Deep cycle batterys

[Den]

Curious on what others are using for there coach deep cycle battery. Or what would you change over to, next time around.

db

[junebob]

DEN. Deep cycle batteries.
  Opinions, everybody has one. Bearing that in mind ,I'll give you my experiences for what their worth.  I have tried Les schwab, Cosco, Bi-mart,and several of the other competitive priced brands.[36 t0 48 month coverage]. All with varying degrees of success. All of this catagory of batteries I have found viable ONLY BECAUSE of their generous guarantees. I have gone to the more expensive,longer lasting ,high quality types,[primarily Interstate.brand.]  This quality of battery just plainly has more, bigger lead  cells.and More acid capacity, Their longer life and reliable service makes them the best deal long term.  :roll: Opinion. ALSO remember. Two batteries in parrallel are better than one. And that applies to ANY batteries.Since we went to this arrangement two years back We have never had our furnace or other electrical use flatten the coach batteries. As to the chassis battery, I have been told ,And I believe that A deep cycle battery is not the best choice for engine,head lights etc. Instead I favor a regular, top quality, automotive unit . One reason for this.The two different types of batteries have very different charging characteristics. The deep cycle taking longer to charge resulting in your alternator [when driving] Can conceivably over charge your chassis battery before your house batteries are fully charged. The heat created in overcharging is very tough on battery life. Anyone out there that can or will refute me here, Please do!   I,m open to learning anything there is to know about the Clipper. Bob Chaney

[handyman]

Bob you are right on all accounts never use a deep cycle battery for  the engine heres why a regular battery is designed to give a quick jump to start the engine then the alt charges it back up where a deep cycle is made to be drawn down and recharged again and again both are charged from the alt and both get anywhere from 13.6 to 14.2 the regulator wont allow them to go further so even when the starting battery is full the house battery will contenue to charge untell it's toped off. Heres another thing alot of people don't know once the engine starts everthing runs off the alt the only time the battery might come back into use is when your at a stop light and you have your light heater or air cond on and at idle then the alt can't keep up with the drain thats why some times your head lights dim a little when you stop   P.S. if you use a deep cycle for the engine it can't be exersiced if it can't be drawn down then they dye a early death Die Hards are another good battery with great warrantys

[Den]

Thanks. That's all I was looking for was opinions. I know everyone has a different one, that's fine. Was just looking for a consensus. My dual golf cart batteries just died, and I don't know if I want to go that route again. I've seen and read about the Optima battery, however I don't know anyone personally that has used one and at 200.00 I don't want to be the guinea pig. I was at Sears the other day and was looking at the deep cycle Die hards, I think I'll give that a try. Here's another question for ya. They had a small one for half price the largest one was triple the price however I can get it to fit. Do I want to go with the largest that will fit ?

Thanks

P.S- I know not to use deep cycle for starting, just wish the previous owner did.

[handyman]

Den if you have golf cart battereys in there now go back to them they have twice the power of regular 12 volt batters check out the labels before you change  

[Andy Illes]

Yup, I agree 1001% on the golf cart batteries for the coach!!!  The only thing better is a forklift battery, except they're usually 24v.  As already noted, the only thing with deep-cycle ones is that they DO need to be almost totally discharged before each recharging, or else their life will be drastically cut - just the opposite of engine batteries.  Don't understand why... but that's just how it seems to be.  That's also why, as also noted, they make lousy engine batteries.... they don't (usually) get discharged like that.  For whatever it's worth.  Andy

[Conrad]

Auto batts are designed to deliver lots of AMPs for a short duration to the starter motor which needs to turn over the engine.  If you have ever tried to manually roll an engine using the front crankshaft bolt you know will have an example of the force needed.  Even with the starter's small gear and the engines large flywheel, a lot of torque energy is required.

Deep cycles are designed to deliver a much lower Amperage output for a longer duration.  Typical loads on deep cycle batts are indoor lamps, flourescents (sp?), water pumps etc.  All which are considered low power consuming devices.

The batt will charge up when going down the road, i.e. engine running.  Assuming that the batter solenoid is working.

I use a standard deep cycle batt.  I charge it with a battery charger (not the charger in the motorhome) and recharge it when needed.  When i winterize it I disconnect the deep cycle and just use shore power.  I have had mine for over 3 years now with no problems.

[alhnelson]

I also recommend golf cart batteries for the coach/house batteries, specifically sets of 6 volt Trojan T-105s. We don't use them in our Clipper, only because with the generator, there isn't enough convenient space. However, we have been using a set of eight T-105s in series parallel, with switching on our 50' sailboat for 12 years (880 ah total). They are rated at 220 amp-hours each, so a pair in series gives 12 volts at 220 ah. They are hard to beat for price, capacity, and durability. If you have the room (i.e. no generator), one pair would give you a nice capacity for a Clipper.

As far as Optima goes, we use a small Optima glass mat battery as a start battery for the diesel engine on the boat and it does a great job of cranking, especially for its small size. Would recommend as a start battery but I also think just a standard start battery works fine. I also agree that you definintely should have deep cycles for the coach and not for the starting battery.

Regards, Al

[EKS]

The coach battery box was corroded and needed replacing. Optima makes a high capacity deep cycle battery that is completely sealed. Removed the battery box, put the battery under the sink and sealed off the battery door. Turned out the corroded battery box was the source of much of the wind noise. Very happy with the Optima (not cheap) deep cycle battery. Solar panel and vented catalytic instead of forced air draws much less power so I can camp for much longer in Montana's cold weather.