more than I knew last July 18th...

I'll post all that happens...and do my best to follow all suggestions...

Many Thanks again...Alwaus Viv...

[stevet903]

Viv, I'd bet that the Napa battery is a 4D SIZE battery, but is not an AGM battery, and probably not a deep cycle battery. Since this is a house application, you want a deep cycle type battery. Despite the NAPA battery being a good price, it's likely not what you are looking for. I think the price ranges for a typical lead acid 4D size starting battery are around $200, a 4D size gel battery $300-$400, and a 4D size AGM battery, $400 to $500.

I will second Jon's advice on your battery terminals and cables. They must be clean with no corrosion, or you will have no end of problems with your house systems. I looked through your pictures and have some comments/questions. Your battery cable terminals have open ends at the crimps - this will allow moisture and corrosion to travel into the crimp and cable - you will need to have each cable checked to ensure that the cable ends make a low-resistance connection. How do the house batteries charge? From the picture, the house system is 12V. From the engine picture, I don't see a 12V alternator, and I'd be willing to bet that the engine alternator is a 24V 50DN type. I see a switch on your panel for an inverter, a 12V charger, and a 24V charger. I'd assume that the 24V charger is for the start batteries. Is there a separate 12V charger for the house?
Your inverter looks like an older Heart EMS model, similar to the one I have. If it is like mine, it has a three stage charging system. It does not have adjustable charging parameters. If the parameters are similar to mine, it is not really appropriate for charging gel type batteries, only flooded or AGM type batteries. Can you get the information off of the label on the bottom right side of the inverter so we can be sure?
The wires going into the front of your inverters must be redone as soon as possible - they should have connectors crimped on them and they should be installed under the front cover of the inverter. Bare electrical wires can short and cause a fire!!

Steve

[Journeyone144]

Hi Jon, All, Good Morning...

I couldn't wait until Monday...just needed to rest a bit...back now...
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvflyer.php?id=5
Above is the URL for a Lifeline Battery I believe is closest to the House Batteries in my Bus at this time...Before I write to Lifeline about price...I would like to know if you agree my choice is correct....

I couldn't find the original start about this thread so not knowing what else to do I had to revert to General Chit Chat...

Hope you find it okay...I was just getting used to the old forum when it was changed...Par for any course I tread on...smile...
Always Viv...

[Journeyone144]

Holy Smokes I'm here on POG 3 years already.. Can't believe it's really been that long...
Hugs Always Viv...aka Journey One's Cruiser ...now...