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Thread: Deka Intimadator House Batteries TEST

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Concord,NC
    Posts
    66

    Default Deka Intimadator House Batteries TEST

    2001 H345 VANTARE- Gave the 7/5/11 replacement house batteries a test while dry camping, a full charge, 28 degrees @ night and only the refrigirator in service along with other unknown devices that may draw from the house batteries and 30 minute period using gallery, salon & state room lights. See the attached manuf data sheet for spec`s. Results were:

    4:30pm= 25.8 VDC
    10:00pm= 25.2VDC
    8:00am= 24.6VDC
    12:00pm= 25.0VDC
    5:00pm= 24.6VDC
    7:30pm= 24.4VDC


    Total = 1.4VDC voltage drop entire period. Comparing to the attached manuf data after abt 15hrs they were close to 50% discharged.

    Anyone ever did a similarDeka AGM Intimdator Batteries.pdfCharging Voltages.pdf test with Lifeline or Gel batteries for comparison ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Jasper
    Posts
    3,775

    Default

    I routinely get 24 hours out of the Lifelines while dry camping before reaching 50% SOC using minimum loads and mine are 5 years old. I didn't have that success with Deka's, after 3 years they were toast and well past the 1 yr warranty. Lifeline's warranty is 1st year 100% and then prorated for 5 years.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Lufkin
    Posts
    401

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    We use DEKA batteries on our 65' Hatteras with great success and since our friend in Dallas always has them in stock at great prices we bought them for our bus to replace the existing DEKA batteries that were 6-7 years old and shot. The sensors on the batteries weren't even attached properly... no telling how long they had been that way. The new ones have been in service for eighteen months... so far so good. They say they are good if you treat them right !! We will see ...
    Having said that about them lasting 6-7 years ...we have NO idea what kind of problems they may have presented for the previous owner... they were really bad when we bought the bus.
    I know the Lifelines are great batteries... it will be interesting to see how these DEKA's do. Our friend swears by them and says he'll replace them if necessary !!

    Larry & Diane Byrd
    Lufkin Texas.
    2005 Liberty Elegant Lady H3-45
    1998 Vantare H3-45 D/S SOLD
    2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4WD

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Concord,NC
    Posts
    66

    Default

    What a difference. Sounds like Lifelines are worth the $$ when replacing. I`m 90% of the time connected to shore power so I`m curious how long these will go. Appreciate the info Tom.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Houma, LA
    Posts
    1,783

    Default

    My 6 Lifelines were installed January 2006 so this coming January they will be 6 years old. Still going strong. I have never equalized them - I figured I screw something up if I tried it.

    I like 'em!
    Tuga & Karen Gaidry

    2012 Honda Pilot

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, FL
    Posts
    24

    Default

    My house batteries are shot. They drop to less than 10volt within a minute of going off line. I have my charges turned down to 10.5 float in an attempt to keep from ruining the chargers. I found these local to me. Comments appreciated whether it's worth it to save a few bucks over Lifeline.

    The price for the AGM4D is $325.00 each, plus tax. Batteries are in stock.

    The brand of the battery is Gel Tech, made by East Penn Manufacturing.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Boerne, Texas
    Posts
    401

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Abaco View Post
    My house batteries are shot. They drop to less than 10volt within a minute of going off line. I have my charges turned down to 10.5 float in an attempt to keep from ruining the chargers. I found these local to me. Comments appreciated whether it's worth it to save a few bucks over Lifeline.

    The price for the AGM4D is $325.00 each, plus tax. Batteries are in stock.

    The brand of the battery is Gel Tech, made by East Penn Manufacturing.
    I believe you will find East Penn Mfg. makes DEKA as well. I cannot speak to Lifeline vs DEKA in terms of quality/reliability, but the mfg. is/was the largest mfg. of these type batteries in the states (world?), when I did my research before buying mine. Additionally, the mid-charge level ampacity in the literature provided by both Lifeline and DEKA (Intimidator) suggests the Deka is slightly better, for that particular parameter. If, however, I had it to do over again, I would not buy a gel type battery, because my house batteries are located in the engine bay and I have been convinced, by Jon, that gels are not suitable for the temperature environment there. I was ultimately persuaded by the blast furnace heat suffered by them while in Indio in the dead of summer (113) though they are still functioning well, at this point.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Kansas City, MO
    Posts
    497

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    I had Lifelines installed in May 2010. There was no other choice to consider for my Marathon. Their customer service has repeatedly been mentioned as "beyond expectations". The classic in customer support was the Lifeline dealer (aka blood sucking weasel) who stuck his customer with old stock and refused to fix the problem.
    With all of the little things that need attention with regular bus operation, I want the best service parts.

    We all know who to call for Lifelines.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Lufkin
    Posts
    401

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    I would go with the "proven" Lifelines from our own "proven" POG member !!

    No 2 ways about it.

    I would have done that 18 months ago had I known !

    Larry & Diane Byrd
    Lufkin Texas.
    2005 Liberty Elegant Lady H3-45
    1998 Vantare H3-45 D/S SOLD
    2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV 4WD

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Lake Thunderbird, Putnam, Illinois
    Posts
    467

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    Who makes the Lifelines ? They are the resale's, re-brand , right ?
    Anybody to correct me ?

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