Replacement Battery

[Homer3]

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

You needing chassis or coach batteries?
If for coach be sure they are true deep cycle, not dual purpose or marine type.
If there's CCA, CA or MCA numbers listed on the top they are not true deep cycle batteries. You want group 24, 27 or 31 batteries with the most aH (amp hours) that will fit into your battery compartment. Coach batteries typically last 4-5 years if water levels are maintained, topped off with distilled water & not allowed to be discharged below 50% too often.
If the chassis battery is needed you want the most CCA or CA (cold cranking amps or cranking amps) you can find. Chassis batteries should last 5-7+ years like most any other vehicle you've owned.

[Bob Denman]

Next question is "Flooded; or AGM"?

[Homer3]

Thanks! It's the coach battery, group 27.

[Bob Denman]

I've got 27s in mine. A pair of 31s will just fit; they'll give me between 15%; and 20% more capacity

[MJC62]

Originally Posted by Homer3

Thanks! It's the coach battery, group 27.

Most come with 27. Measure the OEM battery to be sure and as Bob said if you can go bigger by all means go bigger.
Asking what are the best batteries is a very diverse topic. A lot of the answer depends on how you use your rig.
I have two 27 flooded in my ACE. For the few nights of dry camping we do at any one time they suffice for us.
If you are into extended boon docking and don't want to run your genny for long periods recharging I would look into possibly going AGM's.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

I purchased two Costco Interstate FLA Deep Cycle 2.5 years ago to power the House (not for the chassis)
They are connected to my 300watt solar system
I boon-dock frequently using my inverter
So they charge and put out power, just like a deep cycle is meant for.
The only maintenance is keeping them watered properly

And if these two go out any time soon, I’m ok with purchasing two more.
They’re cheap, they fit under my steps without any modifications, and they have performed for me.

[Bob Nodine]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

The most common reasons for flooded lead acid batteries to fail is the lack of maintenance or discharging them below 50%. I learned the hard way that letting the water level get below the plates is going to kill the batteries. For years now I have maintained a reminder that repeats once a month in a calendar app reminding me to check the water level. They cost a little more but I would suggest you get AGM batteries and then you want have to worry about the water level in the batteries.

Bob

[paulwadley]

I replaced both of my FLA coach batteries with FLA batteries but I added the Flow-Rite dual battery watering system. It makes watering them easy. No more removing the caps and filling each cell. Plus the system tops them to the top of each cell without overflow. If you go with that watering system, be sure to also buy the hand squeeze pump for that system.

Paul

[Bob Denman]

Since I'm REALLY lazy : I'm going with AGMs this time around.

[Chateau29Z]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

I have 2 deep cycle Interstate golf cart 6 volt batteries in my RV and they are 6+ years old. One of these just is showing a dead cell.

[Danny boy]

Bob,

Is there any issue going to an AGM battery as far as the charging system in the RV is concerned? Does it take a special charger?

Dan

[paulwadley]

If you are using solar to charge the house batteries and switch to AGM, your solar charger will need to be switched to the AGM charging mode if it has one.


Paul

[Reid]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

Interstate has a new deep cycle battery for RVs in different sizes...called EFB and is warranted for two years. We will go with this one on next battery purchase for our Freedom Elite.

[bustin]

A friend toured a battery factory in Mexico. They slapped on lables for several companies on the same batteries AND the 12 month, 36 month, etc. lables on those SAME batteries. That helped me decide before buying my next battery.

[Bob Denman]

[QUOTE=Danny boy;279969]Bob,

Is there any issue going to an AGM battery as far as the charging system in the RV is concerned? Does it take a special charger?
Dan[/QUOTE
Nope: no charging issues.

[Reid]

Originally Posted by bustin

A friend toured a battery factory in Mexico. They slapped on lables for several companies on the same batteries AND the 12 month, 36 month, etc. lables on those SAME batteries. That helped me decide before buying my next battery.

I think your friend may be misinformed. Per Interstate, "If a battery is manufactured in Mexico it is required by law to have a sticker on the top of it that says “Made in Mexico”. If there is not sticker, it is made in the USA.”

The new Interstate RV batteries have more cranking amps than standard deep cycle batteries in same size (24, 27, etc) at not much higher price. They advertise that you get twice the cycle life. Seems like a good choice to me.

[TerryJames]

Just info. … we’re about to change out our House Batteries on our 2017 Axis 25.2. Chatted with Thor Customer support and received the attached info. We’ll be going with 2 x Duracell SLI27MDC Group 27 12 volt deep cycle ( This battery is not recommended for cranking. That’s only deep cycle … not for cranking … or for a combination cranking / deep cycle)

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Homer3

What is the best replacement battery? Costco sells Interstate for reasonable price but reviews say that they don't last more than a year. This is the original battery from when we bought our Freedom Elite in May 2015.

Appreciate your input and advice.

I changed the batteries in our 2018 Windsport29m after almost 3 years. They were flooded batts and I got the AGM style from my NAPA store. I was underwhelmed at the length of time they stayed above 12 volts for double the price AND they never seemed to fully charge. I returned them and got The group 27 Marine & Derp Cycle batts and they are great. I also got the system that you plug into the top fill holes and fill by a hand pump. LOVE IT!!! So easy and keeps them perfectly full.!!!!! Bob Trice

[paulwadley]

Hi Bob Trice
I too installed the Flow Rite dual battery watering system on my two flooded lead acid house batteries. It makes life easier to fill both batteries at the same time. No more removing the caps and filling each cell.

Paul