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.