Time for house batteries need advice

[Dthomas9572]

Hello All,

It is time to replace my house batteries. I have 2 Trace 4024 inverters currently with 8 big house batteries. They are NAPAs and I want go with Lifelines. Any recommendations on how to proceed.

Thanks

[Donnie Myers]

What year and conversion? Are they 8D or 4D?

[truk4u]

If you’re near Sanford, Donnie can fix you up, if not, contact me for your Lifelines, the price will be right. Trans-Specialists RV Batteries

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[Dthomas9572]

Hello,

My conversion is a 1998 Featherlight and I am not sure if 8D or 4 D...I will take a look soon and let you know.

Thanks

[Dthomas9572]

Hello,

I looked and they are NAPA 4D batteries, I have 8 in my 1998 Featherlight conversion. There is about 1 inch of side room which I assume would allow me move up to 8D. I don't do a any dry camping except some overnight stays at a Walmart when on the way to a location.

I would like to be able on my overnights when not on shore power (on cool times when AC is not needed) to be able to have power for my Fridge, chargers ect to be able to run without kicking my generator on.

Thoughts on 4 D vs 8D. I notice Gil, you have said you run 2 batteries and that is enough for the basics. For me it is the budget I want to spend. I do what to go with Lifelines. If I had all the money the world I would get 8 8D batteries, but I need to be conservative.....thanks!!

[Gil_J]

Not sure where I said two would be enough. It could be for a 12V coach, but a 24V coach should probably go with 4 or more 4D or greater batteries. When I reengineered my DC system I went with 4 4D batteries and, for our use, works. FWIW, I run 2 roof airs off of my inverters, but only when the engine is running.

[truk4u]

Dthomas,

This difference between 4D and 8D is the 4D is 8.7” wide and the 8D is 10.9 wide. Height and length is the same, 4D is 210 AH and 8D is 255 AH. The difference in price is 105.00.

[Donnie Myers]

Hello,

I looked and they are NAPA 4D batteries, I have 8 in my 1998 Featherlight conversion. There is about 1 inch of side room which I assume would allow me move up to 8D. I don't do a any dry camping except some overnight stays at a Walmart when on the way to a location.

I would like to be able on my overnights when not on shore power (on cool times when AC is not needed) to be able to have power for my Fridge, chargers ect to be able to run without kicking my generator on.

Thoughts on 4 D vs 8D. I notice Gil, you have said you run 2 batteries and that is enough for the basics. For me it is the budget I want to spend. I do what to go with Lifelines. If I had all the money the world I would get 8 8D batteries, but I need to be conservative.....thanks!!

Do yourself a favor and replace them with 8 4D Lifeline AGM batts. You do not have a separate generator battery and you require the capacity for the system to operate as designed and need the reseve capacity to start the gen when the voltage drops to the autostart set points. DO NOT let someone tell you different. If they do, give them my number 386-473-9078

[Dthomas9572]

Thanks Donnie,

I will replace with the 8 4D as you advise. Jim of VIP speaks so highly of you and your knowledge of Featherlight conversions. I really am making sure I take care of my Trace inverters. Do you have any advise on:

1) Steps to make sure they are protected as I replace the batteries.
2) What setting on the inverters to make sure life of batteries are as good as possible.

I rarely ever let my batteries go down as I usually am driving or plugged in. I do notice that when I take a drive and plug back into shore power the trace goes to bulk charging for a while...is this good on the batteries?

Thanks!

[Donnie Myers]

Thanks Donnie,

I will replace with the 8 4D as you advise. Jim of VIP speaks so highly of you and your knowledge of Featherlight conversions. I really am making sure I take care of my Trace inverters. Do you have any advise on:

1) Steps to make sure they are protected as I replace the batteries.
2) What setting on the inverters to make sure life of batteries are as good as possible.

I rarely ever let my batteries go down as I usually am driving or plugged in. I do notice that when I take a drive and plug back into shore power the trace goes to bulk charging for a while...is this good on the batteries?

Thanks!

If you are a customer of Jim's, he can provide the documentation I created for shutdown and start up procedures for both #1 and #2.

When you plug the coach in or start the gen after it has had no a/c power for a short time, the inverters will always go to bulk. They should not stay in bulk long. If one tends to stay in bulk while the other has switched to float, have Jim give you the documentation I wrote up that shows you step by step how to force the inverter to float.